Chapter 6
MIRANDA
Miranda loved the quiet mornings at the Green Grocer, before she opened the corner shop for the day. She savored her coffee as she went through her routine, feeling an eager buzz of anticipation. Today was the day—the team from Voyager Travel was arriving.
Pinch me, please.
She shook her head and tried to focus, starting at the coffee and deli counter, then turning on the twinkly amber and gold lights hanging from the exposed-beam ceiling.
The display cases were filled to the brim with a bevy of fall treats—marzipans shaped like ears of corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, and leaves, jewel-toned chocolates filled with maple cream and caramel, and frosted oversized gingerbread cookies.
She always stocked up for Fall Harvest Fest weekend, but she’d gone all out. In fact, maybe she’d gone overboard.
But, no, the throngs of fall tourists had already begun filling up the local rental cottages and beach bungalows.
Miranda could spot them right away. Main Street was suddenly brimming with cowboy hats, boots, and overalls.
Families in matching plaid and flannel from head to toe, posing in front of the pumpkin arch.
Groups of women in town for a friends getaway.
They tended to dress in varying shades of brown with knee-high boots and colorful blanket scarves.
And happy couples, who wandered along the tree-lined sidewalks, strolling together and stopping at the family-owned shops, galleries, and restaurants for some shopping or a bite to eat in between the festivities.
She thought again about her own love life, or lack thereof.
Until recently, she hadn’t had time to even consider that she might be missing out.
When she discovered she was pregnant with Pete after a one-night stand, her entire life was turned upside down.
Suddenly, she was hit with endless responsibilities—a newborn, running the grocery store, family dynamics, and so much more.
Not that she regretted her unexpected life path.
Quite the opposite. Pete was the best thing that had ever happened to her, and she was deeply grateful for her community and friends in Half Moon Bay.
She’d gone on a few dates every now and then, but let’s face it, the small seaside town wasn’t exactly booming with eligible bachelors.
Elise had been begging her to set up an online dating profile.
Miranda had resisted. Elise was probably deflecting anyway.
She’d gone through a serious breakup right after college and found her way home to Half Moon Bay.
Miranda was over the moon to have Elise back, but like with Pete, she just hoped her niece wasn’t hiding out.
Elise liked to joke that it was perfect because she could always be Miranda’s plus one.
“Don’t worry, Aunt Mimi, now that I’m home, I’ll always be your movie date.
” Miranda loved the company—binge-watching Gilmore Girls and Bridgerton with snacks and wine.
She also wanted her son and beloved niece, to find their own happiness, whether it was here or somewhere far away.
But maybe Elise was right. Maybe it was time to take a bigger risk and put herself out there.
She brushed off the wistful thoughts as she straightened the floral display and set out Fall Harvest Fest brochures for people to grab at the checkout counter.
Miranda planned year-round for this weekend.
She added all the extra touches to make the Green Grocer feel like someplace special.
It was to her, and she wanted everyone who stepped through the cranberry-red front door to be transported back to a slower place and time.
She’d ordered an assortment of imported cheeses and meats, which were wrapped in butcher paper and tied with twine.
Apple tarts, maple-pecan scones, and pumpkin-cream cheese muffins were arranged on vintage cake stands atop the glass counter.
Instead of simply selling spiced nuts and candy in their original packaging, she had transferred them into miniature canning jars and clear cellophane bags adorned with shiny bronze and peach ribbons and handwritten gift tags.
The small dining area was decked out with more fall décor—pumpkins, gourds, and stunning sunflower centerpieces on each of the tables.
And the rest of the grocery section was a sensory delight with locally produced jams, jellies, chutneys, and salsa, glossy loaves of bread from the bakery three doors down, and a gift section with treasures and trinkets for kids and adults.
Elise had outdone herself with the seasonal floral display.
She’d carved miniature pumpkins and filled them with succulents, dried herbs, and flowers, and arranged bright bunches of dahlias, hydrangeas, berries, and branches in sweet vases and mason jars.
Miranda was about to climb the stepladder to reach the vintage candelabra-style chandelier in the front window when a soft knock sounded on the door.
She glanced outside.
An attractive man about her age with salt-and-pepper hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and glasses waved, motioning to the door, signaling that he wanted to be let in.
Miranda tapped her watch. Technically, they didn’t open for another half hour.
And today, they were opening even later, so they could have a chance to prepare before the team at Voyager showed up.
Miranda wanted to have everything ready and running smoothly.
She’d changed the sign to note the weekend hours.
But the man was insistent. He knocked on the door and then looked back at her. Miranda squinted. He looked almost familiar, but she couldn’t place him.
Maybe the line at Brews and Views, a popular coffee shop and tourist hangout, was too long.
Miranda hesitated. She’d already brewed a pot of their fall house roast with notes of toasted hazelnuts and a hint of cinnamon.
One cup wouldn’t hurt. She held up a finger and grabbed the footstool.
After she turned on the shimmering chandelier, she unlocked the front door and gasped as she got a close-up look at him.
The man was dressed professionally in dark gray slacks, loafers, a forest green puffy vest, and a stained shirt.
A stained shirt…
A coffee-stained shirt.
Oh, no.
It’s the guy from the airport.
Her heartbeat kicked up, pounding against her chest.
Had he tracked her down somehow?
But how?
Her thoughts ran while the man stood on the threshold, staring above him at the hand-painted sign with a smug smile tugging at the edge of his lips. “This is the Green Grocer, is that right?”
“Yep. That’s us. The Green Grocer.” Miranda nodded, trying to get a read on the stranger who had sent her stomach into a freefall.
His strong features and sharp eyes were so familiar.
Yes, this was definitely the guy from the airport.
He didn’t exactly fit any of the tourist categories with his puffy vest and slacks.
A satchel was slung over his left arm, like he was on his way to an office.
But how had he possibly tracked her down?
It didn’t make any sense. She gave her head a little shake, wondering if she was dreaming.
He just stood there, giving her a once-over. His crow’s-feet deepened as he smiled, waiting for her to do what? Invite him in? Buy him a coffee? A new shirt?
“I’m Miranda, by the way, proprietor of the Green Grocer.” She extended her hand. “Did we meet at the airport last week?” She gestured to the stained shirt. “I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for that, but I feel like maybe I’m dreaming because how in the world did you find me?”
“Funny story.” The man cracked a wide smile as he extended his. “I’m Jim. Jim Cole.”
“Oh, Jim. Jim Cole. Voyager Travel Jim.” How many times was she going to say “Jim”?
She felt suddenly flustered. Maybe that explained the jolt of electricity that pulsed through her arm as their hands touched.
The Voyager Team was already here? There was no turning back now.
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t expecting you until later.
And, wait, we did meet, for lack of a better word, at the airport, right? ”
“Small world.” Jim kept his grip on her hand, shaking it repeatedly as he met her eyes.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, Miranda.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I don’t care about this shirt at all, I promise.
” He patted his satchel. “I have a clean one in my bag, but when I realized that my new client was the same woman I’d bumped into at the airport, I thought it might be funny to get a shirt made that read ‘I don’t know these people,’ but there wasn’t enough time.
So you get coffee-stained me instead.” He winked, surveying the store with a quick glance.
Miranda smiled. “I’m such a klutz, there’s every chance I’ll throw another coffee at you, so it makes sense not to ruin a second shirt.
” She gulped, aware that she was babbling.
She wasn’t used to feeling self-conscious, but this very attractive man, holding her hand, was back to staring at her with the most intense, deep brown eyes.
She inhaled quickly, trying to recover. “That is a small world to say the very least, but you’re also being very gracious because I’m sure I’m the one who bumped into you. ”
“Nope. It was all me.” After what felt like minutes, but was probably only a few seconds, Jim finally released her hand. His face broke out into a huge smile. “You’re exactly as I remember. Exactly. Well, you weren’t wearing the smock, or is it an apron?”