Chapter Seventeen
Marsha
One Year Later
The gallery had been busy all morning and neither Kristi nor Marsha had stopped for a break. At noon, Marsha told Kristi to go eat lunch, and by one, Marsha headed over to the coffee shop to grab a coffee and maybe a snack.
It was a lovely fall day—not too hot but warm, with a nice breeze coming off the ocean. She smiled as she walked, thankful for everything in her life these days. The gallery was making a nice profit, and eight months ago, she’d sold her house and moved into a lovely two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with a balcony and a view of the ocean. She loved her new place. It suited her busy life because she no longer had to worry about the upkeep of the house or the grounds.
The coffee shop was busy when she walked in, so she found the end of the line and waited. A tall man with sandy blond hair came to stand behind her.
“Mrs. Winslow?” the man asked.
Marsha turned and looked up at the man. She wasn’t sure who it was, but he did look familiar.
“Sorry. Of course, you don’t remember me. I’m Officer Mike Becker. I was the one who drove you home that night.”
Marsha deflated. “Oh, my goodness. How embarrassing. You must think I’m a nut case.”
He chuckled. “Not at all. You were going through the grief process. We all do strange things when we’re grieving.”
Marsha studied him. He’d been in uniform, and it had been dark out that night, so she hadn’t really had a good look at him. Plus, she’d been crying. Today, though, he looked handsome with sandy blond hair and deep blue eyes. And he was dressed casually in jeans and a cotton shirt. “I doubt if you’ve ever fallen to pieces in your life,” she said.
“Me? Oh, don’t be so sure.” He smiled. “I stopped by your house a couple of times the week after your incident to check on you, but no one answered. I figured you had gone away for a while.”
Marsha was surprised. “You checked up on me?”
“Sure. You seemed so sad. I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Mike said.
“Well, that was very nice of you,” Marsha said. “I did go away for a few days to clear my head. A lot was going on at that time.”
“So, is your head clear now?” he asked, smiling.
Marsha laughed. “Clearer.”
Marsha was the next in line and when she stepped up to order, Mike spoke up. “Let me buy your coffee,” he offered.
Marsha hesitated but then nodded. “I want a muffin, too,” she said.
“Absolutely,” Mike told her.
Once their order came, he asked if she’d like to sit for a while and talk. She agreed, and they found a table outside under an umbrella.
“What brings you out here today?” Marsha asked after sipping her coffee.
“Ugh!” Mike said, then laughed. “I’m shopping for a present for my baby sister’s fortieth birthday, and I have no idea what she’d like. Her husband is giving her a big party.”
“Well, I know of a charming little gallery a few steps from here where you could find a nice gift,” Marsha said.
“It must be a good place if you’re recommending it,” Mike said.
“I’m one of the owners there, so I have to say it’s an amazing place,” she said, grinning.
“Really. I didn’t know that. I guess I’d better go in and look then, although I’m sure it’s too fancy for a guy on a police officer’s salary.”
“Maybe not if you have the right connections,” Marsha said with a wink.
He laughed, and they talked for over an hour.
“I’d better get back to the gallery before Kristi thinks I got lost,” Marsha said. “Thank you for the coffee and muffin.”
“My pleasure.” He hesitated, then asked, “Would you want to go out for dinner with me tonight? And if you think my asking is completely out of line, please tell me to shove off.”
Marsha couldn’t help but laugh. She liked Mike Becker. He seemed like a nice man. “I’d love to have dinner with you tonight.”
He smiled broadly. “Wonderful.”
“We can decide where while I help you choose a gift for your sister,” Marsha said.
He laughed. “It’s a deal.”
As they walked together toward the gallery, Marsha felt happiness welling up inside her. She’d always love Craig, there was no doubt. But maybe it was time for her to find happiness again. It could be with Mike Becker or someone else. She was open to whatever came her way.
-End-
I hope you enjoyed the story.