14. Chapter 14
Mila
“Don’t be nervous,” Jared says, holding my hand as we stroll toward the beach in the dark. We fall into step with a crowd of people who are walking in the same direction. “The first annual Glow Parade is going to be a huge success.”
We rushed to put together the event, sponsored by the Hank Heron Foundation specifically to support sea turtle conservation. The community rallied behind us, eager to help. Still, this was my idea, so I can’t help but feel a little anxious.
When we get to the beach, the whole shoreline glows soft and magical.
Kids wave amber and green glow sticks like magic wands, couples stroll the boardwalk in matching turtle-safe necklaces now sold at the Sticks & Stones Boutique, and volunteers hand out sea-turtle-shaped LED lanterns with warm filters so the light won’t disturb nesting or hatchlings.
They bob like friendly fireflies in the twilight.
I can’t help smiling. In the dunes nearby, turtles are growing in their nests, preparing to hatch. And I’m not the only one who cares. All of Friendly cares, and they’re here to show their support.
As dusk deepens, the parade begins. Families line up along the boardwalk and slowly make their way down the shoreline, amber lanterns swaying, green bracelets glowing, the ocean stretching dark and quiet beside us.
Kids laugh, parents chat, and the whole town looks like a string of twinkling stars come to life.
York trots at my side, tugging my hand with sticky lemon-bar fingers. “Mila, you have to carry the special turtle lantern. You’re the turtle scientist. It’s the rules.”
I laugh, taking the lantern from him. “And just who made the rules?”
“Hildy,” he says. “She always makes the rules, but Fisher and I don’t always follow them.”
When I glance over, Jared’s watching me instead of the glow parade. “What?” I ask, self-conscious under that look.
“Nothing,” he says softly. “Just feels right. You here. With all of us. You dreamed this up, and now…” He gestures at the glowing crowd. “Look at it.”
Before I can respond, Hazel’s voice rings out loudly enough to carry over the entire line of glowing marchers. “Don’t Mila and Jared make the cutest couple?”
Everyone within hearing distance cheers.
My face burns, but Jared just laughs and slides his hand into mine. “She’s not wrong.”
We walk the rest of the parade hand in hand, our turtle-safe lantern bobbing in front of us, the glow of Friendly’s future twinkling all around. And for the first time, I don’t just feel like a visitor passing through.
I feel like I belong.
I look over at Jared, and he’s looking back at me. Our eyes meet, and we share a soft smile.
They say home is where the heart is…
And they’re absolutely right about that.