Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
L una stepped out onto the wide porch at Serenity at Seagrove, the early morning sun beating down on her as she stared out over the beautiful South Carolina coastline. This moment was pure bliss. It was everything she’d dreamed about since she was a little girl, and the only thing that would’ve made it better was having both of her grandmothers there to share in it. Today was a huge day. After months of phone calls, meticulous planning, and emails back and forth, she was finally meeting Janine in person.
Luna had spoken to Janine several times while organizing the wellness center’s grand opening, and the yoga instructor’s warmth and energy had been infectious. If her phone conversations were anything to go by, Janine being involved with Serenity would be a perfect fit.
The sound of sandals clicking against the steps caught Luna's attention. She turned to see Janine approaching, her curly hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a yoga mat tucked under her arm. She was dressed in a breezy white tank top and pink leggings with a subtle floral pattern, radiating confidence and ease.
"Luna!" Janine called out with a bright smile.
"That's me," Luna said, stepping forward to greet her. "It's so great to finally meet you in person, Janine," she said, shaking her hand.
"Same here. I've been looking forward to this so much. It's not often that I find people in this town who care as much about holistic health as I do, and this place is absolutely stunning. I've so enjoyed watching it be built from the ground up. The pink color is so charming." Janine looked over the house and then back at Luna. "You know, it's got such a welcoming vibe. I can already tell this will be a great place for your guests."
"Thank you," Luna said. Compliments about Serenity felt deeply personal. "And I appreciate all your help watching over the project until I could get here. Come on inside. I'll give you a grand tour."
Inside, Luna led Janine through the main living area, pointing out the seating arrangements, the small but well-stocked library, and the kitchen with the ocean-facing window. Janine took it all in with a mix of admiration and excitement.
"This is perfect," Janine said. She looked out over the yoga deck that opened onto the dunes. "You know, I can already imagine morning classes out here with the sound of the waves as our soundtrack, and evening sessions with those lights. It's just going to feel like another world," Janine said.
"That's exactly what I was going for," Luna said. "You know, a place where people can escape and feel whole again."
Janine nodded. "It's a beautiful goal, and it's so needed today. Some people just need to breathe, you know. This is the perfect place for that. Seagrove itself is the perfect place for that, but this takes it to the next level."
They walked outside and settled onto the deck chairs to go over logistics. Janine opened a neatly organized folder filled with laminated schedules and notes.
"So I thought we could start with three weekly sessions just to get things rolling. Morning yoga at sunrise, an evening wind-down class twice a week. Does that align with your vision?"
"That sounds perfect," Luna agreed. "I want to ease into things, and once we see how the first classes go and how many guests I get, we can build from there."
They discussed themes for the classes, ideas for meditation add-ons, and a way to incorporate the natural beauty of Seagrove into their practices. The conversation with Janine flowed so easily, and Luna felt like they'd known each other for years instead of just weeks.
When they wrapped up the meeting, a voice called from the front of the house.
"Janine, I thought I'd find you here."
Luna looked up to see a woman with wavy blonde hair and a welcoming smile walking toward them. She wore a simple sundress and carried a canvas tote bag that read Down Yonder Bookstore. The resemblance to Janine was subtle but unmistakable.
"Julie," Janine said, standing up. "You're just in time to meet my new friend, Luna. This is her amazing place that will change lives in Seagrove."
Julie turned her smile to Luna and reached out a hand. "Hey, I'm Julie, Janine's sister. I own the bookstore in town."
“Don’t let her fool you. Julie is also a famous romance author.”
Julie waved her hand and laughed. “My sister is overstating that a bit. I am an author, but famous I am not.”
"Oh wow, it's so nice to meet you," Luna said, shaking her hand. "I've heard great things about your bookstore. SuAnn mentioned it when we were planning the grand opening."
"Oh, SuAnn," Julie said with a laugh. "She's our local networker. I think she might be responsible for half the friendships in this town."
Janine laughed. "Yeah, she's also responsible for all of the dessert orders at Hotcakes. She owns the bakery, as you know, but she's also our mother."
Luna stared at them. "SuAnn's your mother? How did I not know that?"
Julie chuckled. "Well, it's probably because she didn't tell you. Sometimes I wonder if we embarrass her or something."
Julie looked at the house. "I love what you've done here. Dawson and I own the inn just up the road, so if you ever need a good recommendation for something or a place to put overflow guests, just let us know. We're always happy to help. Dawson also does some contracting work and can build anything, so if you need that kind of help just reach out.”
"That's very kind of you," Luna said. "Thank you. It's been a bit overwhelming moving here. I only visited here once as a kid, though I'd always dreamed of coming back. Everybody has been very welcoming so far.”
"Well, that's Seagrove for you," Julie said. "Once you're here, you're family."
They chatted for a while longer, and Luna felt increasingly at ease. Julie talked about the inn, some funny mishaps with guests, and heartfelt moments that had made the business more than just a job.
When Janine and Julie left, promising to return soon, Luna lingered on the yoga deck for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the silence. Meeting Janine had been such a gift, and now she also knew Julie. For the first time since stepping foot in Seagrove, she felt the hope that this new chapter of her life might be everything she had ever dreamed it could be.
* * *
T he hum of the lunchtime crowd at the local café buzzed pleasantly in the background as Luna stepped onto the outdoor patio, the scent of coffee and fresh pastries mingling with the salty air from the nearby ocean. Small black wrought iron tables dotted the space, shaded by large umbrellas that swayed gently in the breeze. She was about to settle into a table in the corner when she spotted a familiar face waving her over.
Julie, with her blonde hair pulled back, sat at a table near the edge of the patio, a canvas tote bag from Down Yonder Bookstore propped up beside her chair. She had a half-eaten sandwich and a glass of sweet tea in front of her.
"Luna!" Julie called, motioning to the empty chair across from her. "Please join me. You're just in time for some Lowcountry sunshine and good company, I hope."
Luna smiled and made her way over. She'd met Julie just days ago, but her warmth and friendliness had made a big impression. It had been a long time since she’d had friends. Back in Austin, she was consumed with her work and taking on everyone else’s problems. Being alone in the world was hard. Luna had lost both of her parents before she graduated from high school. Her father died in a work accident when she was thirteen, and her mother of cancer when she was three months shy of graduating from high school.
"Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt your break."
"Oh, not at all," Julie said, waving her hand. "I was just thinking how lunch always tastes better with company. Please, sit."
Luna smiled and pulled out her chair, setting her bag beside her. "Thanks. This is a great spot for people-watching. The view of the square is amazing. I love all the moss on the trees."
"One of my favorite places to sit in town," Julie said. "Have you been over to the marsh yet? It's especially beautiful this time of year."
"I'm going to go over there today. I want to take some photos, maybe have them printed to hang on the walls of Serenity."
"How is Serenity coming along? Are you settling in okay?"
"I'm getting there," Luna said. "It just still feels so surreal sometimes. But I'm starting to get my footing. I can't wait to officially open. Janine has been so much help, and I think the yoga classes are really going to help my clients so much.”
"That's wonderful to hear. I'm not surprised about Janine. She's just got that gift for connecting with people. Your center is going to be the talk of Seagrove and probably the whole Southeast before long."
Luna chuckled. "Well, let's hope so."
The door to the café opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out, his dark brown hair ruffled by the breeze. Luna immediately noticed how he favored his left shoulder, his movements deliberate but careful. He looked around the patio area, his eyes narrowing slightly when he spotted Julie.
"Archer, there you are. I wondered if you'd make it," she said, waving him over.
He approached, and Luna felt an inexplicable tug of curiosity. His chiseled features carried a weariness that belied the physical strength he obviously had. Despite his brooding demeanor, there was something very magnetic about him. He reached their table, and Julie nodded toward Luna.
"Archer, this is Luna Mason," Julie said. "She's the one who’s opening Serenity at Seagrove. It's a holistic healing center. Luna, this is Archer Hawk, an old friend of my husband's."
Luna turned sideways and reached out her hand, but Archer hesitated briefly before shaking it. His grip was firm but not overly so, and his hand felt warm against hers.
"Nice to meet you," Luna said, keeping her tone light despite the look in his eyes.
"You too," he said, his voice deep and slightly gruff.
Julie gestured to the other empty chair beside her. "Sit down and join us. You could use a good meal."
Archer hesitated and then shrugged. "Sure, why not?" He lowered himself into the chair and glanced at the menu Julie slid across to him. He scanned the options as Julie turned back to Luna.
"So I was just asking Luna how things are going with her new business. She's got big plans for the place. Therapy, yoga, mindfulness workshops. Doesn't that sound amazing?"
Archer raised an eyebrow, putting the menu back on the table in front of him. "Yoga and mindfulness, huh? Sounds like a lot of woo-woo stuff to me."
Luna's smile faltered. "It's actually a lot more than that. I'm a licensed therapist, so the center will offer counseling and wellness programs. It's about creating a space where people can reset their lives and take care of themselves."
Archer leaned back slightly, his gaze steady on hers. "Sounds nice for vacationers, but I'm not sure how much real people need that."
Luna's cheeks felt warm, and she tried to mask her irritation. "You'd be surprised. Life has a way of throwing things at you that you can't handle by yourself, and sometimes people need a place to heal."
Julie glanced between them, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. "Archer, you'd benefit from Serenity more than most people I know."
He snorted softly. "Yeah, I think I'll stick to my physical therapy with an actual doctor, but thanks."
Tension hung in the air for a moment before he stood up, his chair scraping against the sidewalk. "You know, I'm gonna go stretch my legs by the marsh. Nice meeting you, Luna."
Without waiting for a response, he strode away, his posture rigid.
Luna watched him go before turning back to Julie, who sighed and shook her head. "I'm so sorry about that. Archer's, well, he's going through a rough patch."
"What happened?"
Julie hesitated. "Well, he was a professional golfer. A shoulder injury ended his career recently, and golf was everything to him. So now he's trying to figure out what's next and who he is without golf. It hasn't been easy for him, needless to say."
Luna nodded. She'd seen pain like this before, the kind that came when someone's identity was ripped away. "Well, that explains the chip on his shoulder," she said. “No pun intended.”
Julie smiled faintly. "He's a good guy underneath it all. Dawson's told me all kinds of stories. They grew up together. It'll just take some time for him to find his footing again."
Luna's gaze drifted towards the marsh where Archer had disappeared. Something about him intrigued her despite his rough edges. "Maybe," she said, "but he might need some help that a physical therapist can’t give.”
* * *
A rcher leaned back in the Adirondack chair on Dawson's porch with a glass of sweet tea in his hand. The faint crash of waves in the distance set the stage for relaxation, but Archer rarely relaxed these days. It was a picturesque evening, the kind that would make most people feel calm, but not Archer. His jaw tightened as he stared out at the dusky horizon, his mind a mess of frustration and disappointment.
"You're awfully quiet," Dawson said, sitting in the chair beside him. Dawson, who always had an easygoing charm, looked at home here, like he belonged to the land, the sea, and the community in a way that Archer never could.
"I'm just thinking," Archer muttered, swirling the tea around in his glass.
"That's dangerous if we do too much of it," Dawson said. "What's on your mind?"
Archer's grip tightened on the glass. He didn’t say anything for a moment, but then the words seemed to come tumbling out, sharp and bitter. "You ever have everything you've worked for, everything you've dreamed about, just ripped out from under you, just like that?" He snapped his fingers for emphasis.
Dawson didn't respond at first, letting the question hang in the humid air. "Not in the way you have, but I've lost things that mattered. I've had to start over."
"Starting over, that's what everybody keeps saying. 'You'll figure it out, Archer, you're young, you've got time.' " Archer scoffed. "You know what I had planned? I had the next ten years mapped out. Tournaments, majors, wins. I was gonna make history, maybe even get my name on a clubhouse somewhere, and now I can barely swing the dang club without this shoulder screaming at me. I’m in my forties with no idea what to do with the rest of my life.”
Dawson's expression stayed steady. "What about other options? Mentoring golfers? Coaching pros? You've got experience. That's something a lot of other players could learn from."
Archer shook his head. "I don't want to coach. I don't want to be a commentator or some talking head on TV. I want to play . That was my plan, Dawson. That was the plan."
Dawson leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "And now the plan changed. It happens to everybody, Archer. Life doesn't always follow the script we write, and at some point, age was going to catch up with you anyway."
Archer finally looked at him. "That's easy for you to say. You've got this ." He gestured around the porch, the inn’s soft glow inside spilling out onto the lawn. "You've built a life. You've got roots, family, and purpose. What do I have? A bum shoulder and a bunch of trophies that don't mean anything anymore. People are already forgetting about me."
"You've got a lot more than that," Dawson said. "You just can't see it yet."
Before they could continue, Dylan came bounding out the front door. “Dad, can I go meet Jason down by the water? He saw some crazy looking crab and wants to show it to me!”
Dawson laughed. “Yeah, buddy. Have fun, but get home before it gets too dark, okay?”
“Woohoo!” Dylan yelled as he ran toward the beach.
“That kid is always at one-hundred or sound asleep. I wish I had his energy,” Dawson said, watching as he disappeared down the beach.
“See? You have it all, man. I have no career, no wife, no kids. How did I end up here?”
“There’s a plan, Archer. You have to believe that. We can’t always choose our path, but we have to trust that we’ll get to the right destination in the end.”
Archer huffed out a breath and set his glass on the small table between them. "You sound like one of those self-help books that Julie probably has in the bookstore."
Dawson chuckled. "Maybe I've been married to her a little too long. But she's not wrong about those books. And she's not wrong about something else either."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"There's that new wellness center here in town, Serenity at Seagrove. Julie's been raving about it since she met the owner, Luna. It's not just about meditation and yoga, though those probably would do you some good." Dawson raised an eyebrow, daring Archer to argue with him. "She's a therapist. The real deal. It might be worth your time to check it out."
Archer scoffed immediately. "Therapy? Yoga? Meditation? Come on, man, you gotta be kidding me."
"I'm not," Dawson said. "I've known you a long time, and I know you're not the kind of guy who likes sitting still, but maybe that's what you need right now. A chance to clear your head and figure out what comes next. Finally deal with those emotions and the thoughts driving you crazy. They need to get out of that hard coconut of yours." He reached over and knocked his knuckles against Archer's head.
Archer stood abruptly, pacing the edge of the porch. He looked out at the darkening sky, his hands on his hips. "I don't need somebody to hold my hand and tell me it's all gonna be okay."
"No one's saying that," Dawson replied, "but you're carrying a lot right now. Maybe it's time to let some of it go."
Archer didn't respond. All he could hear was the gentle rustling of trees and waves breaking against the shore.
Dawson stood and joined him at the porch rail. "Look, I'm not trying to push you into anything you don't want to do, but you came back to Seagrove for a reason. Maybe this is part of it. Just give it some thought."
Archer glanced at him, his jaw tight. "I'll think about it."
"That's all I'm asking," Dawson said, holding up his hands. He gently clapped Archer on the back. "Now come on, let's grab another glass of tea and talk about something other than golf for a while."
The tension in Archer's shoulders eased just slightly. "Yeah, I think I could use the distraction."