Chapter THREE

Ariel stepped out of her car and breathed in the cold, salty ocean air. Endless Harbor looked just as charming in winter as it did in the full blush of summer. Colorful clapboard houses lined the streets, window boxes overflowing with cheerful flowers. Up ahead, the lighthouse stood tall and proud, overlooking the harbor, its red stripes vibrant against the clear blue sky.

Seagulls wheeled and called overhead as Ariel made her way down Main Street. She paused to peer in the windows of the shops she loved. There was the bakery with its cases filled with doughnuts, cookies, and fruit pies. The scent of warm cinnamon wafted out as a customer exited. Aside from her own baking, it was the best in the town. Next door was the bookshop, its window display showcasing the latest bestsellers, its aisles home to dusty leather-covered classics and dime novels with yellowing pages.

Ariel"s heart swelled with nostalgia. She had missed this place when she had been in Miami, even though she hadn't known it. Endless Harbor would always be home.

She continued on her way, stopping at the grocery for last-minute supplies. Mrs. Jenkins, the white-haired owner, greeted her with a smile. "Well, look who"s back! I thought you bought everything you needed earlier this week?"

"Just a few extra things," Ariel admitted sheepishly, brandishing her list. She grabbed a cart from the front and made short work of the list, piling items into the basket. They chatted about Cliffside while Mrs. Jenkins rang up Ariel"s purchases - plastic cutlery, paper plates, napkins, and an assortment of granola bars, candies, and snacks. She had planned out the meals, but guests did like a little late-night junk food every once in a while.

Ariel"s next stop was the bakery. The bell above the door announced her arrival with a cheerful jingle. There was a last-minute treat that Ariel wanted to have ready, and with time running out, she hoped Mrs. Campbell would come through.

"Ariel, so good to see you!" called Mrs. Campbell from behind the counter. The plump, flour-dusted baker had been supplying Endless Harbor with bread and sweets for as long as Ariel could remember.

"I need two dozen cupcakes for an engagement party," said Ariel. "Chocolate and vanilla. I know it's late notice—"

"Coming right up!" Mrs. Campbell bustled about, carefully packing the cupcakes into neat boxes. The rich aroma of chocolate mingled with the sweetness of vanilla icing.

Ariel"s mouth watered as she watched Mrs. Campbell add the finishing touches - a swirl of frosting and a sprinkle of edible gold glitter on each one. They were perfect.

"Here you are, dear." Mrs. Campbell handed the boxes over with a smile. "Give my best to the bride and groom."

"I will," promised Ariel, touched by the baker"s thoughtfulness. This was one of the things she loved about Endless Harbor - the way everyone cared about each other like family.

With the cupcakes safely stowed in her car, Ariel took a moment to breathe in the sugary bakery air one last time. She couldn"t wait to see everyone"s faces when they bit into these sweet treats.

Ariel"s next stop was Jenkins Deli. The bell above the door announced her arrival as she stepped inside the quaint store.

"Ariel, welcome back!" Mrs. Jenkins called out warmly from behind the antique register. The elderly shopkeeper"s eyes crinkled with smile lines as she came around to give Ariel a hug.

"It"s good to see you, Mrs. Jenkins," said Ariel, returning the embrace. "How have you been?"

"Oh just fine, keeping busy with the store and Mr. Jenkins puttering around the house," Mrs. Jenkins replied with a chuckle.

They chatted about goings-on around town as Ariel ordered tubs filled with olives, pickled peppers, cold salads, and dips. Mrs. Jenkins asked after Katie, and Ariel"s pride was evident as she shared updates on her daughter"s new art accomplishments.

"Art camp all the way in California? You must be so thrilled for Katie," said Mrs. Jenkins. "Her talent is such a gift."

Ariel agreed, warmed by the shopkeeper"s genuine joy. After paying, she stashed her purchases again in the car and moved to one more stop, setting off for the florist with growing excitement. The engagement party was coming together perfectly.

Ariel pulled open the door to the Endless Harbor Florist, the tinkle of a bell announcing her arrival. She breathed deep, inhaling the rich fragrance of fresh-cut blooms.

"Ariel, so good to see you!" Maggie, the florist, came bustling from the back room, her blonde hair escaping its bun.

"Hi, Maggie," Ariel smiled, giving the older woman a quick hug. "I"m here to pick up the bouquets for the party tomorrow."

"Of course, of course! Let me grab those for you." Maggie hurried off, returning moments later with a crate that cradled six stunning arrangements of red roses, pink carnations, baby"s breath, and greenery in crystal vases.

"Beautiful," Ariel said, gently touching the velvety petals.

As Maggie wrapped the bouquet, they chatted about the party preparations and Ariel"s hopes for the upcoming holiday with Miles. Though trying not to get her expectations too high, she couldn"t help imagining what romantic gesture he might have planned.

"Any idea what Miles has up his sleeve for Valentine"s Day?" Ariel asked casually while paying for the flowers. "It seems every husband in Endless Harbor must have come through here in the past week."

"Oh, I couldn"t say," Maggie winked. "That man has to know how to plan something special though. He was the harbor's most eligible bachelor before you came back and won him over."

Ariel suppressed a grin, simultaneously thrilled and nervous at the thought. She bid Maggie goodbye and headed out to the car, carefully nestling the roses on the seat beside her.

Driving back to the BB, Ariel rolled down the windows, letting the icy ocean air tousle her chestnut waves. Her anticipation was building, but she focused on getting everything ready for the celebration tomorrow. This Valentine's Day already felt magical.

Ariel pulled into the gravel driveway of Cliffside, gazing up at the stately three-story Victorian home. Jill came out onto the front porch and then down the steps, and Ariel smiled—an unexpected surprise.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had a shift at the diner?"

Jill embraced Ariel as Ariel climbed from the car.

"Ralph kicked me out. He said it was too slow for all of us to be standing around staring at each other, so we could either clean the grease traps of skedaddle."

"You skedaddled," Ariel observed. She chuckled at the thought of the gruff-but-kindhearted owner of The Throwback Diner "kicking out" his employees. Likely, he was just worrying over the coming snow storm.

"Indeedle," Jill replied. "I thought you could use help making everything perfect for the whole-house booking."

"And see Darcy in the process?"

Jill blushed. "A side benefit."

Giggling, the pair grabbed the boxes and bags from Ariel's supply run and headed inside, the scent of Darcy"s famous apple pie already wafting from the kitchen.

"Something smells amazing in here," Ariel called out, setting down her packages.

Darcy popped his head out from the kitchen, flour dusted across his forehead. "Hey! Just finishing up some of the treats for the weekend. Need any help?"

"We're all set, thanks," Ariel smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness.

"Miles said to tell you he went to the shop. Going to try to get some work done before tonight."

"Thanks!" Ariel peered into the dining room, where Jill was already artfully arranging the new floral centerpieces Ariel had picked up. Twinkling string lights and candles cast a warm glow about the space. Ariel took a moment to breathe it all in, letting the cozy ambiance soothe her buzzing thoughts.

Though tempted to ask Jill if she knew anything about Miles" Valentine"s Day plans, Ariel held back. She wanted to simply enjoy the magic of the moment and the love surrounding her, without any expectations. There would be time for surprises soon enough. And she didn't want to put Jill—her best friend—in a weird spot, if Miles had confided in her.

Ariel stepped further into the dining room, admiring Jill"s handiwork with the flowers.

"These look beautiful, Jill," she said. "The pink and the roses really warm up the whole space."

She began helping Jill arrange the silverware and napkins, making sure each setting was elegant yet inviting. As she worked, Darcy came in and out with items to stock the bar, and she noticed Jill and Darcy exchanging sweet glances and touches when they passed by each other. Their connection was palpable.

Ariel felt a swell of happiness for her friends. Though still hoping for a surprise from Miles for the big day, she realized seeing Jill and Darcy"s romance blossom was a gift in itself.

"I"m so excited you two are celebrating your first Valentine"s Day together," she said to Jill when Darcy had gone back to the kitchen. "You"re so clearly smitten."

Jill blushed. "I can"t believe it took us this long to get together. But better late than never!"

Ariel"s heart warmed witnessing their affection. No matter what the evening held for her, she was grateful to be surrounded by love. She finished arranging the napkins and stepped back to survey the dining room. The tables were draped in elegant white linens and set with shimmering silverware and crystal stemware. Vases of flowers adorned each table, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Candles flickered softly, casting a romantic glow over the space.

It was perfect. Exactly the charming, intimate setting Ariel had envisioned for the engagement party. She could already imagine the joyful chatter and laughter that would soon fill the room when the guests arrived.

Glancing at the antique grandfather clock in the corner, she realized she should call it an early evening. The guest would arrive in the morning, early. Everything seemed to be in place.

As Ariel made her way upstairs to her room, she took a moment to pause and look out the window at the harbor down below. The late afternoon sun glittered on the gentle waves. A few boats bobbed along the docks.

She breathed in the salty sea air, feeling a sense of peace. This place held so many memories for her. Endless Harbor would always be her home, and she was so happy to be back now, especially with all that she had accomplished in such a short time. Ariel said a silent prayer of gratitude for the blessings in her life.

Whether Miles had a surprise in store or not, simply being together on Valentine"s Day was gift enough. The lingering memory of Bradford—no way he was the BB in her guest list, right?—made her even more grateful. Miles would never break her heart the way the musician had in the past.

With a contented sigh, she turned from the window and headed upstairs, eager to rest and be ready for the celebration ahead. But fate had other plans. As her foot hit the bottom step, her phone beeped with a message from Miles.

She swiped to see his message—Dinner?—and smiled.