Beautiful Dreamer

by Melissa Brayden

  Elizabeth opened the box to reveal a purple and black checkered scarf that would look amazing on her. She stared at it and held it in her hands for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Purple.” Was that a sigh? “This was very thoughtful. You shouldn’t have done it, but thank you all the same.”

  “She’s wooing you,” Barb sang.

  Elizabeth glanced from Barb to Devyn and appeared nervous, which made total sense. She was surely terrified of Devyn after how she’d behaved, and had every right to be. Who wants to open themselves up to heartbreak twice in a row? Now it was up to her to put in the time and prove to Elizabeth that she knew what she wanted and wasn’t going anywhere ever again. She’d play the long game if she had to, because women like Elizabeth Draper didn’t come around too often, or ever, and she was not going to blow her chance a second time. Her stubborn, stupid head had already gotten in the way once.

  “Want to grab a drink sometime this week?” she asked as casually as possible.

  “I’m slammed, sadly, but you guys enjoy those donuts. Make sure Moneybags buys lots of property.”

  “That’s the goal,” Devyn said quietly, and watched as the most wonderful woman in the world left to go about her day.

  They saw each other here and there over the next few weeks. In a small town, it was hard not to run into each other. Devyn wasn’t complaining. She used each opportunity to steal a few extra moments with Elizabeth to hear about her day or what Scout had gotten into, often the trash. The most recent run-in happened at the enormous pumpkin patch the Bay set up each October. Devyn lined up for a cup of warm cider behind Elizabeth, realizing that she couldn’t have planned it better herself. The weather was gorgeous, the pumpkins extra orange and cheerful, and the air held excitement for the new season.

  “You’re buying a pumpkin?” Elizabeth asked, dubious.

  “I’m buying two, actually. Wouldn’t want one to be lonely. They’ll be a pair.”

  “That’s a nice idea.” Elizabeth nodded. “Make sure the second one sticks around, though. Knows how to use a phone.”

  Devyn sighed at the obvious reference. “I will stay on top of that.”

  They shuffled forward in line. Elizabeth finally glanced back at her. “That’s nothing like you.”

  “What isn’t?”

  “Pumpkin buying.”

  Devyn pulled her face back. “I’m a person, you know. People congregate with other people and partake in holiday traditions.”

  “No. You don’t get involved with little things. You’re a bigger-picture type of person. Why are you different?”

  Devyn scoffed. “People can change. I work on it every day, actually.”

  That seemed to snag Elizabeth’s attention. She absently chewed on her bottom lip. Turned around in line and then back again, as if she simply couldn’t resist. “I know people can change. Of course I know that.”

  “You just don’t think I can.” Devyn held up a hand. “It’s okay. You don’t have to. Plus, the slower pace at work is actually really nice. Gives me time to focus on things like finding myself a good pair of pumpkins. I already have a few contenders.”

  Elizabeth turned back and faced the cider truck, appearing uninterested. Again, it didn’t last. She whirled back around. “What is going on with you? I mean, specifically.” Her eyebrows were pulled in and her lips were tight in an accusatory manner. Devyn didn’t mind getting under her skin. Anything was an improvement over silence, and it meant that she still affected Elizabeth.

  She shrugged. “Nothing is going on with me. I’m just living my life, trying to enjoy myself more. Take in the little things.” She looked skyward. “If I remember correctly, that’s what someone once thought I should do. Turns out, she was pretty wise, and I’m feeling lighter by the day.”

  “Good for you,” Elizabeth said with forced cheer. “You seem lighter. Happy, even.” She turned back around for a final time.

  “That’s the goal.”

  Oh, yeah. Devyn was making an impression.

  She just hoped she hadn’t waited too long.

  * * *

  There were two adorable mugs, one green and one lavender, and a bag of chocolate-flavored coffee in a basket with a bow on Elizabeth’s doorstep that second day of November. She didn’t have to read the card to know who had left them for her. She sat down on her step, opened the door so Scout could join her outside, and picked up one of the oversized mugs. At first, Devyn’s continued advances annoyed her because where had that mentality been when she’d disappeared off the face of the Earth? Why now, all of a sudden, when Elizabeth was finding her way back to being a person? Lately, though, the little gestures seemed…sweet. Maybe it was the holidays approaching. Goodwill toward men and the Christmas spirit and overflowing hearts seem to be the norm this time of year. But it wasn’t just the gestures that resonated with Elizabeth. Devyn herself seemed more open, more engaged with other people than she’d ever seen her. She smiled a lot, attended events, looked more relaxed, and was actually out there living life, rather than being chained to her email. She wasn’t sure what to do with that information.

  Scout licked her nose and whined softly. “You still miss her?” she asked her dog, who stepped one foot at a time into her lap. “You realize you’re about four sizes too big to be a lapdog?” She stared in amusement at Scout, who spilled well beyond Elizabeth’s crossed legs. “That can’t be comfortable, you goof.”

  KC, who was scheduled to stop by for a beer, pulled into her driveway fifteen minutes early. “I’m an adult out in the world without a child.” she yelled, arms outstretched. “I raced over. Where are the snacks? It’s after five. Feed me promptly.”

  “I have baked brie assembled that I was going to toss in the oven, but you’re early.”

  “You’re not listening. I’m childless. I have to be early. Oh, I love those,” she said, taking a mug from Elizabeth’s hands and marching into the house as if she owned it. In many ways, she did. Scout scampered after KC, but Elizabeth paused before following them in, stealing a moment for herself because she was feeling off-kilter. Devyn’s staying power surprised her. Despite all of Elizabeth’s rebuffs, she hadn’t backed down or given up in the slightest. While part of her was, well, impressed, the larger part still viewed Devyn as an unreliable threat to her emotional well-being. She couldn’t let someone like that back into her heart, even if she wanted to. She sighed, thinking about their most recent encounter just that morning. She’d been three blocks into her walk with Hank, this time with Scout along, too. She’d turned after hearing footsteps approach from behind to see Devyn, hair in a ponytail, out for a jog. She wore skintight black athletic leggings with a blue stripe down the side and a matching spandex top. Elizabeth blinked. The image of Devyn in sleek athletic wear that showed off so much of her…physique wiped her mind clean of thoughts. She couldn’t even recite her address, and she tried.

  “Hey, funny running into you here,” Devyn said as she came up on them. She smiled widely and jogged in place, waiting for Elizabeth’s response.

  She eventually located the ability to operate her brain again and stood up tall, bracing against the dogs that wanted to pull her forward. “Hi.” She quirked her head. “You’re a runner?”

  “I am. I used to run late at night on the treadmill in the gym in my building. Now I embrace the sunshine. Turns out that fresh air is much better. Gets my mornings started right. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.”

  “Fresh air is nice,” Elizabeth said, as Hank got the better of her, pulling her forward a few steps.

  “Are you having a nice morning?”

  “I’m having a great morning,” Elizabeth said automatically. She forced herself to smile to show off just how great. She was having an amazing time. Just look at her. Walking dogs and such. “Probably one of my best.” Okay, that might have been overkill. She sucked at projecting confidence. Always had.

  “Really? Well, that’s a strong endorsement. I was hoping you were.” The jogging in place
turned into jogging backward in front of Elizabeth as she continued the dogs’ walk. “Not sure if you know, but I made a purchase.”

  “What kind?” Elizabeth asked, pretending to be extra interested in what Hank was sniffing.

  “The house at the end of Mockingbird Point. The one with the giant oak in the front lawn?”

  “Oh. I really love that house. You’re going to live on the same street as Jill?”

  Devyn nodded, still jogging. “I need someone to borrow a cup of sugar from. She’s great about that stuff. Plus, the street holds a lot of great memories for me.” Her ponytail bouncing. Other things, too. Elizabeth wanted to slam her eyes shut and free herself from this torture.

  “I was going to try that new café near the water tonight. I’m told their clams can’t be touched. Wanna come along? Very casual.”

  Elizabeth exhaled. Every part of her wanted to go, but her brain overruled her pesky and less intelligent heart. Not that this new Devyn didn’t leave her curious. Wondering. Interested. “I’d love to, but I’m probably going to take tonight to stay in with Scout. Relax.”

  Devyn nodded, though her smile dimmed a small amount. “Well. I like the sound of that. Scratch her behind her ears for me, okay?”

  “I will do that.”

  “I hope I see you soon, Liz.” She turned and jogged off, leaving a gawking Elizabeth to watch the very impressive show.

  With the mug and coffee in her hands now, she pulled herself back into the present and headed inside for snacks and drinks with her best friend, wondering distantly what this new version of Devyn Winters thought of that café by the water. She felt her resolve cracking ever so slightly and pondered maybe, just maybe, calling her sometime to find out.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Good God, this town never tired of festivals and events. It wasn’t that Devyn was complaining, but there really was an unending stream of them. The people of Dreamer’s Bay were deep celebrators, and who was she to take issue with that? In actuality, the community gatherings made her feel more and more at home in the Bay, beyond what she ever would have thought possible. Dare she say she actually enjoyed them?

  “Hello there, Devyn. You are a stunner in navy,” Mary Beth Eckhart said in her ear. Devyn glanced down at her jeans, navy sweater, and tall brown boots, hoping her outfit blended with the masses.

  She smiled at her mother’s friend, who wore a shimmering silver top and pearls. One of the better dressed attendees. “I was hoping to blend in with the locals.” She’d heard of the event, interestingly named Red, White, and Turkey—yes, really—but had never once attended. For twenty dollars a ticket, a person could sample a variety of wines from multiple vendors on one side of the pavilion. On the other, they staged a turkey cook-off, in which local restaurants battled for the most votes on their turkey preparation. There was roasted turkey, fried turkey, traditional turkey and gravy—and don’t get her started on the turkey cheese balls she didn’t quite understand—all in preparation for Thanksgiving, now just two weeks away. The chill in the air gave the event a true holiday feel, and she snuggled into her sweater even more. The townspeople mingled in the large outdoor pavilion surrounded by a variety of vertical heaters. Barrels of wine flanked the perimeter to give the event a rustic feel, and a bluegrass band played on the small, erected stage.

  Mrs. Eckhart regarded her knowingly. “Well, you’re a local yourself now. A new home. A business. I’d say we’re keeping you.”

  “All part of my plan,” she said, and sipped her hot mulled wine.

  “You have a good time, now,” Mrs. Eckhart said, patting her shoulder. “I’m gonna see if Mr. Ivers wants to scoot around the dance floor with me.” She demonstrated a couple of moves and sashayed away.

  Devyn smiled and called after her. “Who could say no to you?”

  “From your lips,” she called back. “Coming over next week?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  She’d taken to stopping by Ms. Eckhart’s house every other week or so for a chat, or just to see if she needed any help with anything around the house. She found the visits healing, and a way for her to feel closer to her mom. Plus, Mrs. Eckhart made that amazing lemon cake that had Devyn jogging a few extra blocks to make up for it.

  On her own now, she walked the different booths and inhaled the amazing aromas drifting over from the various grills and on-site ovens. She bopped her head to the music, feeling content with her life choices for the first time in…well, ever. Who knew she’d not only enjoy small town life, but actually thrive? She had hobbies now and time to genuinely take in her own surroundings without leaping from one listing appointment, to a showing, to the negotiating table, only to repeat it all again fifty times a week. She exhaled and grinned.

  “What has you smiling so wide?” Jill. She turned to see her clad in jeans, a black top, and a red puffer vest, holding on to Charlie’s bicep for support. Gone was the cane, which was a gigantic milestone in her recovery. In its place was Charlie, always at the ready to help Jill with whatever she needed. Devyn had watched their relationship take one tentative step forward at a time until they’d become practically inseparable. Seeing Jill so happy, she couldn’t help but root for them. They were that cute.

  Devyn shrugged and held it. “Just enjoying tonight. Realizing I made the right decision coming home. I feel that reassurance in the air all around me.” She held out a hand. “That may sound crazy, but it’s happening.”

  “It’s not at all crazy.” Jill placed a hand over her chest and exhaled. “I mean, I thought that would be the case, but I’m so relieved to hear you say it.”

  “You don’t miss the big city?” Charlie asked, accepting two cups of mulled wine for himself and Jill from his store’s very own booth.

  “Part of it, sure,” Devyn said. “But I’ll get back there every now and then for an occasional listing. I made it clear to my clients that they could call on me for the special projects. But on a daily basis, I’ll work from the Bay.”

  “We all set to check on some beachfront properties, Ms. Winters?” Jerry Dill, from the mayor’s office, asked from behind a turkey-and-cranberries-sandwich booth.

  She pointed at him. “On my calendar. I have four options, and you’re gonna have a tough time choosing.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  “Well, well,” Elizabeth said, joining their group. “Sounds like business is picking up.” Her green eyes were bright and they complemented the scarf she wore, the purple and black one Devyn had given her, perfectly. She blinked, trying to understand what that could mean. Maybe she just enjoyed the style.

  “Business is great,” Devyn said, and swallowed. Elizabeth looked beautiful. Her hair was pulled back loosely on the sides and cascaded down her back. The scarf accentuated the black turtleneck she wore perfectly. The short black booties added an inch to her height. She looked stylish and cozy, and it was all Devyn could do to not let her thoughts wander to those more intimate in nature. But no, she was content just to be in Elizabeth’s presence and enjoy a little bit of the evening with her. Her heart ached for more, but she knew the state of things and could be patient. “Almost ready to find that new office?”

  “I was planning to give you a call after the holiday. Maybe find a place by Christmas and in time for the new year.”

  Devyn nodded. She’d been watching the market to see what kinds of things might potentially open up. “I think the timing of that is spot-on.”

  “Great. And thank you for the front porch delivery.”

  She said it with a smile, which was a step forward. The usual annoyance had receded, and something in Devyn quieted and sighed in relief. She didn’t want to be pushy, and at the first sign that she was being received that way, she would back off.

  “You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy the blend on that roast. I had it specially made, given your sweet tooth.”

  Jill and Charlie looked from one of them to the other, as if gleeful spectators at the most entertaining of
tennis matches.

  “I love it,” Elizabeth said.

  Oh, wow. Look at that. The polite smile melted into a genuine one, the very smile Devyn hadn’t seen in a long while and missed more than she thought possible. Her stomach tightened and flip-flopped, because this was the first sign that there was maybe a true chance for them. She stared into her cup to not give away the happy tears that threatened. She’d come so far, and made so many awful mistakes along the way, and this very slight encouragement…mattered to her.

  “Well,” Elizabeth said, and looked from Jill to Charlie, then back to Devyn. “I’ll let you all enjoy your evening. Gonna go find little Gray and give him some overdue kisses. Did I mention I’m going to give wine a shot tonight?”

  “Who are you and what have you done with beer-loving Elizabeth?” Jill asked.

  She shrugged happily. “Change is in the air.”

  Devyn raised a hand in farewell and offered a smile. Seconds later, once they were alone, Jill slugged her, nearly toppling her mug of mulled wine.

  “What in hell, Jill?”

  “She was giving you the eyes,” her sister said, and then let her jaw drop in surprise. “I wasn’t sure you’d ever get there again with her, after how heartbroken she was, but I felt an actual spark.”

  “Ah, yep. I felt something there, too,” Charlie said. “Wasn’t sure what, but if that’s called a spark, then yeah, okay. Works for me.” He looked at her. “There were sparks, Devyn.”

  She nodded, playing it cool. “So, it wasn’t just me hoping?”

  “She loves you,” Jill said earnestly, and shrugged her shoulders to her ears and held them there.

  “Then we’re a matching pair, because I love her so much, Jilly.” She squeezed her cup to ground herself and live in the warm truth of those words, because they were everything.

  A voice interrupted the moment and they turned to see Bobby Delacore, the young, debonair mayor of the town, on the microphone. Devyn remembered him as Jill’s class president and found it fitting that he transitioned into politics. “It’s the time in the evening, folks, where we turn to the Turkey Tell-All, which has become a town tradition. Those of you familiar with the Tell-All know it’s about the celebration of the short story, the tall tale, or a heartfelt confession. We already have a line forming to my left, so if you’ve got a tale to tell, we’d all love to hear it.”