1. Rafe

"Look out!"

The warning came a few seconds too late. My shopping basket slammed into another, and they hit a shelf together, sending a jar of raspberry preserves teetering on the edge. I reached out and grabbed it with perfect timing, my heart racing.

"Sorry about that." I looked up and saw a pair of hazel eyes shining. A light chuckle met my apology.

"No worries." His voice was warm and rich like dark chocolate, as I watched him rake paint-smudged fingers through his thick head of tousled, chestnut-brown hair. "These baskets have a mind of their own." He extended his hand, and the rolled sleeves of his navy blue Henley revealed tanned, tattoed muscular forearms. "I"m Theo Winstead."

"Rafe Wilder." His grip was firm and instantly calmed me.

Theo glanced back at the shelves. "Were you trying to decide between raspberry and blackberry?"

"Yep." I nodded. "Always a tough choice."

"Go with the raspberry. It"s my favorite and perfect for PBJ with almond butter."

"Ooo—almond butter. Fancy." I gently poked at him.

Theo"s posture relaxed. He had broad shoulders and a confident stance. While he frequently gestured with his hands when he spoke, the movements were almost artistic in their flow. "Guilty as charged. I"m an artist—well, gallery owner—and I guess it comes with the territory."

"I haven"t checked out any of the galleries in Blue Harbor."

"Mine"s not in the touristy gallery row on Main. I"m down by the marina. It"s not a big place, but I represent some incredible artists." Theo"s voice rose and the words tumbled out faster as he spoke about his gallery, sketching grand shapes in the air as if painting the scene for me.

His enthusiasm was contagious, drawing me to him. Questions flooded my brain with a desire to know more about this intriguing man.

The clatter of carts and buzz of fluorescent lights faded into the background. All I could focus on was Theo"s tall frame and the way his shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, hinting at the muscles beneath. A small scar above his left eyebrow added to his unique charm, a sign of an energetic man, living his life fully.

Theo"s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, what brings a stranger like you to our little corner of the world?"

I hesitated. If I shared too much, the weight of my past threatened to drag me down. "Honestly? Just needed a fresh start, a change of scenery." I forced a smile. "Blue Harbor seemed like the perfect place to turn the page."

"Welcome to the neighborhood. If you ever need a local to show you around or be a great source for jam recommendations, I"m here at your service."

A goofy grin spread into my cheeks, so wide that I thought it might split my face. "Thanks. I"ll keep that in mind, and how might I find you?"

He tugged a business card from his shirt pocket. It read Theo Winstead Gallery and included physical and website addresses. "That"s perfect. I"ll stop in sometime soon."

As I continued to navigate the store aisles, I caught more glimpses of Theo. We passed each other at the ends of shelves and we bumped into each other in the produce aisle, our hands brushing as we reached for the same head of cabbage.

As I joined the checkout line, Theo glanced over his shoulder. "Looks like we"re inseparable today."

"Must be fate." Internally, I did a little happy dance. I wanted to know more about Theo.

The cashier, a friendly woman with a warm smile, chimed in, "Don"t you forget to say hello to your mother for me, Theo."

"Will do, Grace."

In a startling surprise, Theo waited for me by the door to the market. "Which way are you headed? Did you park here in the lot?"

"Oh, I"m on foot. I live just a few blocks from here, above the Little Blue Bean."

Theo"s eyes opened wide. "That"s where I recognize you from. I"m a regular there. You work for , right? She"s my self-appointed guardian angel."

I laughed softly. "Yes, that would be me, and yes, I recognized you, but Sarah never properly introduced us, and I didn"t know about the gallery either."

"Then that collision was the world"s way of telling us it was time to say hello. By the way, I"m on foot, too. I can walk you part of the way. Our paths will split at Main Street."

As we exited the store, a breeze off Lake Michigan filled my lungs with a slight fish smell. Seagulls wheeled overhead with their sharp, piercing cries. Walking along the brick streets of downtown Blue Harbor, each step forward felt like I was shedding more of the weight of my past in New York City.

"So, Theo," I ventured, "what"s your Blue Harbor story? Are you a local, or did this town draw you from somewhere else like it did me?"

Theo"s footsteps faltered, and he stopped. He turned to me. A shadow passed over his face. "There"s something I should probably share with you, but it"s not easy."

I raised an eyebrow. "Hey, no pressure. Whatever you"re comfortable sharing."

"No, it"s okay, and it probably helps explain why I"m how I am. I… I lost someone very close to me a couple of years ago."

Theo looked down at the ground. His shoulders were tense. I placed a hand on his arm, hoping to provide comfort.

"I"m so sorry. Losing important people is incredibly difficult."

He nodded and took a long, deep breath. "It was my husband, Dawson." Having started, the rest of the words tumbled out quickly. "We were high school sweethearts and married young. He received a cancer diagnosis not long after we got home from our honeymoon."

Theo"s voice hitched, and he took another deep breath. "He fought hard, but… he passed away about two years later. I was a widower at 26. Things have been tough for me since then. I try hard not to be a hermit."

A cold fist tightened around my heart. The story was so horrifying, I could barely breathe.

Losing a spouse so young had to be one of the most painful things someone could endure. Following instincts, I reached out and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. It was the best I could do to offer comfort. He leaned in against me and exhaled.

"That"s so horrible. I"m sorry. I can"t imagine how hard it"s been, but if you ever need someone to listen, add me as an option."

Theo offered a small smile. "Thanks, you"d be surprised how much that helps." He took a shaky breath. "It"s just…it"s so fucking hard—please excuse the language—but it gets a little easier over time. Some days, I just need a good friend to distract me."

I squeezed his shoulder and let my hand linger in place for a few more minutes. We walked the next hundred yards or so in silence, letting the weight of Theo"s loss settle between us.

When we reached the lakefront, I gazed over the water, the sunlight sparkling on gentle waves. I hoped the beautiful sight might bring Theo some peace. I reached out and touched his forearm, silently offering my support.

Theo changed the conversation subject. He looked out over the water. "This is my favorite time of day. When it"s sunny, it"s like the entire world opens up down here. The sunshine sparkles on the water, and it looks like the sky goes on forever."

"And it"s so peaceful."

We stood side-by-side, enjoying the tranquil moments. Finally, Theo turned his head toward me. "This is where I head off. I"ll look forward to your visit to the studio."

"Thanks for the company." My gut twisted as he started to walk off. I called out to him. "It was great finally meeting you."

"Likewise," he called back. "Don"t forget, raspberry jam and almond butter."

When I reached the outside of the Little Blue Bean, the scents of fresh coffee and pastries greeted me like an old friend. I walked past the front windows and scrambled up the staircase on the side of the building leading to my apartment.

When I reached the door, the slightly chipped paint on the doorframe made me smile. The place wasn"t much, but it was mine, a refuge.

Pushing the door open, I stepped into my snug apartment. It had enough space to feel comfortable without being cramped. I closed the living room blinds to cut down on the intensity of the sunlight. After setting my grocery bag on the small kitchen counter, I took a deep breath and looked around.

I decorated the walls with the few framed family photos I"d brought from New York and some recent purchases in Blue Harbor. One of my favorites was a photograph of the Lake Michigan beach at sunrise. A bright orange sun sent purple and gold rays across the sky. I"d found it in a local shop, probably one of the touristy ones Theo mentioned.

As I tucked the groceries into cupboards and the refrigerator, I glanced over at the collage of vintage postcards I"d put together to cover most of one wall. It included a faded image of the Eiffel Tower, sepia tinted photos of the Great Pyramids, and a double-wide card of the Great Wall of China. Each showed parts of the world I"d always dreamed of exploring. For now, the postcards were the closest I could get to fulfilling my travel fantasies.

With everything in its place, I filled the electric kettle and dropped a tea bag into my mug. My big sister, Lainey, introduced me to the wonders of tea during my year of exile in the loving embrace she offered with her husband, Jack.

While I waited for the water to boil, I sat at my small kitchen table. It was a secondhand find, the surface scarred from decades of use, but the imperfections lent it abundant charm. I sanded it down and gave it a fresh coat of paint, sky blue.

My apartment and the building felt so right. In the far corner, I kept my bed neatly made with a vintage quilt passed down from my great-grandmother. Its patchwork colors warmed the room. Next to the bed, a small bookshelf held my collection of novels and cookbooks, each a vital part of my journey toward putting myself back together.

The kettle chimed, and I filled my mug. Sitting back at the table, I took a deep breath and repeated one of my daily affirmations. "You"re doing okay, Rafe." This time, I believed it.

A year ago, I was an entirely different person—lost, broken, and unsure whether I had a future. After my ex left a bruise I couldn"t hide, I took a one-way bus from Manhattan to Schenectady, where I grew up. Lainey and Jack took me in.

Jack suggested Blue Harbor. His best friend grew up in the Lake Michigan shore town and told many stories about its community. When it came time to venture back out on my own for a fresh start, I traveled halfway across the country to my little place above an excellent coffee shop. Every morning, I was grateful for my choice.

With my mug of tea half empty, I pulled the jar of raspberry preserves I"d purchased out of the cupboard, retrieved a knife, and tossed a slice of bread into the toaster. I didn"t splurge for almond butter, but I did follow Theo"s choice of berries. When I opened the jar and sniffed, the tart and slightly floral aroma made me smile. I knew it was a smell I would always identify with Theo.

After I devoured the toast, I settled in and sipped at the rest of my tea while savoring the flavor of raspberries that lingered on my tongue. I"d just pulled out my phone to check my email when a sudden knock at my door startled me. I needed to get to know more people in Blue Harbor before I could have regular visitors.

Curious, I opened the door. There, standing at the top of the stairs, was Theo. His voice was soft and a little hesitant. "I"m not catching you at a bad time, am I? And honestly, I"m not a stalker. You said above the Little Blue Bean, and this is the only apartment that fits that description. I couldn"t stop thinking about our conversation earlier and wanted to share something with you."

I stepped aside as my heart began to pound. At the least, I may have made a genuine new friend. "Come on in. It"s only me, no interruption."

Theo paused as he entered the apartment, taking in the cozy space. His eyes wandered from the family photos to the quilt on the bed. "You"ve made this place so charming, like you." He smiled and stuck his nose in the air. "And I smell raspberries."

"I was just having some toast and tea. Can I make you some?"

"Thank you, but no. I just ate lunch, and I wouldn"t want to impose." He pulled a small, framed canvas from behind his back. "I brought a little housewarming gift. I hope it"s something you like."

My hands trembled slightly as I took the gift. The painting on the canvas stole my breath. It was a stunning depiction of the Blue Harbor marina at sunset, with the sky a riot of bright orange, red, and yellow. "Is this… one of yours?"

Theo beamed. "It is. I love painting and drawing the lake. It never gets old."

Happy tears burned in the corners of my eyes. "This is incredible. I don"t know what to say."

He reached out and placed a hand over mine. "You don"t need to say anything. I only wanted to offer a piece of Blue Harbor"s beauty to welcome you to town. We"re happy to have you here."

Finally, I found my voice. "Thank you so very much. So far, I love it here. Deciding to move to Blue Harbor was the best decision I"ve made in a long time."

"I"m glad you like it. I don"t mean to run, but I do have to get going. A new exhibit is coming soon at the gallery, and I just received the shipment of pieces for it today. It was great running into you, Rafe."

"Yep, I agree. I think something beyond us must have crashed those baskets together. We were meant to cross paths."

Theo laughed. "Are you a believer in otherworldly forces?"

"Maybe." I blushed.

Theo turned to leave, but he hesitated at the door. "I really wish I could stay longer, but I"ve got to get back to the gallery. The new exhibit I"m putting together won"t set itself up, and I promised the artist I"d handle everything with the utmost care." He smiled apologetically. "Can I get a rain check on the tea?"

"Of course, I understand. The art world waits for no one, right?" I chuckled, hoping to add a note of levity. "I"m so glad you took the time to stop by. That painting means a lot to me."

"I"m happy that you like it. I wanted you to have a small piece of Blue Harbor"s beauty to call your own." Theo"s gaze was warm and sincere as he looked at me. "And I meant what I said earlier. I"m pleased you"re here. I know we"ve just met, but I can tell you"ll add a lot to the town.

He squeezed my hand. "Before I go… can I get your number? I"d love to hang out sometime when we"re both free. Maybe then, I can give you the top-line tour of Blue Harbor and share some of my favorite places."

My heart leaped. "I"d love that." We exchanged numbers, and I could barely wait until the next time I"d see Theo, my new friend.