Summer at Firefly Beach: The perfect feel-good summer romance

by Jenny Hale

  “I need to take a walk,” she said.

  Ben didn’t answer.

  “I’m going out on the beach. I’d like some time to be alone for a while.”

  He finally met her eyes. “Okay.”

  * * *

  “I’m so sorry,” Sydney said, joining Hallie in the gazebo. She sat down and put her hand on Hallie’s thigh as remorse poured from her face.

  Hallie had been crying out there so long that she’d lost track of time. The evening sky had put on a glorious show of oranges, pinks, and purples as the sun set, but it did nothing to soothe her. Hallie had barely noticed. Her eyes swollen and stinging, she looked out at the beach for the fireflies, but they weren’t there. She’d probably missed them.

  “I went by the guesthouse to check on Ben and he told me you two had talked.” Sydney leaned in, demanding Hallie’s attention. “It wasn’t my place to tell him, Hallie,” she said, welling up. “I know that. But he looked completely shattered. I felt an overwhelming need to make him understand that he wasn’t the issue. I could guess what was keeping you from being with Ben just by listening to his side, and I had to tell him.”

  Hallie squeezed her eyes shut, feeling hollow. It didn’t matter now who told whom, or any of it. The reality of the situation had settled upon her, and Hallie didn’t know where to go from here.

  “What I said about Robby, I didn’t understand what was going on with you and Ben. I’m sorry I said anything at all. Please know that I’d never stand in the way of the two of you, knowing how strongly you feel for each other.”

  “I know,” was all she could get out. She didn’t want to say there wasn’t anything going on between her and Ben because she wasn’t really sure if that was true. All she knew was that she was heartbroken.

  Sydney put her arm around her and Hallie leaned on her shoulder.

  “Do you think you two will get past this?” Sydney asked.

  Hallie shook her head and shrugged, lost.

  “It’s a tough thing…” Sydney pulled her closer. “But no matter what, it’s okay for the two of you to still be friends. You know he’ll always be there for you.”

  “Yeah.” Hallie traced the grain of wood along the bench where they sat, considering the idea of being just friends. If they could go back to the way they were, she could still have Ben just like she always had, and while she would forever want more, maybe they could get past it in time and just exist in that notion that they couldn’t have it all. And Ben would eventually move on and find that perfect person who could give him a family.

  With no other possible answers, Hallie had no choice but to move on, even if it was killing her. She resolved to put her effort in what fulfilled her as a person. She would sink herself into Coastal Comfort and work on her plans for an eventual line. She had given Gavin her number and she was expecting a call from the magazine tomorrow. It was time to push all her sorrows aside and get herself ready for that call.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Hallie was up the next morning even before Mama had started making breakfast. Her computer sat on the kitchen table, its screen full of Hallie’s images, multiple internet tabs open to local furniture makers as well as candle and linen companies. She’d sent emails to various businesses, introducing herself and her new business, and asking them if they’d be interested in collaborating on décor to complement the color scheme in her Coastal Comfort series. She’d even asked the locally known Ridley Furniture Company if they’d like to enter into a partnership to produce some of her designs if she sent them over. She’d drawn dressers with inlays of the five points on the sand dollar engraved in a pattern over the surface of each drawer, chairs with legs the color of the gulf sand, lamps with teal and azure blown glass… She had quite a few ideas, and they were coming to her faster than she could draw them, her sketches spread over the table.

  Hallie’s computer pinged with an email and she opened it immediately, a flutter of excitement rippling through her. Ridley Furniture Company had come back to her before business hours began. Knowing her aunt, they were very interested and wanted to meet with her.

  It was important that Hallie distinguish her own talents from the dynasty set forth by Aunt Clara. With all her ideas in a muddle, she opened a new document on her laptop and began to devise a business plan. She needed organization and she needed it fast. She began to type. Overview: Hallie Flynn Design provides luxury, one-of-a-kind home concepts for upscale beachgoers. We aim to be the leading brand in home décor by putting people first at all costs. At Hallie Flynn Design, the customer is not just a fellow beach lover—she is family.

  Then she started planning the logistics, scribbling notes onto paper and madly clicking through search results on her computer. She started to jot down ideas on her strategies and how she’d get the business going, goals, timelines…

  Then she replied to the email, saying she could stop by today and to let her know a good time.

  “Good morning,” Mama said, breaking Hallie’s concentration.

  “Morning,” she said, as Mama peered over the chair to view all the papers spread over the table. “You know those photos I’ve been taking? Look,” she said, turning her computer around.

  Mama gasped and came closer. “Oh, honey, they’re gorgeous!”

  “I’ve been thinking about following in Aunt Clara’s footsteps, but I’d do it a little differently, add my own twist.” Hallie showed her what she’d typed and the different ideas she had for home furnishings. “I thought about contacting Sasha Morgan to see if she had any pointers for me. She might be able to look over my business model, since she has so much experience.”

  “Maybe you could work for her until you get on your feet,” Mama suggested.

  “Maybe… But I really feel the need to do this my way.”

  Mama smiled. “You have always had your own view of things. Uncle Hank went on and on about your photographs after you all had lunch the other day, and I was going to ask you to show me once everything calmed down.” Mama cinched the belt of her housecoat tighter and then took a seat at the table, dragging one of Hallie’s drawings toward her with a finger. “You’re so talented,” she said, looking up at her, but Hallie could tell she had more to say.

  She waited for Mama to tell her.

  “I see the sparkle in your eye when you’re doing something creative. It’s always been there. But lately that sparkle has been absent quite a bit. Something is bothering you. I’m worried about you and Sydney,” Mama said. “Your sister was beside herself yesterday but she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong, except it had something to do with you. I wondered if you’d explain it to me.”

  Hallie hadn’t told her mother about the baby for two reasons: one, it was too difficult for Hallie emotionally to tell anyone but the counselor, and two, Aunt Clara had just passed away and Mama was so grief-stricken that Hallie just couldn’t add to it. While she didn’t want to relive the tragedy of losing her first child or to think about her health concerns right now, Starlight Cottage was about family and being there for one another. Her mother needed to understand what had happened. “Let’s make a cup of coffee,” Hallie said, “and then I’ll tell you everything.”

  * * *

  Hallie and her mother were still at the table talking an hour later. Mama was supportive and loving. She’d even moved to the chair beside Hallie so that she could put her arms around her. It felt good to tell Mama everything. Hallie realized that it was so much better when people knew because she didn’t feel like she was facing it all alone. And to her surprise, no one had looked at her differently. Hallie felt protected by her family and she knew that, while her future plans were still uncertain, they’d be with her along the way.

  “Why don’t you ask Ben to breakfast, honey,” Mama said. “I’m sure he’ll wander in at some point, but it might be good for you to be the one to get him. I’ll bet he feels pretty uncertain at the moment. He needs to know that he’s family no matter what happens with the two of you. And he also needs to
feel that you, too, are there for him.”

  “Okay,” Hallie said, piling up her papers and closing her laptop. “When should I tell him breakfast will be ready?”

  “I’m making sausage, egg, and cheese casserole, so it should be done in about forty-five minutes.”

  Hallie slipped her flip-flops on, and gathered the items into her arms to drop off in the sewing room before heading over to the guesthouse. There was a small part of her that worried about seeing Ben, because she wasn’t sure if she could keep her feelings for him from showing and she didn’t want another round of yes-we-can-no-we-can’t. But she missed him. There was something inside her that came alive whenever he was with her. No one else could do that.

  The morning was warm, but the breeze sliding off the gulf was still cool, washing over her on her way down the path to the guesthouse. The familiar song of the sea sang to her like it had so many days of her life. It was always there for her, whispering as if to say, “Shh. It’s okay.” Hallie knocked on the door, and when no one answered the first thing she did was check Beau’s water bowl, to make sure Ben hadn’t left again. The stainless steel bowl was still there, half full. Hallie got the hide-a-key and opened the door.

  “Ben?” she called, stepping inside.

  Beau trotted up to her, his tail wagging furiously, and put his forehead on her leg.

  “Where’s Ben?” she asked, stroking Beau’s back.

  Beau went over to his bed and curled up on it just as Hallie saw a piece of paper on the counter.

  Gone to see Ashley.

  Hallie turned the paper over to check the other side. No explanation, no further details. But then she remembered that she’d told him he should give things a chance with Ashley. Perhaps that was what he was doing. A twinge of unease snaked through her at the thought, but it was the right thing for everyone. Ashley was a wonderful person, and she was good to Ben. With a mixture of hope for Ben and sadness and disappointment over her own circumstances, Hallie said goodbye to Beau and left the guesthouse.

  * * *

  Uncle Hank played piano this morning, and at breakfast Hallie brought up her most recent ideas—Hallie Flynn Design and her Coastal Comfort décor line, which would branch off from her Coastal Comfort series of photographs. Everyone was thrilled to hear it and the conversation lasted nearly the whole meal, which was fine with Hallie because she didn’t have to think about Ben. After, to keep her spirits up, Hallie threw herself into work. She researched possible website designs, domain names, and online content options. She mapped out more of her business plan, polishing it up to take with her when she met with Chase Blythe at Ridley Furniture later today. She’d gone back and forth a bit more with him on email, and he seemed very interested in her ideas.

  She was so deep in thought that she almost didn’t notice Uncle Hank smiling from the doorway of the kitchen, where she sat with her computer.

  “Do you know what I love most about this view?” he asked.

  She closed her laptop and gave him her full attention.

  Uncle Hank came over and sat down across from her. “The complete concentration I see on your face when you’re working. It’s the same expression Clara used to get when I’d pop into her office. Sometimes she’d work a few minutes before she realized I was at the door. But I never minded, because she was doing exactly what she was put on earth to do. I think you’re the same.”

  “A furniture maker and a magazine reporter want to talk to me about Coastal Comfort, but I worry because they know I’m Aunt Clara’s niece. I’m sort of using her name…”

  “No you’re not.” He crossed his forearms on the table. “You’ve created the start of your own identity with Hallie Flynn Design; you just happen to be related to Clara. You’re allowed to tell people that. What Clara was worried about was you kids using her name to get ahead yourselves. You aren’t doing any such thing. You’ve done this all on your own.”

  Hallie was relieved to have Uncle Hank’s blessing. It made her feel like somehow it was Aunt Clara saying it was all okay. “I’m starting to see Aunt Clara’s purpose in making me complete the list. It’s like she knew what I needed.”

  “Of course she did,” Uncle Hank said, a wistful smile on his face.

  “Although I don’t know what making a sandcastle has to do with anything.”

  Uncle Hank laughed and then looked out the window briefly before saying, “Maybe that one was for me. I enjoyed it.”

  “You’ve come a long way too.”

  He nodded.

  “Think you’ll see Lewis again?”

  “I don’t know. It’s difficult to reverse decades of feelings in a day or two. It’s not easy. But I think I can manage if he fills his seat at the table.”

  “That’s a good place to start.”

  * * *

  Once she’d driven into town, Hallie had a few minutes to burn before her meeting with Mr. Blythe of Ridley Furniture, which was helpful because Ashley was standing outside of Sally Ann’s Bakery. She waved at Hallie to get her attention as Hallie parked. With her laptop and bag of sketches in the front seat of her car, she locked up and crossed the street.

  “I thought you were with Ben,” Hallie said. “He left a note…”

  Ashley’s face was freshly powdered, her lips a dewy coral color, but when she looked closely, Hallie noticed the rims of her eyes were pink. Ashley produced a million-dollar smile and fiddled with her handbag. “He came to see me, but he left already, and I decided that I needed a slice of Sally Ann’s peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.”

  “That sounds amazing.”

  “Yeah,” she said, “peach cobbler solves anything.” She sniffled, but tried to cover it up by taking in a deep breath and pushing the air out with a smile.

  “Did something happen between you and Ben?”

  Ashley put her sunglasses on with a shaky hand. “He told me how he feels about you,” she said. “And now I understand why it isn’t fair for him to be with me. And I can’t blame him for ending things if he’s in love. While it still hurts, I’m coming to terms with it, and if I had to lose him to someone, I’d want it to be someone like you.”

  “Oh, Ashley, I’m so sorry things didn’t work out. I tried to tell him how wonderful you are…”

  “If his feelings aren’t there, there’s nothing I can do. He’s a great guy and he was kind in telling me, and sweet for listening. It just wasn’t right for us. It hurts, but it’s okay.”

  Hallie gave her a hug. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

  “Thank you, Hallie. I hope things work out with you two.” With a wobbly smile, Ashley opened the door of Sally Ann’s Bakery. “I’ll see you later,” she said.

  Hallie said goodbye and headed across the street to meet with Mr. Blythe.

  She only waited a few minutes before he greeted her in the lobby of the showroom. “Chase,” he said, shaking her hand. “So you’re the niece of the infamous Clara Flynn.” Hallie would have to get used to being referenced as such. It was only natural, given Aunt Clara’s reputation, but one day, Hallie hoped that her name might come first in conversation.

  “Yes. My design ideas are a bit different from hers, but we both shared the same passion for sure.”

  “Well, let’s see what you’ve got and how we can help,” Chase said.

  Hallie pulled out her laptop and opened it on the counter with the register. “I have a specific color palette in mind, and I’m looking to design patterns on the furniture that would mimic those in the photographs—not matchy-matchy but more subtle…”

  Hallie continued to review her concepts with Chase, and she was so inspired that she stopped twice to jot down more thoughts on her way home after speaking to him. He told her his ideas and they discussed the terms of their partnership. She couldn’t have been more thrilled. Not only would she be able to showcase the furniture on her website, but he’d carry the pieces in-store as well. They were starting small, with the idea that they could build as her company and clients
grew.

  She couldn’t wait to tell Gavin all about it and see what he’d be willing to put in the room with her artwork, so she stopped by the gallery on her way out of town.

  “That’s amazing,” he said when she told him. “And we’ll have a little more space without the easel that held your sunset shot. You’ll be happy to know that I sold it.”

  “You did?” The idea that strangers would have her photographs on their walls was nearly unbelievable. Hallie peeked into the room with her photos, and every blank space gave her more courage to move forward with her plans.

  “Yep. I’m so happy for you! How’s your website coming?”

  “I quickly looked into it this morning, but it might be a good idea to get your take on a few things,” she said, still reeling from it all. Truthfully, she’d love nothing more than to spend her time collaborating with Gavin. She wondered if perhaps working with her helped Gavin avoid his dark thoughts the same way it did for her. In a way, they needed each other to get through the hard times.

  “You should get it up and running as quickly as possible. If I were you, I’d work on designing that first. I can help if you need me to. When’s your call with the magazine?”

  “In two hours.”

  “What are you doing right now?” he asked. “The gallery’s quiet this afternoon. We could work on it over a couple of sandwiches from Wes and Maggie’s. You can take the call here if you’d like.”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll call us in an order.”

  “While you do that, I’m going to step outside and make another quick call,” she told him. She felt hope now when she looked toward the future. This was more natural than any job she’d ever done. As she closed the gallery door behind her, she dialed the number at the advertising agency where she worked and gave her notice. Don’t be afraid. Just jump in.