Chapter one
Serena
“Miss Serena, look at me!”
I inwardly wince as little Rosie Duncan spins on her toes, wobbling and almost losing her balance. She’s adorable, no doubt. Graceful and coordinated? Not at all.
“Lovely, Rosie, I can’t wait to see you in class next week.” My teacher smile is pasted on my lips as I wave at Rosie’s parents while simultaneously handing out a flyer with my class schedule to another person.
“This ‘downtown business open house’ is such a genius idea.” Ashley’s familiar voice has me sagging in relief. “Finn and Pierre were thrilled to be invited, even though the winery isn’t exactly downtown. He’s getting tons of traffic to his booth asking about winery tours and lots of people are signing up for the new wine club.” She drops a paper bag down on the table in front of me. “And here is your very late lunch — or is it dinner by this point?”
“Who the heck cares, I’m starved. You’re an angel.” I tear open the bag and pull out the salad from our friend Mila’s café. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on any food for most of the day, so she’s not wrong about the timing of this. I’ll call itlunner.
I sit down gratefully and eat my food quickly as Ashley smiles at people walking past. I cast a gaze over the crowd, searching out people who might be interested in dance or yoga classes. The sad truth is, I’m already looped in with all the parents, so it’s slim pickings for new students. It’s a problem that’s increasing over time as kids decide they’re too old for dance or want to try other activities. Living in a small town has plenty of perks, but a small population that doesn’t grow is one of the downsides for a dance studio like mine that depends on children to fill the classes.
“Excuse me, have you got any classes for really little ones? Three years old?”
I look up from my salad to see a woman I recognize from around town but certainly don’t know well. Standing up, I set aside my food and give her my biggest smile. “Yes, I run a tiny tot program for two- to four-year-olds, but it’s parent participation.”
The woman beams. “Excellent, that sounds perfect. Thank you.” Then she picks up a class schedule, and with a quick wave, she’s gone.
“I wonder why she was asking; I was sure all of her kids were adults,” Ashley comments.
“Yeah, I know I’ve seen her around, but I have no clue who she is.”
“I think she’s a Donnelly. She’s got a bunch of sons and one daughter, if I remember right. They brought her to the winery for a tasting on her birthday. Good-looking guys, I must say,” Ashley waggles her eyebrows and smirks. “A bit young for my taste, but nice to look at, that’s for sure. I didn’t realise any of them have kids.”
That explains why I don’t know her well. Women with adult children aren’t exactly my target customer base. But then, like Ashley said, why was she asking about tiny tots?
“Can I just say, thank you for helping me run the booth today?” I reply with a smile. “I know the open house is good for business, but every year it gets busier and busier.”
The sound of the street musician down the road filters through the chatter and laughter of the crowd as I survey the community, looking for potential new students.
“No problem. Finn and Pierre have the winery booth under control, so I’m happy to help.”
“You’re coming to Hastings after all of this, right?” Ashley asks, pulling her long hair up into a ponytail. She’s one of a few new additions to our town, moving here permanently after falling in love with Finn McNeil, who runs the winery just outside of town.
“I think so.”
My vague reply goes unnoticed by Ashley as I work to cover up the pit in my stomach that grows every time I’m near our large group of friends or someone mentions all the life changes happening to my closest friends.
Weddings. Babies. Engagements.
It’s hard not to feel just a tiny bit jealous of it all, even though I’m thrilled for them. Their businesses are flourishing, their lives are full of happiness and love, and every dream they’ve ever had has come true.
Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure I’m on my way to becoming the next Mrs. Henderson, destined to be alone, talking to myself as I feed the birds in the town square.
This isn’t the way I pictured my life turning out, that’s for sure. Twenty years ago, I thought I had it all. A scholarship to a top dance school on the East Coast, two parents who loved and supported me, and a boyfriend who was my soul mate in every sense of the word.
Funny how none of that lasted.
The good stuff never really does. Not for me, at least. But I’m happy. It took a while to get to this point where I can say that and honestly mean it, but I am.
Thankfully, the late afternoon foot traffic picks up and I can’t dwell on how I’m feeling left behind while my friends’ lives all change for the better. I’m too busy dancing in place to the sound of the street musicians, calling out to my students as they walk by, and sharing hugs and stories. And my crazy energy pays off. I manage to fill my sign-up sheets for the free classes I’m offering next week as a trial for new students.
The distant sound of a voice I haven’t heard in almost two decades has me jolting upright in shock, my eyes scanning the crowd, even though I know I won’t see him. There’s no reason at all forhimto be in Dogwood Cove. But that doesn’t stop my heart from thumping wildly at the sound of a similar baritone voice.
“You okay, Serena? For a minute there, it looked like you’d seen a ghost.” Ashley’s voice penetrates the haze in my brain.