Page 4 of Her Maine Distraction

The six-hour drive to Pine Cove goes by rather quickly as I keep my radio up, my coffee cup full, and my mind on the road ahead.

The pine tree lined highway and sun shining above are reviving me, and I can feel the anger and hurt inside of me waning slightly, with a little of the old me filling its spot.

Taking the Pine Cove exit off the interstate, a small smile lifts the corners of my mouth as I roll the windows down, letting the warm summer air fill my car.

I haven’t told anyone that I was coming, and I have just enough time to check into The Pine Cove Inn, change, and get ready for Ally’s art show that starts in an hour. On my first rest stop, I called the Inn, and was lucky enough to get their last room. I completely forgot that it’s Labor Day Weekend and that places are mostly booked up.

Pulling into the parking lot, I look at the Inn with wide eyes. I feel like I’m on a Hallmark movie set. It’s painted a light lavender with dark plum shutters, and purple flower baskets hang from between the posts of the porch. At the end, there’s even a swing bench hanging from the porch’s ceiling that’s beckoning me to sit and sip an iced tea.

Each step leading up to the front door has flower pots on either side bursting with pink and purple flowers, and plush purple and blue hydrangea bushes line the entire front of the porch. It’s colorful, and very Thomas Kinkade, cottage-in-the-woods-painting.

Grabbing just one of my bags from the back seat that I made sure pack my essentials in, I head inside, and a nice woman who looks to be around my age checks me in.

After a quick shower, I dress in a floral maxi dress and nude wedges. I curl my hair in loose waves and apply a light layer of makeup I know will withstand this heat.

By all appearances, I look fine, and it doesn’t look like I just walked in on my boyfriend banging another woman last night. And for that, I’m grateful.

Finding a parking spot on Main Street, I walk leisurely down the block, enjoying the golden hue of the setting sun that’s reflecting off the storefronts.

When I reach the café, I look through the front window and see everyone smiling and laughing, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. Coming here was definitely the best thing for me.

Pulling the door open, the little bells above my head jingle, and Ally looks over, doing a double take when she sees it’s me – a huge smiling breaking out across her face.

“Ellie?”

“Hi.” I smile, and she rushes over to hug me.

“I didn’t know you were coming! Was I supposed to know?”

“No, I didn’t know I was coming until this morning.”

“I’m so glad you’re here!”

“Me too.”

“Come on,” she says, grabbing my hand and dragging me towards Ashley, Mel, and Courtney. “Guys, look who decided to surprise us!”

“Ellie!” they all say together, hugging me.

“How are you?” Courtney asks, smiling. She owns this café, and has folded herself into our friend group nicely since she helped Ally with a job when she first got here. When myself, Mel, and Ash came to visit shortly after she moved here, we all bonded over a drunken night at The Rusty Anchor, Pine Cove’s resident bar/restaurant, and since then, have considered her one of us.

Courtney also has my dream job. For years, I’ve wanted to own my own bakery, be my own boss, and spend my days baking delicious treats that make people smile and feel good.

“Good,” I answer, hoping no one can read through the façade I’m putting up. I don’t want to turn Ally’s night into the Elizabeth breakup show, but I don’t think I can keep it up without some alcohol in me. “I think I may need some wine before we catch up, though.” I smile. “Be right back.”

Walking away, I can feel their confused looks staring after me, but I ignore it. I know they’re wondering why I’m here, and I fully intend on telling them everything, but that’s a conversation best had with a few glasses of wine in me and one in my hand.

I order a cabernet from the girl behind the counter and study the glass cases of desserts while she pours.

“Well, hello,” a warm voice says beside me, and a tingling sensation runs up the back of my neck.

I know that voice.

Slowly, I look up at the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and feel the impact of his boyish smile right to my chest.

Tyler Taylor.

Third Taylor brother, firefighter, and in possession of a body made of pure muscle. I got to feel said body up close and personal when we danced at Ally and his older brother Jake’s wedding last year. I was super drunk and flirting my ass off, but the feeling of him against me has been forever imprinted in my memory.

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