Mark went out for an early walk on the beach on Friday. So far, he’d been successful in avoiding Collette all week. Of course, he’d barely left his cottage. Listened to another audiobook. Drove to Belle Island twice for meals, just in case. Started making lists of things he wanted to get done at the hardware store when he got back. Mr. Mason had checked in on him and told him that he wasn’t expected back at work until Tuesday. He was leaving Moonbeam early Monday. Only a few more days. He could do this.
And yet, he was feeling unsettled, and part of him wanted to just march into Collette’s bookstore and see her. Talk to her. But what good would that do? It wouldn’t change anything.
He reached the water’s edge, and Rose was sitting in her usual spot on the beach. “Morning, Rose.”
“Good morning. Join me? The sunrise is reflecting in the clouds. Isn’t it beautiful?”
He glanced at the sky as he sank onto the sand beside her. “I admit I’m going to miss the sunrises and sunsets here in Moonbeam. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in just a few weeks’ time. I just don’t ever look up when I’m at home. I’m always rushing around. To and from work.”
“Maybe things will change now that you’ve seen the magic in the sky.”
“Maybe.”
“May I ask you something?” Rose looked at him.
“Sure.”
“I thought I sensed some tension between you and Collette when you both were helping me with the auction.”
He laughed. “Yes, there was some.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking. I thought you two were friends.”
“We are. Were.” He closed his eyes, then opened them. “Things just got mixed up. Anyway, she’s just so… so out of my league.” There was that term again.
“What do you mean by that?”
“She’s beautiful, a world traveler, well-read, smart. She’s everything I’m not. I’m just a guy who works in a hardware store and has never even left the state of Florida.”
“That doesn’t make you any less of a wonderful person. Look how helpful you’ve been while you’re here. The friends you’ve made.”
“I could never be the kind of person she needs. The kind of man she needs. We’re total opposites.”
Rose looked at him thoughtfully. “You know, my Emmett and I, we were opposites. But I don’t think there were ever two people more in love. He was my whole world, and I would have given up anything to be with him. We learned to appreciate the differences. He passed away this last year and I miss him so much.”
“Oh, Rose. I’m sorry. That must be so hard.” No wonder she sometimes had a sad look at the edges of her eyes.
“It is hard. But my time here in Moonbeam is helping me heal. But see, if I would have gone with the whole he’s so different thing… I never would have had all those years with the most wonderful man. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone.” Rose stared at him for a moment. “Do you have feelings for her?”
“I… I do.” There, he’d said it. Admitted it. Admitted it to himself and out loud.
“Then you should talk to her. Tell her how you feel.”
“It’s too late now. I’ve been a jerk to her. Ran out on her. Avoided her.”
“And that can change now. You could go see her.”
“But it wouldn’t make any difference, really. I’m leaving in a few days.”
“But you said you only lived a little over an hour away. That’s not far.”
“I just…” His mother’s voice ricocheted through his mind. You’re not good enough for Collette. You’re stupid.
“Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself. You’re a good man, Mark. Smart. Look how you organized so many of the auction items so quickly. Well-thought-out groupings of items. You’re generous to give your time like that. You humor an old woman and sit out on the beach watching the sunrise with her. Any woman would be lucky to have you in their life.”
He stared at her, listening to her words. The words he’d yearned to hear for the longest time. The words he’d hoped his mother would say to him someday. That he was a good man. Smart. That he was worth something. He swallowed hard and took Rose’s hand in his. “Rose, you seem to know just what to say. I thank you for your kind words.”
She smiled gently at him. “I only speak the truth. And now what you do with my advice? That’s up to you.”
It was up to him. Rose was right. But what did he want to do with her advice? Did he want to listen to it? Did he truly believe her words about him after years of hearing what a loser he was?
“Anyway, think about what I said. You shouldn’t pass up any chance for happiness that fate puts directly in your path.”
“I’ll think about it. I promise.” He nodded and turned to look at the waves rolling to shore as if they’d help him sort it all out and give him the answers he was seeking.