Ellie gave herself one last look in the mirror when a knock sounded at the front door. A smile immediately tugged at her lips.
She tried to tell herself it was because she was looking forward to the concert. Not because Jake was taking her. The little flutter in her stomach suggested otherwise.
Glancing at her phone, she saw it was exactly seven o’clock. Jake struck her as the kind of man who showed up on time. Still smiling, she crossed the living room and pulled open the door.
Jake stood on the porch while Murphy sat beside him, tongue lolling happily. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Maybe it was because she was used to seeing Jake in work clothes and baseball caps. Tonight he wore beige chinos and a light blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.
Casual. Simple. Entirely too handsome.
His gaze lingered on her for a second. “You look nice.”
Warmth crept into her cheeks. “Thank you.”
Jake lifted a small cooler. “I brought dinner. Hope you’re hungry.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You packed a picnic?”
“I did. Figured we’d get hungry.”
“I’m impressed. Most of us, in the city, just order takeout.”
“Even to go to the park?”
“Sure! Why not?”
“Guess it works.” His quick smile softened. “You ready?”
“I sure am.” She realized then they would need a blanket. “Hold on a sec. Be right back.” She hurried back inside, grabbed the throw off the couch and ran back to the porch. “Figured we needed a blanket.”
“Good thinking.”
He held his hand out to hold it, but she clutched it. “It’s alright. I’ve got it.”
As she crossed the porch with Jake beside her, she noticed the small flutter of excitement that danced through her. Picnic dinner? Had he planned this thinking it would be…something more? Maybe, maybe not. She admitted with a surprising jolt, she kind of liked the possibility. Then again, maybe she was reading far too much into this.
They headed down the path toward town. The evening air was warm and carried the scent of saltwater and blooming roses from nearby gardens. Murphy trotted ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure they were following.
“You know,” she started, “this will be a lot more fun than sitting on the sofa watching reruns.”
Jacke chuckled. “I’ll take that as a win.”
Ahead, the harbor shimmered beneath the fading light. Strings of white lights glowed in the distance where the concert was already beginning.
“I’m glad you talked me into this,” Ellie said.
Jake glanced at her. “You make it sound like it took a lot of convincing.”
“It did.” She giggled.
“In my defense, I don’t think it took much convincing.”
She laughed. “Fine. Maybe not.” The truth was she’d been looking forward to it all week. Not just the concert. The chance to spend an evening with him. The realization settled inside her.
By the time they reached the park, the lawn in front of the outdoor stage was already filling with people. Families unfolded lawn chairs. Children ran barefoot through the grass. A few boats drifted in the harbor beyond the stage, their lights twinkling against the darkening water.
Murphy immediately plopped to the ground and stretched out with a satisfied sigh.
“Looks like he’s settled in,” Jake said as he set the cooler down.
Ellie flipped open the blanket and together they spread it out. They sat, stretching their legs out. The throw wasn’t all that big so it required them to sit very close and she didn’t mind that at all.
For a few moments, they listened to the band play upbeat songs that had people clapping along and singing and swaying to the music.
The harbor breeze drifted through the crowd. Laughter carried across the lawn. Everything felt easy. Comfortable. It seemed she’d somehow slipped into someone else’s life and discovered she fit here better than expected. A thought that was becoming increasingly dangerous.
The music shifted into a slower tune. She watched the lights reflecting on the water. “You know,” she said softly, “when I first arrived, I thought Blue Harbor was too quiet.”
Jake looked at her, his hand settling over hers. “And now?”
She considered the question.
Now, she loved walking to town instead of fighting traffic. She loved the sound of gulls in the morning and the way the harbor changed color at sunset. She loved that people waved when they passed each other on the street. She loved that the woman at the bakery remembered her order.
And she loved spending time with the man beside her far more than she should. A smile touched her lips. “Now I think I judged it too quickly.”
Jake’s eyebrows lifted. “How so?”
She glanced around the park, at families spread across blankets and children chasing fireflies near the edge of the lawn.
“I thought quiet meant there wasn’t much happening.” She shook her head. “But there always seems to be something going on. People gathering at events, like this one.” She lifted her arm, indicating the crowd around her. “The townspeople helping each other, the work along the harbor and the shops and cafés filled with familiar faces." Her gaze drifted back to his. “It feels alive.”
Something softened in Jake’s expression. “I know what you mean.”
She turned toward him. “You do?”
For a moment, something flickered across his face. “Everyone kept telling me I should start over somewhere else.” His voice remained calm. Steady. “But I stayed.”
She waited. “Why?”
He looked toward the harbor lights. "Because Blue Harbor still felt like home, even after everything changed."
Something in his answer settled deep inside her chest. Not because of what he said. But because she understood it.
The band started up a slow, mellow song. Couples rose from their blankets and lawn chairs. Some drifted toward the stage. Others danced beneath the strings of lights. And a few danced beside their chairs and blankets.
An older couple nearby moved together with practiced ease. The woman laughed at something her husband whispered.
The sight made Ellie smile. “They’re adorable.”
Jake followed her gaze. “Married fifty-two years.”
“Wow.” She continued to watch them dance. “I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone married that long.” She spun her gaze to him. “Do you know everyone in town?”
“Pretty much.”
“That’s both impressive and slightly terrifying.”
“I’ll take impressive.”
The song continued. Soft and romantic. The kind of song that wrapped itself around your heart. Jake looked toward the growing crowd of dancers. Then back at her.
He stood, offering his hand. “Ellie, would you like to dance?”
A ridiculous flutter skipped through her stomach. “I’d love to.” She grinned and stood, slipping her hand into his. There was warmth, strength and steadiness in his grasp.
Jake guided her a short distance from the blanket. With a smile, he settled a hand at her waist while she rested one on his shoulder. Their other hands remained clasped between them.
Warmth spread through her at the simple touch. She was aware of everything at once—the steady pressure of his hand on her lower back, his fingers casually caressing hers, the clean scent of soap and cedar that always seemed to linger around him.
The music floated in the air but all she could focus on was the man who held her close. The way he looked at her. The way he held her and made her feel safe. She didn’t have to think about where to step or when to turn. He simply led, and she let herself follow.
And for one suspended moment, Ellie forgot there was an end to summer. Forgot there was a Boston waiting for her. Forgot there was a life beyond Blue Harbor.
There was only this.
This dance.
This man.
This feeling she hadn’t expected.
Jake’s gaze met hers. They didn’t speak. Didn’t need to. His hand tightened ever so slightly around her waist, drawing her closer. Her breath caught. She thought of the bluff, how close they were then, how they were about to—
For one foolish second, she found herself wondering what would happen if the music stopped and neither of them stepped away.
Her pulse stumbled.
Dangerous thought.
Very dangerous.
Murphy barked and clamored over to them. The spell shattered instantly. She laughed and Jake groaned.
He rested his forehead against hers and her heart nearly stopped. “I think he’s jealous.”
“I think he feels ignored.” Jake looked back at his dog. Murphy barked again. Completely unapologetic.
Jake’s laughter rumbled against her before he stepped back. He didn’t let go of her hand as he led her back to the blanket. Once they sat, Murphy sidled over to Ellie’s side. She rubbed between his ears while Jake laughed.
They sang along to more songs, clapping and swaying, and laughing. She had to admit, she couldn’t remember a time when she had enjoyed herself so much. When the final song ended, applause rolled across the park.
Ellie folded the blanket while Jake grabbed the cooler and tossed away the trash. The stars overhead twinkled while moonlight shed its glow over the harbor.
They hadn’t walked far when Jake took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. No words were spoken. There was no need. She wasn’t in any hurry for the evening to end and she figured Jake felt the same.
At the cottage steps, Jake stopped, let go of her hand and faced her. “So,” he said quietly, “did you have fun?”
She grinned. “Definitely. I’m glad you invited me.”
Murphy sat beside Jake, his tail thumping against the planks. For a moment they didn’t move, didn’t speak.
Jake looked at her, and something inside her chest squeezed. She couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the evening. The music. The dance.
Or maybe it was simply the way he was looking at her now, as though he wasn’t quite ready for the night to end. She knew she didn’t want it to end.
Jake smiled. “Goodnight, Ellie.”
“Goodnight, Jake.” She watched him walk back toward his cottage with Murphy trotting faithfully beside him.
Only when they disappeared into the darkness did she finally go inside. But long after she’d turned out the lights, she lay there, reliving the feel of his hand in hers, how he held her close, how he looked at her. And how she never wanted the song to end.
End of Episode 7.
Teaser for Episode 8: A walk on the beach at sunset. A conversation Ellie didn’t expect. And a glimpse into the heartbreak that changed Jake's life.