Tinsel & Tides (Starfish Inn #1)

1. Olivia

Olivia

Olivia Hartley's knuckles were white on the steering wheel as she navigated her sleek sedan through the narrow streets of Mistletoe Cove. The quaint New England town seemed to mock her with its twinkling lights and cheerful holiday decorations. A stress headache pounded behind her eyes, a constant companion these past few weeks.

As Olivia passed the picturesque town square, adorned with a towering Christmas tree and a chorus of carolers, she couldn't help but sense a twinge of resentment. The seasonal cheer that seemed to radiate from every corner of Mistletoe Cove only served to deepen her sense of frustration and exhaustion.

"Forced vacation," she muttered, glaring at a group of carolers assembled in the town square. "As if I have time for this."

Her GPS chirped, announcing her arrival at the Starfish Inn. Olivia pulled up to a Victorian house that looked like it had jumped straight out of a Hallmark movie. Garlands framed every window, and warm light spilled onto the snow-dusted lawn. She sighed, killing the engine.

For a moment, she sat in silence, eyeing the inn warily. Part of her wanted to turn around and head straight back to Boston, back to the comfort of her corner office and the familiar chaos of the city. But her boss had been clear: take two weeks off or risk a complete burnout.

"Two weeks," Olivia said to herself, gathering her resolve. "I can do this."

She stepped out of the car, immediately regretting her choice of heeled boots as they sank into the snow. Popping the trunk, she began the awkward process of unloading her luggage – a large suitcase, a briefcase bursting with files, and her laptop bag.

"Need a hand with that?"

Olivia turned, startled by the deep voice. A man stood nearby, tall and broad-shouldered, with salt-and-pepper hair peeking out from under a knit cap. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and Olivia felt an unexpected flutter in her chest.

"I'm fine, thank you," she said automatically, then promptly dropped her briefcase, spilling papers onto the snowy ground.

The man chuckled, already bending to help gather the scattered documents. "Looks like you could use some help after all. I'm Jack, by the way. Jack Sawyer."

Olivia felt her cheeks warm, and not only from the cold. "Olivia Hartley," she replied, accepting the papers he handed her. "And... thank you."

"Happy to help," Jack said, easily lifting her suitcase. "Though I have to say, that's a lot of work for someone on vacation."

Olivia bristled. "Who says I'm on vacation?"

Jack's eyebrow rose as he glanced pointedly at the inn. "Well, unless you're here on business, the Starfish Inn isn't exactly a corporate retreat."

"I'll have you know that I can work from anywhere," Olivia retorted, following him up the path to the inn's entrance.

Jack paused at the door, his expression softening. "Sure, but maybe you shouldn't. It's a beautiful town, especially this time of year. Might be worth taking a break to enjoy it."

Before Olivia could respond, Jack continued, "We've got a bit of a storm rolling in tonight. I need to head down to the harbor and make sure everything's battened down. Harbor master's work is never done."

Despite herself, Olivia felt a spark of curiosity. "You're the harbor master?"

Jack nodded, a hint of pride in his smile. "Born and raised here in Mistletoe Cove. Couldn't imagine doing anything else."

The door swung open, cutting off further conversation. Two women stood in the entryway, both with welcoming smiles that made Olivia suddenly self-conscious.

"You must be Olivia," the older of the two said, extending her hand. "I'm Margaret Winters, and this is my sister Elizabeth. Welcome to the Starfish Inn."

Olivia shook their hands, acutely aware of Jack still standing behind her with her suitcase. "Thank you. It's... charming," she managed, the word foreign on her tongue.

Elizabeth beamed. "Oh, we're so glad you think so! We do our best to make it a home away from home, especially during the holidays."

Jack set down the suitcase inside. "Ladies, always a pleasure. Olivia, enjoy your stay. And remember what I said about taking a break." With a wink that made Olivia's stomach do an unexpected flip, he was gone, leaving her alone with the Winters sisters.

Margaret led the way inside, pointing out the cozy living room with its crackling fireplace, and the sunlit breakfast nook overlooking the garden. "And here's our little library," she said, gesturing to a room lined with bookshelves. "Feel free to borrow anything that catches your eye."

Olivia nodded, her mind already drifting to the work waiting in her briefcase. She followed the sisters up a creaking staircase to the second floor.

"Here we are," Elizabeth announced, opening a door. "The Seahorse Room. I hope you'll be comfortable."

Olivia stepped into the room, her gaze immediately drawn to the large window overlooking the harbor. The gentle rocking of the boats in the fading afternoon light was strangely mesmerizing, and the subtle scent of sea salt in the air reminded her of childhood vacations long forgotten. The nautical-themed decor, with its weathered wood and soft blues and whites, felt worlds away from the stark, modern aesthetic of her Boston apartment.

The sisters' voices faded into the background as Olivia took a moment to absorb her surroundings. This room, with its cozy armchair and antique desk, felt almost... inviting. The thought caught her by surprise, and she quickly turned her attention back to the work waiting in her laptop bag, determined to dive back into her familiar routine.

"Dinner's at seven," Margaret informed her. "But if you'd prefer to eat in your room, just let us know."

"Thank you," Olivia said, already reaching for her laptop bag. "I might do that. I have quite a bit of work to catch up on."

The sisters exchanged a look that Olivia pretended not to notice. As soon as they left, she set up her laptop on the antique desk, flexing her fingers in anticipation of diving back into her familiar routine.

As she opened her email, her phone buzzed. Her boss's name flashed on the screen, and Olivia answered immediately.

"Charles, hi. No, you're not interrupting anything."

As her boss detailed a potential crisis with one of their biggest clients, Olivia felt her stress levels rising again. "Of course, I can handle it," she assured him, already pulling up relevant files on her laptop. "I'll call Brian right away and smooth things over."

By the time she hung up, Olivia's head was pounding again. She glanced at her watch – almost seven. The thought of going downstairs and making small talk over dinner seemed exhausting.

But as she turned back to her laptop, something caught her eye. Through the window, she could see lights twinkling in the harbor. A few snowflakes had begun to fall, dancing in the glow of the street lamps.

For a moment, a short moment, Olivia felt a tug of something – longing, perhaps? She shook her head, dismissing the sensation. There was work to be done.

Still, as she made her way downstairs, having decided that a proper meal might help her focus, Olivia found herself thinking of Jack's words. Take a break. Enjoy the town.

She stepped into the dining room, the aroma of home-cooked food making her realize how hungry she was. And there, sitting at the corner table with a mug of something steaming, was Jack.

He looked up, catching her eye, and smiled. Olivia felt that same flutter in her chest.

Maybe, she thought, as she made her way to an empty table, a small break wouldn't hurt after all.