Chapter 1
A Change of Scenery
Under the bleached canopy of a cloudless southern sky, Anna drove her rental car across the bridge onto Fripp Island, South Carolina. She adjusted her oversized sunglasses, taking in the unfamiliar tropical scene around her. Towering palmetto trees rustled rhythmically with the ocean breeze, their broad fan-like fronds swaying as if outstretched arms welcoming her to this secluded sanctuary far from the heartache she left behind.
In her tiny, cramped Manhattan apartment half a country away, Fripp Island had seemed like a faraway dream, a fanciful figment born of desperation and restlessness. Yet here she was, heart still tender but resolute, ready to start fresh and carve out a new, quieter place for herself in this lush, verdant reality.
She pulled her overstuffed suitcase behind her, its wheels crunching loudly over crushed seashells blanketing the road. The warm ocean air felt different here – thicker, saltier, infused with sea spray and carrying whispers of adventure that tickled at her curiosity. A thrill tingled through her as she imagined exploring the island’s hidden corners and secrets, far from the deafening city noise she was accustomed to.
“Hey there, need some help with those bags?”
The male voice broke through her thoughts, startling her. She turned around and met a pair of friendly twinkling blue eyes peering out from under a faded, sun-bleached baseball cap. His cotton shirt clung to his tanned, muscular frame as he approached her, revealing years spent wrestling with ocean waves and reeling in feisty marlins.
“I’m Josh,” he said in a warm drawl, flashing a dimpled grin as he extended his hand, calloused and roughened by years of seafaring work. “You look a little lost – I’d be happy to show you around the island if you’d like.”
His offer held promise – an opportunity to see Fripp Island through the eyes of a handsome, affable local. Her heart gave an unexpected flutter.
“Nice to meet you, Josh,” she replied with a hesitant but grateful smile, shaking his hand. “I’m Anna and I’d really appreciate that.”
With introductions made and her overstuffed luggage safely stowed in the bed of his weathered pickup truck, they set off to explore the heart of the island.
Driving slowly along narrow, shaded lanes canopied by gnarled live oaks dripping with wispy Spanish moss, Josh pointed out local landmarks and shared colorful snippets of island history and lore – tales of notorious pirates said to have buried stolen treasures deep beneath their sandy feet and ghostly shipwrecks that still lay undisturbed beneath the rolling aquamarine surf. His warm laughter echoed off the trunks of the ancient trees, instantly putting Anna at ease.
At a secluded, rocky cove far from the main beaches, Josh helped Anna down from the elevated truck, mindful of her city heels sinking into the soft sand. He gestured widely towards the endless hypnotic expanse of azure ocean before them, where a pod of dolphins frolicked playfully in the distance.
“Most tourists don’t know about this out-of-the-way spot,” he admitted, flashing that dimpled grin that lit up his suntanned face. “It’s one of my favorite places on the island to relax and take in the views.”
Anna found herself captivated not just by the raw, untouched beauty of the sheltered cove but also by Josh himself. His easygoing manner and genuine passion for island life was infectious.
In turn, lulled by the rhythm of the waves, she slowly opened up and shared fragments of her own story – about her stressful, nonstop job in the bustling city and her recent painful breakup that left her heartbroken. She talked about how the unrelenting loneliness and isolation of city life had worn her down, and how she ended up impulsively renting a cottage on Fripp Island, seeking peace and solace in a place far removed from her exhausting previous life.
Josh listened attentively, his warm gaze never wavering from her face. The kindness and understanding in his earnest blue eyes was comforting, like a soothing lullaby after a nightmare.
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, they found themselves at the weathered end of a long fishing pier jutting out into the sea. The evening sky was ablaze with vibrant hues – sweeping strokes of molten gold, tangerine and rose fanning out across the darkening canvas. They sat side by side in easy companionship, legs dangling over the edge, as they silently watched nightfall creep in.
“Thanks again for showing me around today,” Anna finally murmured, breaking their comfortable silence as the first stars blinked into view overhead. “It really meant a lot.”
“My pleasure, Anna,” Josh replied softly, turning to look at her. The reflection of the fading sunlight danced across his handsome face. “I’m glad I could help you forget your worries for a little while, if only for today.”
Anna studied his profile, his strong jawline, the curve of his wind-chapped lips. For a fleeting moment, she considered reaching out and taking his rough, calloused hand in her own. But she didn’t, the moment passing like a whisper.
Instead, she smiled gratefully at him once more and said sincerely, “You did help me forget. This was exactly what I needed.”
And as night gently cloaked Fripp Island in its soft, velvety blanket of darkness, Anna felt something shift subtly within her heart. She wasn’t quite sure what it was, but for the first time since her arrival, she felt the faintest glimmer of hope flickering back to life inside her. The acute loneliness and heartache that had trailed her here from the city like shadows seemed a little less heavy now.
Anna knew she had many more island secrets left to uncover during her stay, and maybe even a few of her own yet to discover. And with kind, compassionate Josh by her side, she was ready to explore wherever this journey took her next. She fell asleep that night with a soft smile still lingering on her lips, feeling the promise of new beginnings.
After their cove visit, Josh took Anna to a popular local seafood restaurant for dinner. The Southern Salt Shack was a laidback, beachy spot with picnic tables, strings of lights, and rock music playing over the speakers. Families and couples crowded the outdoor space, cracking into boiled shrimp, fried catfish, and baskets of hushpuppies.
Josh led them to a table in the corner. “Hope you’re hungry,” he said, grinning. “They don’t skimp on portions here.”
A server arrived and they ordered heaping plates of shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and cheese biscuits. The food arrived steaming hot and smelling delicious.
Anna took a bite of creamy grits mixed with plump shrimp and peppers. “Mmm this is incredible,” she said. “Best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had.”
“Told you so,” Josh said with a wink. He dunked a biscuit in his soup. “The grits come straight from a local mill and the shrimp boat docks just down shore. You can’t beat Lowcountry cuisine.”
Over their meal, Josh and Anna fell into easy conversation. Josh asked about Anna’s life in New York and she found herself opening up about her childhood in Connecticut, her book editing career, and even the heartbreak that had spurred her trip down south.
“I’m sorry about the rough patch,” Josh said gently. “But sometimes you have to get knocked down before you find the right path again. There’s no doubt you’ll bounce back stronger.”
Anna smiled, immediately put at ease by his kind eyes and warm presence. She realized she felt more herself in this moment than she had in years up north.
After dinner, they walked along the harbor as the sun set in streaks of orange and pink behind bobbing boats.
“Come sailing with me tomorrow,” Josh said suddenly. “I want to show you the islands from on the water. I’ll pack us lunch – how’s pimento cheese sandwiches sound?”
“That sounds amazing,” Anna said, thrilled by the invitation. “I’d love that.”
The next morning, they motored out of the marina in Josh’s small sailboat. The skies were a sweeping blue and the wind was perfect. Dolphins leapt around them as they sliced through the calm bay.
“You’re a natural sailor,” Josh called over the breeze, after Anna easily followed his instructions on adjusting the boom and trimming the sails.
“Beginner’s luck I think,” Anna laughed. She tilted her face up to the sun, breathing in the tangy air. The boat rocked gently beneath them as Josh pointed out landmarks and shared tips he’d learned from years on the water. Anna was amazed by his deep connection to this place.
That evening, Josh took Anna to an open mic night at a beach bar called The Driftwood Shack. A small stage was set up outside, surrounded by picnic tables with candles flickering on them. The talent was incredible – soulful singers with drifting guitars, slam poets, old fishermen telling stories.
“You should perform something,” Josh said when she told him how much she was enjoying the music.
“Oh, I don’t know…” Anna said. She used to sing but had gotten shy about it over the years.
“Come on, you’ll be great. I’ll go up with you if it helps,” he encouraged.
Before she knew it, Anna found herself on stage singing an acoustic rendition of an Indigo Girls song she loved. She started nervously but soon her voice rang out clear and strong. Josh watched proudly from a table up front. The crowd whooped when she finished and Anna walked off stage exhilarated.
“You were amazing!” Josh hugged her. “I told you so.” Anna laughed, still buzzing from the performance high and from sharing the experience with this vibrant new friend.
On Anna’s final day on the island, Josh organized a moonlit picnic on a secluded stretch of beach. He led the way down a wooded path to a cove framed by driftwood and dunes. As the sun set, they dined on cold fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie packed by Josh. They chatted comfortably beside a small bonfire, bare feet buried in the sand.
When darkness fell, the full moon shone brightly on the rippling sea. Josh pointed out the constellations overhead.
“I can’t remember the last time I slowed down enough to stargaze,” Anna said. She felt a pang, wishing she and Josh had more nights like this together.
“New York is an amazing city but you have to get out of the concrete jungle sometimes. Come back and visit anytime,” Josh said.
Anna smiled. “I’d love that.”
“Maybe I could even visit you in the city soon,” Josh suggested tentatively.
“I’d really like that,” Anna said. Josh’s eyes lit up. Neither was eager for their time together to end.
Chapter 2
Island Tour
Sunlight glistened on the water as Josh’s charter boat, the Sea Song, cut through the glassy morning surface of the Atlantic. The wind carried a salty tang, ruffling Anna’s hair and drawing a carefree laugh from her lips. Her laughter rang out brightly against the drone of the boat’s engine, momentarily drowning out the hum as her eyes crinkled with mirth.
“You’ve got quite a view here, Captain,” she called over the now steady thrum of the engine.
Josh’s dimpled grin flashed in response, creasing his tanned and weathered face. “Better than a skyscraper, wouldn’t you say?” he called back.
Anna smiled back, tucking a loose strand of wind-tousled hair behind her ear. Her gaze drank in the scenery – marshlands teeming with life, pelicans diving for their breakfast, and the sun-kissed island in the distance. It was nothing like the steel and concrete jungle of New York City that she called home.
They sailed into Fripp’s marina where Josh docked the Sea Song with practiced ease, looping ropes around cleats and tying quick, efficient knots. The island bustled with activity as locals readied their businesses for another day of summer tourists. The smell of fresh-baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery, mixing with the briny sea air to create an intoxicating blend.
“Ready to meet Fripp?” Josh asked, extending his weathered and calloused hand to help Anna off the gently rocking boat.
Her smooth fingers brushed against his work-roughened palm – a fleeting touch that sent a small but unexpected jolt through him. He tucked away that surprising thrill, focusing instead on leading her around his beloved home island.
As they wandered through quaint streets and hidden wooded paths, Josh introduced Anna to Fripp’s close-knit island community – fishmongers tossing the morning’s catch onto ice-packed counters, artisans displaying handcrafted wares under the shade of gnarled live oaks. Children laughed and squealed as they scampered around a splash pad while their parents lounged on nearby benches, sipping sweet tea and trading local gossip and news.
Josh’s stories wove a vivid tapestry of life on Fripp Island – his childhood adventures on its sandy beaches, his first job as a teenager at Johnson’s Bait and Tackle shop, and how he had saved up enough over the years to finally buy the Sea Song.
Anna listened, captivated, letting his smooth southern drawl wash over her. She laughed brightly at his humorous tales, asked questions about the rhythms of island living, and let the warm southern charm seep into her bones. It was so different from her own fast-paced life back in New York – slower, quieter, richer in a way she couldn’t quite articulate.
Yet even amidst the easy laughter and storytelling, a subtle undercurrent hummed between them. A glance held a second too long. A touch lingering on the curve of an elbow. An infectious laugh from Anna setting off fluttering butterflies in Josh’s stomach.
Josh felt the connection too. His gaze often found its way back to Anna – the way she tilted her head back when she laughed or how her hazel eyes lit up at the sight of dolphins playing in the surf. He wanted to know more about this woman who had left her city life behind, even if just for a little while, for a taste of his island world.
However, he also noticed her moments of hesitation – the way she sometimes withdrew into herself or brushed off any mention of romance with a dismissive laugh. It was as if an invisible barrier shielded her heart, one he wasn’t sure how to carefully navigate around.
“Anna,” Josh began slowly, pausing by a scenic overlook that boasted panoramic views of the island and the blue ocean beyond. “I hope you’re enjoying your time here so far.”
Her smile was tinged with melancholy as she gazed out at the shimmering sea. “I am, Josh,” she said softly, tucking back another flyaway strand of windswept hair. “It’s beautiful here.”
He watched her for a moment, caught between wanting to know more about what had brought her here and respecting her privacy. “Fripp Island has a way of healing folks who visit,” he finally said, looking back out at the gently rolling ocean waves with her.
She turned to him then, something quietly flickering in her hazel eyes – curiosity? hope? Josh wasn’t entirely sure but it was enough for him to believe that perhaps Fripp Island’s magic could work on Anna too, in time.
Anna admired the tiny shells interwoven in the bracelet as Josh led her down the quaint sidewalks of downtown Fripp Island. She rubbed her thumb over the smooth surfaces, taking in the variety of patterns and colors. It was a touching gesture from the elderly shopkeeper, making Anna feel welcomed in this new place.
“The locals are so kind here,” she said. “Nothing like the indifference you get in New York.”
“People ’round here take care of each other,” Josh replied. “My mom loves Miss Lily’s little trinkets. Always picks up a new bauble or two for the mantle when she visits.”
They wandered down to the docks, Josh pointing out landmarks along the way. He told stories of childhood adventures at each one – climbing the old oak tree in the park, nearly capsizing his first skiff in the marina, kissing Suzy Barnes behind the ice cream shop when he was thirteen. Anna laughed freely, charmed by his nostalgia.
As they turned to walk along the beach, a pod of dolphins began swimming through the waves close to shore. Anna’s eyes widened at the sleek gray forms arcing in and out of the water.
“Look, look!” she cried, grabbing Josh’s hand instinctively.
They watched the dolphins play, both acutely aware of her palm pressed against his. She felt a spark shoot up her arm at the contact. Anna quickly withdrew her hand, cheeks flushing pink.
“Sorry, I just got excited. That was incredible.”
“No need to apologize,” Josh said with an easy grin. “I never get tired of seeing them. Just glad you got to experience it.”
Inwardly though, his heart beat faster from her touch. It had been fleeting, but stirred feelings he thought long buried.
That evening, Josh took Anna to a beachside bar known for live music and the best seafood gumbo on the island. The atmosphere was lively, with locals and tourists mingling over drinks on the outdoor patio. A three-piece band played bluesy melodies while couples swayed on a small dance floor in the sand.
Anna tapped her foot under the table as she ate, enchanted by the toe-tapping rhythms and comfortable ambience. The bar seemed to encapsulate all the island’s charms – salt-tinged air, laidback people, and sunset colors reflecting off the water.
When they finished eating, Josh nodded towards the impromptu dance space. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.
Anna smiled, surprised but pleased by the invitation. “I’d love to.”
Josh led her by the hand to join the other couples. He placed one palm lightly on her waist, hoping she couldn’t feel his slight tremors. She settled one hand on his shoulder, skin humming from his touch.
Swaying slowly, neither one spoke. The music and murmurs of the crowd faded away until all Anna noticed was Josh’s sea-glass eyes gazing into hers. Under the stars with gentle waves lapping in the distance, she felt drawn towards this man who seemed so open and kind.
The next afternoon, Josh took Anna to hike one of his favorite inland trails. Giant live oaks dripped with wispy Spanish moss overhead, while palmettos and pines flanked the pathway. As they climbed over a rise, a meadow opened up before them. Bright wildflowers swayed in the breeze.
Josh pointed to a clearing ringed by trees. “Let’s take a water break over there.”
They sat nestled in the grass, taking in the pastoral beauty. Josh took a long drink then turned to Anna. “Tell me more about your life in New York. What brought you all the way down here?”
She hesitated, wondering how much to reveal. Sensing her guardedness, Josh spoke first.
“I’ve lived on Fripp my whole life, so I can’t imagine the fast pace of the city. But I know the island has a way of helping people heal…at least it always has for me.”
His tone was earnest but not prying. Anna felt her walls coming down. She took a deep breath and shared about her recent breakup, the pain still so raw. Josh listened intently, holding space for her hurt.
When she finished, he said, “I’m so sorry. But I admire you having the courage to get away, take time for yourself.”
“It wasn’t exactly courageous, more like running away,” Anna replied. “But yes, I needed to reset. What about you though? Has island life made relationships challenging?”
Now it was Josh’s turn to open up. “I’ve always put work first, not making time to nurture a real partnership.” His eyes took on a wistful look. “My buddies are all married now, with kids even. I want that companionship more than ever. Just been hard to find.”
Anna felt strangely relieved hearing Josh’s disclosure, knowing she wasn’t alone in past heartbreak. She felt herself hoping this chance encounter on an island halfway across the country could maybe, possibly turn into more. But she dared not dream further as they continued chatting in the meadow, the future still unwritten between them.
Chapter 3
Sunset Sail
The soft purr of the charter boat’s engine hummed gently, a soothing backdrop to the scene unfolding on deck. As the sun began its languid descent towards the shimmering sea, it painted the cloudless sky with breathtaking hues of pink and orange. Josh leaned casually against the wheel, a relaxed grin spreading across his handsome, sun-kissed face. His bright blue eyes, the same striking color as the surrounding waters, watched Anna closely, taking in her every movement and expression.
“You know, there’s something special about the ocean that just sets you free,” he remarked wistfully, gesturing towards the expansive seascape before them. “Makes you feel like you can leave everything else behind. You ever feel that way out here?”
Anna gazed thoughtfully at the gently rolling waves, losing herself in their hypnotic rhythm. As a city girl born and raised, the ocean had always seemed vast and intimidating. But out here, with the salty breeze kissing her cheeks, she felt a sense of tranquility wash over her.
“I don’t know if I’d say it sets me completely free,” she replied slowly. “But it does have a calming effect, doesn’t it? Like the water can just wash everything else away.”
She glanced over at Josh then, meeting his earnest blue eyes. She realized in that moment that he was looking at her – really looking – in a way she wasn’t accustomed to. There was an openness and lack of pretense that caught her off guard.
“Yeah…yeah, I think it can definitely do that,” he agreed with a thoughtful nod. “Almost like a clean slate.”
He gave her a warm, dimpled grin then that made her heart skip a beat. As he moved to lower the sails for the return journey, Anna found herself admiring his athletic physique. His tanned muscles flexed smoothly under sun-kissed skin as he worked. Catching herself holding her breath, she exhaled slowly.
“Here, want to give this a try?” Josh beckoned her over to take the rope.
Anna blinked in surprise but readily joined him, admittedly thrilled at the opportunity. She felt a rush of excitement as the sail steadily rose under her direction.
“Hey, you’re a natural!” he encouraged with an approving smile.
She laughed openly, feeling more carefree in that moment than she had in months. A comfortable silence settled between them as they sailed further out into the open waters. The sunset had shifted the evening sky into a breathtaking canvas of purple and shimmering gold. Gazing at such stunning beauty, Anna felt her heart swell with emotion.
They stood side by side in perfect stillness until Josh spoke up softly.
“I think sunsets are kind of like goodbyes,” he mused, his eyes fixed on the darkening horizon. “They’re beautiful to watch, but they also mean something is ending.”
Anna studied his pensive profile, struck by the simple profundity of his observation. The fading amber light softened his features, faint dimples barely visible on his cheeks.
“Maybe,” she whispered. “But every ending also brings a new beginning, right?”
Josh turned to face her then, his expression thoughtful. “Yeah…yeah, I guess you’re right about that,” he conceded.
A charged moment passed between them – a subtle shift in the atmosphere that Anna could feel down to her core. An inexplicable magnetism pulled her toward Josh, every fiber of her being suddenly aching to reach out to him, to close the distance between them.
But at the last second, she faltered.
“Josh, I…I need you to know I’m just not ready…for this…for us…” she stammered, hating the way her voice trembled over the words.
His eyes softened with understanding. “It’s okay, Anna. I get it,” he assured her gently.
The charged moment dissolved as quickly as it had emerged. But later, as they sailed back under a sea of glittering stars, Anna couldn’t stop her mind from wandering. She wondered about paths not taken, potential left unexplored. If she could just let go of her fears, would she dive headfirst into the thrilling unknown waters of new romance? For now, only time would tell.
The next morning Josh and Anna motored out of the marina just as the morning sun peeked above the horizon. A light breeze rippled across the glassy water as they headed for a secluded cove Josh knew on the leeward side of the island. He cut the engine and dropped anchor in the sandy shallows fringed with swaying cordgrass.
“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” Anna laughed, pulling off her sundress to reveal a red bikini underneath. She leapt off the side of the boat and hit the water with an exuberant splash.
Josh grinned and followed suit, surfacing beside her with a grin. “I let you win that one.”
They swam lazily around each other, occasionally diving below the surface. Josh marveled at how all the tension of the past few days seemed to melt away from Anna here. She looked more carefree and radiant than he’d ever seen.
A splash of water hit Josh square in the face. He sputtered in surprise.
“Gotcha!” Anna giggled.
“Oh it’s on now,” Josh warned playfully. He sent a splash her way, igniting an all-out water fight. Their laughter echoed across the cove as they frolicked. Josh was struck by a pang of wistfulness – when was the last time he’d felt this lighthearted connection with someone? For a brief moment, it almost felt as if…
But no, he pushed the thought away. Anna would be leaving soon, likely never to return. This fleeting magic between them would slip back beneath the tides like a seashell lost to the sand.
When their energy finally spent itself, Josh swam over to the boat to grab towels. Anna hoisted herself back up and they spread out on the foredeck. The morning sun felt deliciously warm on their skin.
Josh broke out a picnic basket from below deck. “Hungry?” He offered Anna a juicy ripe peach.
She bit into it, savoring the sweet nectar. They sat shoulder to shoulder, gazing out at the lazy waves. A comfortable silence settled between them.
“You know,” Anna mused after a while, “I feel like I’ve told you so much about my past and life back in the city…but you’re still a bit of a mystery to me.”
Josh raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What do you want to know?”
“Hmm…what’s your family like? Any siblings?”
“Nope, only child,” he replied. “My dad was a shrimper, mom a nurse. They always dreamed I’d take over the family business but the sea called me in a different way.”
Josh gestured expansively, indicating his charter fishing boat.
“You must have loved growing up here,” Anna said wistfully.
“I did, though it could get a bit lonely out on the island sometimes. My best friends were the gulls and ghost crabs.”
Anna laughed. “Ghost crabs?”
“Yeah, those little sand crabs always scuttling around the dunes. I’d catch them and have races down by the shore. Named them too – there was Pinchy, Nipper, Lightning…”
Anna shook her head, amused. She stretched back, propping herself up on her hands. As she did, something small and prickly crawled across her foot.
“Ahh!” She yelped, sitting bolt upright.
There was a ghost crab inspecting her with its beady eyes. Josh chuckled.
“Found yourself a new friend I see.”
Anna made a face at him. “Very funny. That tickled!”
Josh grinned and scooped up the crab, tossing it gently back overboard.
“Anyway, enough about me,” he said. “Tell me more about what made you decide to become a book editor.”
As the morning drifted by, their conversation ebbed and flowed. Josh felt himself opening up and realized Anna was doing the same. It was almost…nice, he thought, to not be so guarded.
When the sun neared its apex, they motored leisurely through the winding tidal creeks. Rounding a bend, a pod of dolphins appeared, surfing the boat’s wake.
Anna’s face lit up. “This is amazing!” She leaned over the side, trailing her hand through the silvery water. The dolphins glided alongside, their sleek forms effortlessly graceful.
Enchanted, Anna stretched her fingers towards the nearest one. She overextended, losing her balance. With a cry she tumbled backwards, careening right into Josh.
He reacted on instinct, catching and steadying her in his arms. For a suspended moment they froze, faces inches apart. Josh saw his own surprise mirrored in Anna’s wide eyes. Her lips parted slightly…
A distant rumble of thunder broke the spell. Josh glanced up to see dark clouds now looming on the horizon.
“We should head back.” He quickly stepped away from Anna, swinging the boat around towards home.
The storm blew in fast, whipped up by swirling winds. Josh fought to steer through the building swells as sheets of rain pelted down.
Anna’s knuckles were white gripping the side. “Will we make it?” she shouted over the maelstrom.
“Hang tight, we’ll ride it out!” Josh called back firmly. Though anxious himself, he kept his voice steady and focused on navigating.
They managed to reach the marina just as the worst of the squall struck. Together they battened down the boat, stowing gear inside the cabin.
The hull rocked violently with each thunderous gust. Anna bit her lip, eyes clouded with doubt.
Josh put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry – I’ve weathered much worse in this old girl. We’ll make it through this, trust me.”
Anna searched his face and saw the calm certainty there. She nodded, some of the fear leaving her eyes. They sat together gazing out the rain-streaked window, waiting for the storm to pass.
Chapter 4
Low Country Boil
Sunlight faded from the Fripp Island sky, its golden rays replaced by a constellation of stars that flickered like distant lighthouses over the darkening waters. The gentle roar of the ocean provided a soothing soundtrack as Josh stoked the fire pit in his backyard, anticipation crackling in the air like the logs he tended. Around him, his friends laughed and chatted, sipping on cold beers and sweet tea while basking in the soft glow of the flames.
“Hey Anna,” Josh called out to the newcomer in their midst. Anna, a New York native and recent island visitor, looked up from her quiet conversation with one of Josh’s friends. “You have ever been to a Lowcountry boil before?”
She shook her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes like sea glass catching the sunlight. “No, can’t say I have. We don’t do much seafood boiling back in New York.”
Josh flashed her that dimpled grin that was quickly becoming familiar, a beacon of southern charm. “Well, you’re in for a treat then.”
A large pot simmered over the open fire, filled with corn, sausage, and shrimp freshly caught from the day’s charter fishing tour. The tantalizing aroma of Old Bay seasoning wafted through the evening air, causing stomachs to growl in eager anticipation like seagulls circling a fishing boat.
As they gathered around the wooden picnic table laden with newspaper and empty plates waiting to be filled, Josh started serving up heaping portions of the Lowcountry delicacy. The food was a vibrant symphony of flavors – the sweet corn contrasted beautifully with the spicy sausage and succulent shrimp as delicious as the seafood plucked straight from the ocean.
As Anna savored her first bite, she glanced at Josh across the table. His tan skin glowed under the twinkling fairy lights strung up around his backyard, giving him an ethereal aura in the darkness. And his eyes held an infectious enthusiasm bright as the fire before them.
“Tell me more about your sailing tours,” Anna said between mouthfuls of shrimp as tender and juicy as the man across from her seemed genuine. “You seem to have such a passion for it.”
Josh’s face lit up at her interest, like the sun emerging from behind a cloud. He loved talking about his work almost as much as he loved doing it.
“I’ve been sailing these waters since I was a kid,” he began, his voice resonating with the unmistakable pride of someone who had found their calling. “There’s nothing quite like the thrill of slicing through the waves at sunrise, the salty breeze in your face.”
He paused to take a swig of his beer, his gaze drifting toward the dark expanse of the ocean beyond his backyard, mysterious and beckoning. “But it’s not just about the sailing. It’s about showing people the beauty of this place. The untouched beaches, the hidden coves, the playful dolphins…”
His words painted vivid images in Anna’s mind. She could almost feel the ocean spray on her face and see the vibrant hues of a Lowcountry sunrise lighting up the sky like a masterpiece.
“I love seeing their reactions,” Josh continued, his eyes sparkling with excitement as bright as the stars above. “Especially those who’ve never been out on open water before. There’s something about that first experience that changes you.”
His enthusiasm was infectious, like a sea breeze that seeps into your bones. Anna found herself yearning for a taste of this oceanic adventure, to see Fripp Island through Josh’s eyes that reflected the depth and beauty of the waters he explored.
“You must meet all kinds of interesting people,” she mused aloud.
Josh nodded. “Oh yeah, every day is different. But that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.”
The evening stretched on as they ate and talked, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the crashing waves and crackling fire like a harmonious melody. Underneath the twinkling stars and amid mouthfuls of delicious food, Anna felt a warmth spread through her – a sense of belonging she hadn’t felt in a long time, like finding a hidden cove after days lost at sea.
She looked at Josh, who was now engrossed in a story about a particularly memorable charter trip, the passion in his voice magnetic. And she realized that it wasn’t just the island or the food or even the company that was making her feel this way. It was him – his passion for his work, his love for his home, and most importantly, his openness to share it all with her like guiding a drifting boat to safe harbor.
As they cleared away the remnants of the feast and the fire died down to glowing embers, Anna knew she had found something special on this island. It wasn’t just an escape from her city life or a reprieve from her loneliness.
It was a connection, an unexpected spark with a man who lived his life as freely as the ocean he sailed on. And as the night deepened, she couldn’t help but wonder what the tides of change would bring for them next, as unpredictable and exciting as the sea itself.
Anna watched intently as Josh demonstrated how to peel and devour a shrimp. “Ya just grab the legs like this, give a little twist, and the shell comes right off,” he explained with an easy smile, his tanned fingers working quickly. Josh pulled the shell away, revealing the plump pink shrimp inside. He held it up between them.
“Your turn.” Anna picked up a shrimp, mimicking his movements. She fumbled at first, almost dropping the slippery shrimp before managing to twist off the shell. Their hands inadvertently brushed during her efforts, causing Anna to look up. Their eyes met and she felt an unexpected spark, seeing the warmth in Josh’s bright blue gaze. She wasn’t sure if he had felt anything or if it was just her own longing for connection.
Josh also wondered if Anna had experienced the same rush of electricity when their hands touched. He studied her face as she bit into the shrimp, savoring the sweet flavor. A smile turned up the corners of her mouth, putting the cute gap between her front teeth on display. She caught him staring and they both quickly looked away, focusing again on the peeled shrimp.
The next morning out on the boat, the winds started kicking up as dark clouds rolled across the horizon. Josh scanned the water and sky with an experienced eye. “Looks like we got a storm blowing in. We best head back to the marina.”
As they turned around, the winds picked up speed, whipping Anna’s long hair. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the skies opened up. Fat raindrops pelted the boat deck before quickly turning into a downpour. The sea swelled and rocked the boat violently. Anna’s heart raced but Josh calmly adjusted their course and cranked up the engine power. She watched in admiration as he skillfully navigated through the building storm, bringing them safely back to the docks.
“Come on back to my place to dry off,” Josh suggested, as they stood soaked on the pier. Anna wrung out her sundress and nodded, teeth chattering.
At his small house, Josh stoked up a fire to warm them after the chill of the storm. They sipped mugs of coffee as flames crackled in the cozy living room. Their conversation flowed easily, touching on past relationships and dreams for the future.
Josh admitted he had walls up after being burned before. Anna confessed her recent breakup still stung, making it hard to imagine finding someone new. But looking at each other in the firelight, their hearts stirred at the possibility sitting before them.
A few days later, Josh wanted to share a special place with Anna. He drove them out to a secluded shoreline, leading her by hand down rocks to a hidden sea cave. Waves rushed in and out of the cavernous opening as they sat together on the wet sand, shoulders touching.
Anna turned to him, tucking a windblown strand of hair behind her ear. She was captivated by the way the sun lit up his handsome, weathered face. Summoning his courage, Josh finally spoke what he had been feeling since the first moment they met.
“Anna, I’ve never met someone who makes me feel the way you do. I know we’re from different worlds but I’m falling for you.”
Her eyes misted over at his heartfelt words. “I feel the same way, Josh. Being here with you just feels right.”
Overwhelmed by emotion, Josh drew Anna’s face towards his and kissed her deeply. She melted against him, the kiss saying everything their hearts longed to express. They held each other close as the sea swirled around them, this hidden coastal cave holding the secrets of their blossoming love.
No matter what came next, they knew they had to give this unexpected relationship a chance. The tides of change had swept them together for a reason, and neither could deny the powerful draw they now felt towards one another.
Chapter 5
EX Issues
The soft sand crunched under familiar footfalls. Anna turned around to find Jason standing there, his face a mix of guilt and hope. She froze in place, her heart hammering in her chest.
“Anna,” Jason said, “I’ve been a fool.”
His voice stirred up old memories, like dust motes caught in sunlight. She remembered the same voice whispering sweet nothings, promising forever. She also remembered the bitter fights, the lonely nights.
Josh appeared beside her then, a bucket of freshly caught fish in his hands. His eyes flickered from Anna to Jason and then back again. A knowing look crossed his face as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I…I think so,” she stammered out.
Jason looked at Josh then back at Anna, realization dawning on his face. He seemed taken aback but quickly masked it with a polite smile.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said with a glance at Josh. “I just…I needed to see you, Anna.”
Anna stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking up.
“Okay,” she said, more to herself than to Jason or Josh. “Okay.”
The rest of the day was a blur for Anna. She found herself torn between the familiar comfort of Jason’s presence and the exciting promise of something new with Josh.
That night as she sat on the porch of her sea side house, she could see Josh’s silhouette against the moonlit sea, casting his fishing net. A part of her longed to join him, to lose herself in the rhythmic swish of the net and the lullaby of the waves.
But Jason’s arrival had stirred up old feelings. Feelings she thought she had buried deep down. She found herself replaying their relationship, their fights, their makeups. She remembered the good times and bad, the joy and pain.
“Can’t sleep?” Jason’s voice broke through her thoughts.
She looked up to find him standing at the foot of the porch steps, his hands buried in his pockets.
“No,” she said quietly.
Jason climbed up the steps and sat down next to her. His closeness brought back a rush of memories – lazy Sunday mornings in bed, walks in Central Park, stolen kisses under city lights.
“I’ve missed you,” he said softly. “I’ve been a mess without you.”
His words echoed in her head as she watched Josh in the distance. His silhouette was now barely visible, just a faint outline against the vast expanse of sea and sky.
She turned to look at Jason, his face bathed in moonlight. His eyes were sincere, filled with regret. But there was also a sense of desperation in them that made her uneasy.
“I…I need time,” she said finally.
Jason nodded, disappointment flickering across his face. But he didn’t push her further.
“All right,” he said quietly. “Take all the time you need.”
He stood up then and walked away, leaving Anna alone with her thoughts once again.
As she watched Jason’s retreating figure, Anna felt a strange mix of relief and confusion. Her past had caught up with her when she least expected it. And now she was left to sort through the jumble of emotions it had brought along – regret, longing, uncertainty.
But as she looked out at the sea, at Josh’s faint silhouette against the night sky, she felt a glimmer of hope. She had come to Fripp Island to heal, to find herself again. And she wasn’t going to let her past derail her journey.
For now, she would take things one day at a time. She would sort through her feelings for Jason and figure out what she wanted. And maybe, just maybe, she would allow herself to explore the growing connection with Josh.
The night was quiet around her as Anna made a silent promise to herself. She would not rush into anything. She would give herself the time and space to heal, to decide what she truly wanted. And when she was ready, she would make her choice. But for now, all she had was time.
Chapter 6
Jealousy Stirring
Josh, sun-kissed and all smiles, stood at the helm of his boat, eyes fixed on the shimmering horizon. The scent of the sea mixed with the lingering aroma of that morning’s fresh catch. The salt and the surf, it was his life’s blood. But that day, something else consumed his thoughts.
The day before, he had seen Anna with a tall, clean-cut man. He had been leaning against a rental car in the marina parking lot, sharp in his city clothes, out of place amidst the salt-worn boats and weathered fishermen. Anna had looked different too, her usual bright-eyed curiosity replaced with tension as she met the stranger’s gaze.
The sight of them together had planted a seed of unease in Josh’s gut. A flicker of jealousy sparked within him – a sensation he hadn’t felt in years.
“Nice day for a sail,” he muttered to himself, turning the boat out into open water.
He couldn’t shake off the image of Anna and that man. Their conversation had seemed intense from afar. Had they been arguing? And who was he to her?
As he navigated through familiar channels, Josh’s mind strayed back to the evenings he’d spent with Anna. The laughter they shared over sunsets and sea tales, her eyes lighting up as he showed her his favorite hidden spots on the island.
Their connection had been undeniable, growing with each passing day. But now… now he wasn’t so sure.
Maybe it was easier to pull away. To go back to his solitary life – just him and the sea.
Anna strolled down the sandy path towards Josh’s boat rental dock, anticipation quickening her pulse. She looked forward to their time together – his stories, his laughter – but today there was a chill in the air that wasn’t from the ocean breeze.
“Hey,” she greeted him as she stepped onto the dock. His back was turned to her, and he seemed engrossed in some nautical task.
“Anna,” he said, turning around. His dimpled smile was there, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
She bit her lip, feeling a knot of apprehension. “Are you okay, Josh?”
He shrugged nonchalantly, a slight furrow in his brow. “Just a bit tired from the early morning fishing run.”
Anna nodded, not quite convinced but deciding to let it slide. She knew he had been watching her yesterday when Jason had shown up unannounced. But she wasn’t ready to talk about that yet.
They set off for the day’s sailing trip in silence. The usual banter was replaced with the hum of the boat engine and the distant cries of seagulls.
As the island shrunk behind them, Anna looked at Josh. His strong hands on the wheel, eyes focused on the horizon, jaw set in a hard line. He seemed miles away from her even though they were in the same boat.
She felt a pang of loss. This was not how she wanted things to be.
“I…” she began, unsure of what to say.
Josh glanced at her, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he quickly masked it with his captain’s stoicism.
Anna sighed and looked out at the endless sea. The tides were changing and she wasn’t sure if they would ever bring back the connection she and Josh had started to build.
As they sailed further into silence, both of them lost in their thoughts, they didn’t notice the dark clouds gathering on the horizon – an unspoken storm mirroring their inner turmoil.
Anna stood at the railing, gazing out at the darkening sky. The first raindrops began to fall, dimpling the gray sea. She shivered as the wind picked up. “We should head back,” Josh called over the growing din of the storm. His eyes were fixed ahead, jaw clenched against the gusts. Anna nodded, a hard lump in her throat.
She felt adrift, unsure how to bridge the distance between them. If she even could at this point. The skies opened up then, unleashing a downpour that soaked them through. Josh gunned the engine, racing back toward the island. Anna blinked against the rain streaming down her face. It mingled with silent tears she could no longer hold back.
So much for her island escape – the real world had caught up after all. They reached the dock and Josh cut the engine. For a moment they just sat there, the rain drumming steadily on the boat roof.
Josh broke the silence first. “Hey, you okay?”
Anna shook her head, not trusting her voice. She kept her eyes down, watching raindrops patter into the dark water below.
Josh hesitated. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s fine,” Anna said dully.
“No, it’s not.” Josh slid from his seat and crouched down in front of her. “I was a jerk back there. You were just trying to help.”
Anna finally met his earnest gaze. “I overstepped. You’re the captain, I should’ve just let you handle it.”
“Maybe,” Josh conceded. “But I was too stubborn to listen. And I took my frustration out on you, which wasn’t fair.”
He gave her a lopsided smile. “How about we call a truce?”
Despite herself, Anna felt the corners of her mouth curve up. “Truce,” she agreed softly.
Josh’s smile widened. He stood and held out a hand. “Come on. Let’s get inside before this storm worsens.”
Anna let him pull her up. They scurried down the dock, shoes splashing through deep puddles.
Inside his weathered cottage, Josh grabbed some towels and they worked to dry off.
“Here, you can borrow these.” He offered her a faded Carolina Panthers shirt and sweatpants. “The bathroom’s through there when you want to change.”
Anna nodded her thanks and went to go peel off her wet clothes. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror – bedraggled hair, makeup smeared from the rain and tears.
With a sigh, she scrubbed her face clean. As she pulled on Josh’s oversized shirt though, Anna felt some of the tension leave her body. There was something comforting about wearing his clothes. Like being wrapped in a warm, sturdy embrace.
When she came back out, Josh had changed too and was rummaging through the fridge.
“I don’t have much on hand,” he said apologetically. “Some cheese, deli meat…”
“That sounds perfect,” Anna said.
Josh glanced over with a smile. “Comfort food it is.”
They assembled sandwiches and carried their plates to the living room. Josh added logs to the fireplace, coaxing a cheery blaze to life.
They ate without speaking, the occasional crackle from the fire the only sound. But the silence between them was no longer strained. Anna felt the knot in her chest loosening.
After, Josh showed her his collection of vintage nautical maps. He told stories about how his grandfather had salvaged them from old shipwrecks off the coast.
“He was the one who taught me to sail,” Josh explained, tracing a finger along the faded charts. “We spent whole summers together on the water when I was a kid.”
Anna studied the maps, charmed by their sepia tones and crinkled edges. “It must’ve been an amazing childhood.”
“It really was.” Josh’s voice held a touch of wistfulness.
On impulse, Anna reached for his hand. Josh looked over in surprise but didn’t pull away.
“I’m glad you’re sharing these with me,” Anna said softly.
Josh squeezed her hand, his eyes never leaving hers. “Me too.”
The air between them suddenly felt charged. Anna became aware of how close they were sitting, knees brushing. She could see the golden flecks in Josh’s hazel eyes, the faint scar under his stubbled jaw.
Josh hesitated, then lifted his other hand to her cheek. Anna’s breath caught but she leaned into his touch.
When his lips met hers, the kiss was feather-light at first. Anna savored the tender pressure, her skin tingling.
As they melted into each other, the kiss deepened. Anna curled her arms around Josh’s neck, fingers trailing through his damp curls.
His hands roamed her back, tracing her shoulder blades before trailing lower to grip her hips. Anna sighed into his mouth, every nerve alive.
They finally broke apart, breathing ragged. Josh rested his forehead against hers, noses touching.
“Anna…” he murmured, hands coming up to frame her face once more.
She silenced him with another soft kiss. “I know,” she whispered back. No more words were needed.
The rain continued falling outside, but neither noticed anymore. Curled together on the worn leather couch, they traded languid kisses as the fire gradually dimmed.
When Anna finally drifted off, it was with her head nestled in the crook of Josh’s shoulder. His arms were wrapped securely around her, holding her close even in sleep.
Chapter 7
Confronting The Past
Searing sunlight poured through the window of the corner cafe, casting long, lean shadows on the small wooden table where Anna sat, a cup of untouched coffee growing cold in front of her. She squirmed in her seat, her gaze fixated on the busy New York street outside. Her heart pounded against her chest as if it was ready to leap out and join the city’s chaotic rhythm.
The bell above the cafe door jingled. Anna’s heart hitched as Jason walked in. He looked much the same as he always had: handsome, distant, unapologetically indifferent.
“Anna,” he greeted, his voice carrying an icy chill that made Anna shiver despite the warmth of the afternoon sun.
“Jason,” she replied, forcing a smile onto her face. She gestured to the empty chair across from her. “Have a seat.”
He did, folding his long body into the chair with an ease that made Anna’s stomach churn. She cleared her throat and focused on him, ignoring the knot tightening in her gut.
“I thought we should talk,” she began, watching as he picked up his coffee and took a sip. He nodded but said nothing.
“You never were one for conversation,” she said with a laugh that sounded too hollow even to her own ears.
He shrugged nonchalantly. “What is there to say?”
“A lot,” she shot back, annoyance seeping into her voice. “Two years isn’t nothing, Jason.”
He sighed and set his cup down. “You’re right,” he admitted. His gaze met hers, but it was devoid of any warmth or emotion. “But what do you want me to say? That I’m sorry? Because I’m not.”
Her heart clenched at his words but she kept her face impassive. “No,” she said calmly. “I don’t want your apologies.”
He frowned at her, looking genuinely confused. “Then what do you want?”
“Closure,” she said simply. “I want to know why you were so emotionally unavailable. I want to understand what happened between us.”
Jason leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “I wasn’t ready for a relationship,” he finally said. “I thought I was, but I wasn’t.”
“And you couldn’t tell me this before?” Anna asked, anger flashing in her eyes.
He shrugged again, the motion making her want to scream. “I didn’t know how to say it.”
“Well, you just did,” she retorted, the words bitter on her tongue.
They sat in silence for a while, the noise of the city outside filling the gap between them. Anna felt a strange sense of calm settle over her. It was over. It was really over.
“Are we good?” Jason finally asked, breaking the silence.
Anna nodded. “We’re good,” she confirmed, although she knew they would never really be ‘good’. But it was enough for now.
She watched as Jason got up and left the cafe, disappearing into the crowd outside. A weight lifted off her shoulders, a weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying all this time.
She sat there for a while longer, staring at her cold coffee and thinking about the conversation they’d just had. It was far from perfect, but it had given her something she hadn’t had in a long time: closure.
She left the cafe with a newfound determination. She was ready to move on, ready to embrace change and let go of the past that had held her captive for so long.
Anna smiled as she stepped out into the busy New York street, the afternoon sun warming her face. For the first time in a long time, she felt truly free.
Anna stepped outside into the spring air, taking a deep breath. For the first time in months, her lungs felt clear instead of restricted. She stood taller, walked faster, a new lightness in her stride. The conversation with Jason had lifted an invisible weight off her shoulders that she hadn’t even realized she was carrying.
Wandering through Central Park, Anna watched happy couples stroll by. She felt sad remembering her last walk here with Jason, when things had already started feeling off between them. But the hurt was less sharp now. Time and distance had begun healing wounds she didn’t know could mend.
Stopping at a flower stand, Anna bought herself a small bouquet of daisies. Their bright petals made her smile. She realized she hadn’t bought herself flowers in years – Jason had always disliked cut flowers. Well, now she could fill her apartment with as many daisies as she wanted.
As the setting sun dipped behind the Manhattan skyline, Anna paused on a bridge overlooking the river. The waking city glittered around her. She knew with sudden clarity that she was ready for whatever may lay ahead.
She looked towards her future now – Fripp Island – where salty air and waves would wash away traces of her past, and where, hopefully, she would find the peace and love she craved. The past was just that – past. And the future? It was waiting for her with open arms.
Chapter 8
Making Amends
Anna sat alone on the sandy shore, her heart heavy as she stared out at the glistening sea. The fiery orange sunset cast a glow over her, illuminating her turmoil. The day had ended on a sour note. Her revelations about Jason had driven a wedge between her and Josh.
She rose from the sand, dusting off her shorts, and decided it was time to set things right. A brisk walk led her to the marina where Josh’s boat was moored. She found him on deck, hunched over a net, his sun-kissed arms straining against the effort. He didn’t look up as she approached.
“Josh,” Anna began, her voice soft as a sea breeze.
Josh paused, his hands stilling on the coarse netting. He turned slowly to face her, his blue eyes reflecting the fading light.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” Anna continued, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
A small smile played on Josh’s lips as he nodded and motioned for her to sit next to him. He tossed the net aside and leaned back against the railing, turning his gaze towards the setting sun.
“I figured you’d come around,” he said in a quiet voice, “You always do.”
Anna couldn’t help but laugh softly at that. Despite their differences and the brief time they’d known each other, Josh seemed to understand her better than anyone else had in a long time.
“I didn’t mean to unload my baggage on you,” she confessed, “Especially about Jason.”
Josh remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh. His dimpled grin appeared as he looked at Anna.
“You don’t have to apologize for having a past, Anna,” he told her, “We all do.”
“But it’s not fair to you,” Anna argued gently.
Josh’s smile faded slightly as he met her gaze. His hand reached out, lightly brushing her knuckles.
“Jealousy is a strange beast,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, “It creeps up on you when you least expect it.”
Anna felt her heart flutter at his confession. His honesty was as refreshing as the cool sea breeze that drifted between them.
“But we can’t let it get in the way,” Josh added quickly, pulling his hand away and looking out towards the horizon.
Anna followed his gaze, watching as the last rays of sunlight disappeared beneath the water. A quiet calmness settled over them, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the boat.
“We should keep seeing each other,” she suggested after a while, her voice firm with determination.
Josh turned to look at her, surprise evident in his eyes. But it quickly faded, replaced by a warm smile that made Anna’s heart skip a beat.
“I’d like that,” he agreed, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand.
Their shared silence was comfortable now. The weight of their pasts seemed to lift as they sat side by side under the twinkling stars. It was an unspoken agreement – they would not let their histories define their future.
And so they remained on the deck of Josh’s boat, two souls bound by shared hopes and dreams. Their lives had been shaped by different tides, but there on Fripp Island, they found common ground – a chance to heal, to grow, and to love again. Their hearts hummed with possibility as they watched the moon rise over the water – a beacon of hope in the darkness.
With each passing moment, Anna found herself falling deeper into the island’s enchanting rhythm – and into Josh’s magnetic charm. It was a dance she never wanted to end. For once, she didn’t feel alone in her heartache. There was comfort in knowing that Josh understood her struggles and accepted them without judgment.
As the night wore on, they spoke of lighter things – the sea, the island, their shared love for its simple pleasures. Anna found herself laughing more freely, her worries momentarily forgotten.
In Josh’s company, she found solace. She found a kindred spirit. She found a glimpse of the life she had always dreamed of but never thought possible. And perhaps most importantly, she found a reason to hope again.
As for Josh, he too felt a shift. The loneliness that had been his constant companion seemed less daunting with Anna by his side. He found joy in her laughter, solace in her presence, and an inexplicable sense of belonging that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Together, they made a pact – to leave their pasts where they belonged and embrace the promise of a new dawn. It was a step towards healing, towards love, and towards a future they both desperately wanted. It was an agreement to navigate the tides of change together – no matter where they led.
Chapter 9
In Too Deep
Underneath a sprawling southern live oak, the afternoon light filtered through the Spanish moss, casting dappled shadows on Anna’s sun-kissed face. A paperback lay forgotten in her lap, the lure of its pages no match for the vibrant Lowcountry scene before her. Out on the sparkling Atlantic, Josh’s charter boat bobbed in the distance, a small speck against the endless blue.
From her perch on the sand, Anna watched as Josh’s boat gradually grew larger. A warm thrill coursed through her veins, a sensation she hadn’t felt in years. But with it came a nagging twinge of anxiety. The city girl in her chided herself for letting loose, for getting swept up in this sea-soaked fantasy.
On his part, Josh reeled in his fishing line and secured his boat with practiced ease. The sight of Anna waiting for him on shore stirred a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite place. His island life had never felt lacking until Anna had breezed into it with her quick wit and urban sophistication.
Their friendship had quickly deepened over shared sunsets and saltwater adventures. Now as their laughter echoed over deserted beaches and moonlit boat rides, Josh couldn’t help but wonder how long it would last.
“Caught anything today?” Anna called out as Josh stepped off his boat onto the soft sand.
“Just some sea trout,” he replied with a casual shrug. But his eyes were locked onto hers, betraying an intensity that made Anna’s heart skip a beat.
Anna glanced down at the basket of fish with an appreciative nod before turning back to Josh. “You know, I’ve never tried cooking fish before,” she admitted sheepishly.
Josh laughed heartily at that, the sound rich and full like waves breaking against shore. “Well then,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye. “How about we change that?”
Under Josh’s patient guidance, Anna learned to clean and cook the fish. The smell of fresh seafood and herbs filled the small kitchen of Josh’s cottage, a delicious testament to their shared efforts.
With every passing moment, Anna found herself falling deeper into this world that was so different from her own. Yet, as she watched Josh laugh at her clumsy attempts to flip the fish, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. This island idyll had an expiration date, and it was approaching faster than she cared to admit.
“Something on your mind?” Josh asked, his laughter subsiding as he caught sight of Anna’s pensive expression.
Anna hesitated, then let out a soft sigh. “I just… I’m having a great time here with you, Josh,” she admitted. “But I can’t shake off this feeling that I’m just… just delaying the inevitable.”
Josh fell silent for a moment before he spoke again. “You mean going back to New York?”
Anna nodded silently. She could feel Josh’s gaze on her, heavy and searching. “I’m not ready,” she confessed quietly. “Not ready to leave this place… or you.”
The confession hung in the air between them, potent and bittersweet. Josh reached across the counter and took Anna’s hand in his own calloused one.
“I know what you mean,” he said softly. His thumb traced circles over her knuckles, a soothing rhythm that mirrored the gentle ebb and flow of the nearby ocean.
“But let’s not worry about what we can’t control,” he continued with a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s just enjoy what we have now.”
In the soft glow of the setting sun, they shared their meal in companionable silence. Both were acutely aware of the ticking clock that loomed over their heads. But for now, they chose to lose themselves in each other, to relish the simple pleasure of shared moments and laughter, even if it was fleeting.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of gold and crimson, Anna and Josh found themselves on the beach once again. Hand in hand, they walked along the shoreline, their footprints washed away by the encroaching tide.
Neither of them spoke about what lay ahead. Instead, they chose to bask in the tranquility of the present, to soak in the magic of Fripp Island that had brought them together. Their bond had deepened over the course of Anna’s stay, and now as her departure loomed closer, they both found themselves wrestling with fears of what might happen when she had to leave.
But for now, they were content to let those fears lie dormant. The future would arrive soon enough. But until then, they had each other and the rhythmic lullaby of the sea to keep them company.
Anna gazed out at the sea, its surface shimmering in the soft pink and orange hues of the setting sun. The steady rhythm of the waves washing against the shore soothed her soul. She took a slow sip of her wine, feeling the bittersweet taste roll over her tongue.
“This time of day has always been my favorite,” she said. “When I was little, my parents would take my brother and me to the Jersey Shore for a week every summer. We’d spend all day playing in the surf and building sandcastles. After dinner, we’d walk along the beach and watch the sunset. It was the only time our family felt truly peaceful.”
She paused, memories of a happier childhood flooding back. “I remember this one evening, the sky was awash in dazzling red and gold. My tiny feet sank into the wet sand as the foamy water rushed over my toes. I must’ve been seven or eight. When I asked my dad if we could come back the next night to see the sunset again, he scooped me up in his arms and promised we would, year after year.”
Anna blinked back unexpected tears. “A few months later, he left us. After the divorce, our beach trips stopped. My mom said it was too hard for her being in a place that held so many memories of him. I was heartbroken.”
She took a shaky breath. “I know it sounds silly, but at that age I really believed my dad’s promise. The beach felt like the one constant thing I could count on, even as everything else in my life crumbled. Once it was gone, that innocence disappeared too. I realized nothing lasts forever.”
Josh listened intently, sensing her raw vulnerability in sharing this childhood memory. He felt an instinct to reach for her hand, but hesitated, unsure if the gesture would be too familiar.
“I get that feeling,” he said gently. “When I was twelve, a massive hurricane hit the island. I woke up to howling wind and rain pounding the windows like bullets. My dad dragged our mattresses into the living room away from the trees outside. We spent all night listening to debris slamming into the house, wondering if our roof would stay put.”
Josh’s expression clouded at the memory. “The next morning, we went outside to see entire trees ripped from the ground and boats flung into the marsh grass like toys. It looked like an atomic bomb had gone off. I felt so small standing there surveying the damage, like the place I loved and thought was rock-solid had been shattered in the span of a night.”
He let out a long exhale, as if releasing the lingering tension from that experience. “I realized nature was a lot more powerful than I ever knew. And it made me grasp how much this island really meant to me. It was the first time I understood that sense of love for your home.”
Anna studied his face, taking in the faint worry lines that creased his tanned skin as he recalled that morning after the storm. She felt strangely comforted knowing that even carefree Josh had feared losing something he treasured. In that moment, she didn’t feel quite as alone in her own sense of life’s impermanence.
“I never thought of it like that before, but it’s so similar,” she said. “How the places we love shape our lives. When they remain, they give us roots and continuity, but their absence leaves a void.”
Josh nodded, meeting her eyes. “I think so. Having solid ground under you matters more than people realize, until it shakes or disappears.”
They sat without speaking for a minute, sharing the weight of remembered loss. A comfortable silence enveloped them, broken only by the murmuring ocean.
Finally Josh leaned back in his chair, a hint of his easy smile returning. “But the great thing is, life surprises you. Storms pass. Wounds heal. New people and places enter the picture when you least expect them.”
He gave her a look both gentle and intent. “The tides always change. Even if we lose something, the waves eventually deliver unexpected gifts onto the shore.”
Anna held his gaze, feeling herself anchored in the present once more. As the fading light danced across his handsome face, she felt a flutter of possibility take wing within her heart.
Chapter 10
Meeting The Parents
Josh’s home, a weather-beaten wooden house, perched on stilts above the marsh, held a charming, rustic appeal. Wind chimes tinkled softly in the salt-kissed breeze as they approached. Anna took a deep breath, tasting the tang of the sea in the air. Her heart pounded like a ship against a stormy sea, her thoughts caught between excitement and trepidation.
“Ready?” Josh asked, a grin teasing at the corners of his mouth.
She met his gaze and nodded, trying to ignore the tremors of anxiety playing her nerves like a harp. They crossed the threshold together, their hands interlocked as if woven by some unseen craftsman of fate.
The living room was awash with sunlight, the worn floorboards warmed beneath her feet. The walls adorned with an array of fishing gear and old photographs, each frame capturing generations of sea-hardened smiles.
A woman turned from the kitchen counter as they entered, her hands dusted with flour. “Joshua!” she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling as she pulled him into an embrace. The years had weathered her but failed to steal her vibrant spirit.
“Momma,” Josh grinned back, wrapping his arms around her before gesturing towards Anna. “This is Anna.”
His mother turned to Anna with warmth spilling from her eyes. “Oh honey,” she gushed, enveloping Anna in an embrace that smelled of saltwater and baking bread.
Over dinner – fresh seafood stew and cornbread that melted on your tongue – Josh’s family welcomed Anna with open arms and hearty laughter. His father regaled her with tales of his younger days as a shrimp boat captain; his sister shared stories about growing up on the island. Through their words and gestures, Anna felt accepted, like she was more than just a visitor to their home.
She caught Josh’s eye across the table; he winked at her, his dimpled grin causing her heart to flutter.
Yet, as the night wore on, a bitter-sweet realization crept over Anna. This was their world, a world so vastly different from the steel and glass towers of New York City. A pang of sadness struck her; she had started to feel at home on this island, in this family, with Josh. But the ticking clock of her vacation was a constant reminder that she was just a passerby in their lives.
“Anna,” Josh’s voice cut through her thoughts as he leaned towards her, “You okay?”
She smiled back at him, pushing away the melancholy. “Yes, I’m great.”
As the evening waned and the stars began their nightly vigil over Fripp Island, Anna found herself walking hand in hand with Josh along the shoreline. The gentle waves kissed their feet, the salty air wrapping them in a tranquil embrace.
“You know,” he began, his voice soft against the rhythm of the ocean, “I’ve never brought anyone home before.”
Anna looked at him, surprised. “Never?”
He shook his head. “No one felt right… until you.”
The admission stirred something deep within her; an affirmation that this was more than just a summer fling. But it also made the countdown to her departure even more poignant.
“I…” She began but faltered. She wanted to say something profound, something meaningful but words escaped her. Instead, she turned to him and kissed him under the silver-glow of the moon.
As they pulled apart, Josh cupped her face in his hands and said earnestly, “I don’t know what happens next Anna… But I want there to be a next.”
His words echoed her own desires – a longing for something more permanent than fleeting summer days on an island paradise.
“Me too,” she whispered back.
Chapter 11
Breaking Down
As the orange and pink hues of the setting sun reflected off the water, Anna stared at the sea. She clutched her book, its pages no longer captivating as they had been a moment ago. The sea, once a soothing presence, now only reminded her of the ticking clock – the inevitable end of her vacation on Fripp Island.
Josh stood next to her, his brow furrowed. He was no longer the easygoing islander who’d captured her heart with his honesty and charm. Tension hung between them like a fog that had rolled in from the sea.
“Your flight leaves tomorrow morning, doesn’t it?” Josh’s voice was as heavy as the air around them.
Anna nodded. “Yes.”
“And then what?” He turned to face her, his blue eyes searching hers for an answer she didn’t have.
“I don’t know, Josh.” She shrugged, looking away from him and back to the sea. “I return to my life in New York. You stay here.”
“And that’s it?” Josh’s voice cracked. “We just… go back to our lives?”
Anna felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She looked at him again, his expression pained. The sea breeze tousled his hair and she fought the urge to reach out and smooth it down.
“What else is there, Josh?” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to maintain eye contact.
“We could… try long distance,” he suggested, his tone hopeful.
Anna shook her head. “Long distance doesn’t work. I’ve tried it before.”
“That was with Jason.” His name hung in the air between them like a curse.
“This isn’t about Jason!” Anna snapped, a sudden anger flaring within her. She turned away from him again, clutching her book tighter.
Josh was silent for a moment before he finally spoke again. “I just… I thought we had something special.”
“We do.” Anna’s voice was softer now. “But I can’t stay here forever, Josh. And you can’t leave the island.”
“Why not?” He challenged, stepping closer to her. “Why can’t I leave?”
“Because this is your home, Josh!” Anna’s voice rose again. “This is where you belong!”
“And what about you, Anna?” Josh’s voice matched hers in volume. “Where do you belong?”
Anna’s heart pounded in her chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she turned back to the sea, its endless expanse suddenly overwhelming.
“I… I don’t know.” Her voice was barely a whisper now.
The silence that followed was deafening. The only sounds were the waves crashing against the shore and the occasional cry of a seagull overhead.
Anna finally broke the silence. “I need to pack.” Her voice was devoid of emotion as she turned and walked away from Josh, leaving him standing alone on the beach.
As she reached the beach house, she glanced back one last time. Josh was still standing there, his figure silhouetted against the setting sun. A pang of regret hit her, but she pushed it away as she stepped inside.
Her suitcase lay open on the bed, still empty. As she began to pack, her hands moved mechanically, folding and placing each item in without really seeing them.
With each piece of clothing she packed away, Anna felt a piece of her heart being packed away too. The laughter they had shared on this very bed, the whispers of sweet nothings in the middle of the night – it all seemed like a dream now.
Her fingers brushed against a seashell – a souvenir from their first date on the beach. She picked it up and held it close to her ear, closing her eyes as if trying to hear the sound of those happier times.
A single tear trickled down her cheek and landed on the shell. She quickly wiped it away and placed the shell in her suitcase. It was a reminder of the island, of Josh, and of a love that was as fleeting as her vacation.
Anna sighed as she folded her last few dresses and placed them in her open suitcase atop the queen bed. She had arrived on Fripp Island nearly two months ago, seeking respite from her stressful New York life and the heartache of her recent breakup. The quaint southern charm of the island had worked its magic, soothing her soul and reminding Anna of simpler joys. She strolled barefoot on moonlit beaches, immersed herself in reading while curled up on the cottage porch, and explored the island’s hidden tidal creeks and wooded trails on her rented bike.
Most of all, Anna had found unexpected connection with Josh, the handsome fishing boat captain who radiated easygoing warmth. He had shown her around the island and they shared lingering dinners featuring the freshest local catch. Their conversations flowed effortlessly and soon a spark grew into an undeniable attraction. Josh made Anna feel truly seen, appreciated, and more herself than she had in years.
A loud commotion outside jolted Anna from her reminiscing. She crossed to the window and drew back the gauzy curtains. A grin spread across her face as she spied Josh standing below her rental cottage, one arm thrust skyward holding a boombox blasting their favorite song.
Anna unlatched the window and leaned out, calling to him over the music. “What are you doing down there, goofball?”
Josh looked up with a lopsided smile. “I wanted to see you one more time before your flight tomorrow. Thought I’d send you off island style!”
Anna laughed, her heart swelling, then paused. She knew returning to New York was the practical choice – her job and whole life waited back home. But gazing at Josh, she felt a pang, suddenly uncertain if she was ready to leave this newfound happiness behind.
Anna called down, “Hang on, I’ll come down in a sec!”
She grabbed a light cardigan and slipped on her flip flops, then headed downstairs and out the front door onto the crushed shell path leading to the street. The salty breeze lifted her hair as she approached Josh, who set down the boombox, the music fading.
“Pretty epic goodbye, right?” He wrapped Anna in an enveloping hug. She breathed him in, memorizing how it felt to be encircled in his strong arms.
Josh pulled back to look at her, his sea glass eyes searching hers. “I know New York’s your home, but I’m really gonna miss you. These last two months…”
Anna reached up and softly touched his weathered cheek. “I know. I’ll miss this – miss you – more than I can say. You’ve made me happier than I’ve felt in a long time.”
Josh’s eyes crinkled. “Well, there’s always Skype and visits…I do know how to schedule the occasional weekend off.” His smile faltered slightly. “And who knows, maybe one day you’ll decide island life suits you and wash up back here for good.”
Anna gazed up at him. “Josh…” She hesitated.
“Yeah?”
Looking into his kind, handsome face, Anna felt a calm sense of clarity wash over her. In that moment, she knew.
“I don’t want to leave.”
Josh’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? But your job, your life…”
Anna smiled, joy and certainty rising within her. “That’s just it. This feels like my life now too. Being here with you this summer, I’ve remembered the parts of myself New York dimmed. I feel so happy, so free…like I’m finally home.”
She clasped Josh’s hands in hers. “I know it seems crazy, but if you’ll have me, I want to stay on Fripp. With you.”
“Anna…” Josh whispered her name like a prayer, then broke into a dazzling, dimpled grin. He whooped and swept her up, spinning Anna in his arms as she clung to him, dizzy and laughing.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss that left Anna breathless. As Josh set her down gently, still encircling her waist, Anna said “I can work remotely for my publisher, at least for now. Let’s give this a shot. I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet.”
Josh cupped her face tenderly. “I don’t want to either. I’ve been falling for you since the moment you first stepped onto my boat. If you’re willing to take a chance on me, on us, then so am I.”
He kissed her again, more softly this time. “Welcome home, Anna.”
She nestled into his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as the breeze swirled around them. The gulls cried overhead and waves murmured in the distance.
Anna knew challenges awaited, but she had faith they would navigate them together. Here in Josh’s arms, on this perfect island, she had found where she belonged. Finally, Anna was exactly where she wanted to be.
Chapter 12
Stormy Seas
The humid air hung heavy over Fripp Island, an ominous harbinger of the impending hurricane. Residents hustled, battening down hatches and stocking up on necessities. Josh was at the marina, his bronzed hands working quickly to secure his fleet of charter boats.
Anna found him there, wrestling with ropes and chains. The sight of his muscled arms straining against the tasks made her catch her breath, a stark contrast to the polished men she was accustomed to in New York.
“Need some help?” she called out over the gusting wind.
Josh turned around, surprise lighting up his sun-tanned face. “Anna? What are you doing here?”
She shrugged, a lopsided grin on her face. “I thought I could lend a hand.”
His initial surprise morphed into a grateful smile. “I could use it,” he admitted.
Working side by side, they secured the boats against the coming storm. Anna found herself drawn to Josh’s raw strength and honest labor, so different from the high-strung environment she’d left behind in New York City. There was a realness about him that was refreshing.
Josh watched Anna from the corner of his eye. She didn’t flinch from hard work, tying knots with a fierce determination that he admired. Her eyes sparkled with a challenge that he found intriguing.
The sky darkened as they worked, a low growl of thunder echoing in the distance. Anna’s heart pounded in time with the atmospheric pressure change, but it wasn’t fear that quickened her pulse.
It was him.
There was something about Josh that tugged at her heartstrings. His kindness, his love for his island life, his simple yet fulfilling lifestyle—it all resonated within her more than she ever thought possible.
Josh broke the silence as another rumble of thunder echoed overhead. “We should head for shelter soon.”
Anna nodded in agreement, but made no move to leave. She was acutely aware of his proximity, his cologne mixed with the scent of sea salt and fresh fish.
“You’re a natural at this,” Josh complimented, gesturing at the ropes Anna had expertly tied.
She laughed, the sound swallowed by the gusting wind. “Guess I’m just full of surprises.”
Josh’s eyes twinkled in the fading light. “That you are, Anna.”
They worked in comfortable silence, punctuated only by the escalating storm. It wasn’t until they’d secured the last boat that they both realized how close they were standing. Their bodies nearly touched, the charged air between them crackling with an unspoken tension.
Anna broke away first, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “We should go,” she stammered, gesturing towards the looming storm.
Josh agreed silently, offering her his arm as they walked back to his truck. He could still feel the warmth of her body through his clothes, an unexpected yet not unwelcome sensation.
The drive back to her rented cottage was filled with small talk and shared glances. They both felt a connection growing stronger than any hurricane could ever be.
As Josh pulled up to her place, he turned to Anna. His hazel eyes were serious as he took her hand in his. “Promise me you’ll stay safe during the storm.”
She nodded, squeezing his hand in return. “I promise.”
He held her gaze for a moment longer before releasing her hand and exiting the truck to escort her to her door. They stood awkwardly on her porch, both reluctant to say goodnight.
Finally, Anna broke the silence. “Thank you for today, Josh.”
He smiled down at her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Anytime, Anna.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Anna alone on her porch. As she watched his truck disappear into the stormy night, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing.
As she entered her cottage, Anna knew one thing for certain. The hurricane was coming, but there was a different kind of storm brewing inside her heart. And for the first time in a long time, she welcomed it.
She found herself looking forward to what the morning would bring. To see Josh again, to experiencing more of this island life that had quickly become more than just a summer getaway.
As she drifted off to sleep that night, the distant roar of the ocean matched the rhythm of her heartbeat. And though the storm raged outside, inside Anna’s heart was a calm she hadn’t felt in years.
Chapter 13
Staying On Fripp
Anna stood at the edge of the shore, toes buried in the warm sand as the fading light of dusk settled over the beach. The gentle lap of waves and cries of gulls overhead soothed her soul that had been jangled by city life. She breathed in the briny air, a small smile playing at her lips. After only a few weeks on Fripp Island, she felt more at home than she ever did crammed into her tiny New York apartment.
Turning from the ocean, she headed up the sandy path back towards the rental cottage. Inside, Josh was busy preparing their dinner of fresh caught shrimp over creamy grits. Anna paused in the doorway, watching him work comfortably in the small kitchen. She felt a swell of affection for this man who had shown her such care and kindness during her stay.
Josh glanced up, catching her gaze. “Hey there, dinner’s just about ready. Grab a seat on the porch and I’ll bring it out.”
Anna nodded and stepped back outside, settling into one of the weathered rocking chairs facing west towards the setting sun. She thought about how drastically her life had changed over the past year. The high-powered job, fancy apartment, and emotionally distant boyfriend were all part of another world now. A world that had left her drained and wanting something more.
Josh emerged balancing two heaping plates. As he set her meal down, his hand brushed against hers. Anna felt a spark shoot up her arm at the contact.
They ate while watching the sky transform into a dazzling canvas of pinks, oranges, and purples. When the last sliver of sun disappeared below the horizon, Anna finally spoke what had been on her mind all evening.
“Josh, I’ve been thinking a lot today. About my life back in New York. My job, my apartment, everything I left behind…” she trailed off.
Josh felt his stomach drop, worried she was about to announce her imminent departure.
“And well, I’ve made a decision. I’m not going back.”
Josh stared at her, not quite believing the words. “Wait, really? You’re staying on Fripp?”
Anna nodded, a nervous excitement building inside. “I wasn’t sure at first. But this past week has been so wonderful. Being out on the water with you every morning, exploring the island, just…living. It’s made me realize how much I was missing in New York. I was existing, not truly living.”
She reached over and put her hand on his, similar to the spark of before but deeper this time.
“You’ve made me feel more joy in a few days than I have in years back home. I want to stay here, figure out what comes next for me in this beautiful place. As long as that’s something you’d want too…”
Josh broke into a wide, dimpled grin and turned his hand to lace his fingers between hers.
“Anna, nothing could make me happier. These past days having you here, showing you my island, have been the best I’ve had in a long time.”
He gave her hand a small squeeze, his eyes reflecting the dazzling colors of the darkening sky.
“I know we just met, but I feel like I’ve been waiting for you. I always dreamed of sharing my life here with someone. Exploring together, building memories…”
He reached up and gently brushed a windblown strand of hair from her cheek.
“You sure you want to take a chance on an island guy like me?”
Anna felt her heart swell, all the hurt and uncertainty fading away. This felt right. She was ready to take the leap.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want to build a life here on Fripp with you.”
Unable to stop himself, Josh leapt up and pulled Anna into an embrace. She melted against him, knowing she had found her new beginning.
As they held each other under the twinkling blanket of stars, the gentle roar of waves serenaded the start of their island love story.
Chapter 14
Will You Be Mine
Josh awoke before dawn, slipping out of bed as quietly as he could to avoid waking Anna. He dressed swiftly in the dark, pulling on his worn jeans, a faded Captain Josh’s Charters t-shirt, and his beaten up deck shoes. Moving into the living room, Josh grabbed his tackle bag and fishing rods and headed out the door of his small cottage, breathing in the salty pre-dawn air.
The eastern horizon glowed with the coming sunrise as Josh loaded up his boat. He expertly guided the vessel away from the dock and towards the open water, feeling a familiar sense of peace wash over him. This was his favorite time of day, when the possibilities of the coming hours stretched endlessly ahead and the water gleamed like glass.
After motoring for twenty minutes, Josh cut the engine and let the boat drift. The first rays of sun crested over the ocean as he cast his line. Josh’s mind wandered as he waited for a bite. Ever since Anna had unexpectedly come into his life three weeks ago, his tried and true bachelor lifestyle had been upended. Spending time with her these past days, showing Anna the island sights and taking her out on his boat, had awakened feelings in Josh he thought lost long ago. Underneath her city polish, Josh sensed a kindred spirit who shared his appreciation for simple pleasures.
But Josh also detected lingering hurt in Anna, caution in the way she smiled just a beat too late at his jokes, the times her gaze grew distant when she thought he wasn’t looking. Josh understood heartbreak all too well, and he found himself longing to shelter Anna’s fragile, emerging joy.
A firm tug on his line jolted Josh from his thoughts. As he reeled in a shimmering red snapper, the sunlight dancing on the water, clarity dawned – he wanted a life with Anna, to share in adventures without end. The realization overwhelmed Josh, feelings swelling in his chest until he thought his heart would burst.
Mind racing, Josh guided the boat back to the dock. He changed quickly at the cottage, thoughts focused solely on finding Anna. Josh spied her sitting on their porch, book in hand, as he hurried up.
“Josh, you’re back earl-” Anna started, cut off as he dropped to one knee before her. Shock widened her eyes.
Josh grasped her hands, hope and fear swirling inside him. “Anna, these past weeks with you have awakened my heart in a way I thought impossible. I know it’s fast, but I want your forever. Will you marry me?”
Anna gaped at him, stunned into silence. Josh held his breath, his world narrowing to the woman before him. Slowly, she set her book down with trembling fingers.
“Josh…” Anna finally whispered. “You are the most caring, genuine person I’ve ever met. Being here with you has been a dream.” She swallowed hard. “But it’s too fast. My life is back in New York, and after everything with Jason, I can’t…” Her voice broke as a tear slipped down her cheek.
It was Josh’s turn to freeze as her words pierced his swelling joy. He stared at the porch floorboards, unable to meet her eyes. Gently, Anna squeezed his hands.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured. “Can we take things slow? I care about you, but I’m not ready…” Anna trailed off helplessly.
Taking a deep breath, Josh lifted his gaze. The understanding in Anna’s eyes eased the sharpness of rejection. He managed a shaky smile. “Of course. I want you to be happy.”
Rising, Josh pulled Anna into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. They stood entwined as the morning sun warmed the porch, each taking comfort in the other. Josh knew the sting would fade in time. For now, having Anna in his life would be enough.
Chapter 15
New Horizons
The early morning sun cast its warm glow across Fripp Island’s sandy shores as gentle waves lapped at the beach. Seagulls wheeled overhead, their calls piercing the salty ocean air. Anna walked barefoot in the sand, the breeze blowing strands of hair across her face. She tucked them behind her ear and paused to look out over the glittering water, taking a deep breath. Today was going to be a big day.
Last night, Josh had asked her to marry him during their moonlit stroll along Access 23. Her heart had swelled at his heartfelt proposal and she could see the nervous hopefulness in his eyes as he held out the ring. But Anna hesitated.
“Oh Josh…” she started, tears welling up. She loved him deeply, more than she thought possible. His rugged warmth, his kindness, the way he embraced life so fully here on Fripp Island – it all felt like home. After her tumultuous years in New York, Anna wanted nothing more than to build a life with Josh.
But marriage? It felt fast. They had only known each other a few months and Anna worried she was still on an emotional rebound from her last relationship’s painful ending. As wonderful as Josh was, doubts and fears crowded her mind when faced with such a permanent commitment. She needed more time.
Josh’s expectant face fell at her non-answer. “I’m sorry,” Anna choked out. “I just…can’t yet. I need some time to think.” Josh quietly nodded and slipped the ring back into his pocket, looking out at the darkened waves as they continued their walk in disappointed silence.
Anna had barely slept last night, tossing and turning as she agonized over her decision. She knew in her heart she wanted to be with Josh, but the lingering ghosts of past heartbreak held her back. Jason’s face appeared in her mind and old feelings of betrayal and mistrust needled their way to the surface.
As she lay awake staring at the slowly spinning ceiling fan, Anna wrestled with her fears. But one thing became absolutely clear – she couldn’t live without Josh. The thought of losing him over this made her ache. She had to say yes.
Throwing caution to the wind, Anna grabbed her phone and texted Josh – “Meet me at sunrise at Access 23.” If she was going to do this, it had to be where they first met, where she first felt the wonder of possibility on this island.
Josh replied immediately – “See you there.” Anna smiled and knew she had made the right choice.
As the sky lightened, Anna made her way to Access 23, her heart pounding. The beach was deserted except for a lone figure standing near the dunes staring out at the waves. Josh turned as Anna approached, his brown eyes widening in surprise.
“Hi,” Anna said softly.
“Hi yourself,” Josh replied. A flicker of hurt crossed his face, but he gave her a small smile. “I have to admit I was surprised by your text. After last night…”
Anna stepped forward and took his hands in hers. “I’m sorry about last night. When you asked me to marry you, it caught me off guard. I got scared and unsure. But then I was up all night thinking and realized something important – I don’t want to live without you.”
Josh’s eyes searched her face. “What are you saying?”
Anna gazed at him steadily. “I’m saying yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
At her words, Josh broke into a grin. He lifted her up and spun her around as she laughed. Setting her down gently, he caressed her cheek.
“Yeah?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.
“Yes!” Anna said. She kissed him tenderly at first, then passionately, all her doubt vanishing. This was right. He was right.
As they pulled apart, Josh took out the ring again. “May I?” he asked. Anna nodded, sticking out her left hand eagerly. Josh slid the ring on her finger, a perfect fit. Anna held her hand out, watching the rising sun sparkle on the diamond.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Josh said, kissing her again.
Hand in hand, they turned to watch the sun lift higher over the horizon, its rays glinting off the rolling waves. Pelicans skimmed the water’s surface while dolphins jumped in the distance.
“I used to come here every morning before the tourists got up,” Josh reminisced. “Just me and the sea. It always gave me peace. Now I’ll get to share that feeling with you.”
Anna leaned her head on Josh’s shoulder. “I can’t wait,” she said. “For every sunrise, every new day together.”
Josh smiled down at her. “Me too. I’m so glad you came into my life, Anna. I know we’re at the start of an amazing adventure together.”
“I think so too,” Anna said, joy and excitement bubbling up inside. “I can’t believe I’m getting married! And here on Fripp Island, this gorgeous paradise you’ve shown me.”
“It is pretty perfect, isn’t it?” Josh surveyed the shoreline. “We’ll have to start planning. Figure out where to have the ceremony, who to invite. I know my family will be thrilled!”
Anna nodded, thoughts spinning ahead to the fun details of their wedding by the sea. She pictured saying their vows barefoot on the beach at sunset, dancing under strings of lights to a local band, sending guests off with sweetgrass roses…
But there was plenty of time for all that. Right now, she just wanted to savor this moment with her soulmate – the man who helped her find herself again.
“I love you,” she said softly to Josh. “I’m so lucky I took a chance on Fripp Island…and on you.”
Josh wrapped his arms around Anna and kissed the top of her head. “I’m the lucky one. You’ve made my life complete.”
The rising sun shone brightly now, infusing the island with hope and promise. Anna and Josh strolled hand in hand along the surf, beginning each new step together.
Chapter 16
The New Dawning
The soft hue of pre-dawn bathed Fripp Island in a gentle glow as guests gathered along the shoreline at Access 23. The tranquil Atlantic lapped at the pristine beach, seafoam creeping up between toes sunk into the sand. A light breeze tousled Anna’s chestnut hair, carrying with it the briny scent of the ocean – a reminder of the new life awaiting her.
She breathed deeply, cherishing these last moments of solitude before the flurry of the ceremony. In just minutes she would walk down the aisle and pledge herself to Josh, binding their lives together before family and friends. As nervous anticipation bubbled within, Anna reflected on the journey that had led her to this moment.
Mere months ago she had arrived on the island emotionally adrift, her heart still bruised. Yet Fripp’s restorative energy had worked its magic. Long walks on the beach, bike rides beneath shady oaks, and sunsets shared with Josh over fresh-caught shrimp had healed wounds and opened her to love once more. She had found direction again, but also so much more – joy, passion, a kindred spirit who felt like home.
Now here they stood, ready to embark on a great adventure together, one filled with both discovery and comfort. As Josh took her hand Anna felt the permanence of this decision, but also its rightness. She had wavered many times in life, but not about this. Her heart was certain.
A hush fell over the crowd as the officiant took his place. Anna looked down the aisle at the groomsmen, their tan faces breaking into grins when she caught their eyes. Then there was Josh, tan and handsome in a simple white linen shirt and khaki pants. His green eyes misted over as they found hers, conveying a silent promise – I’ll always be your safe harbor.
Clasping her bouquet, Anna began her walk across the sand. The hem of her lace sundress fluttered around tanned calves as she went, beachy waves of hair cascading over her shoulders. She moved gracefully, each step carrying her towards a happiness once unimagined.
Reaching the driftwood arbor, Anna took Josh’s hand once more. His sturdy, weathered grip anchored her as they turned to face the officiant. The first fiery rays of sunrise caressed their smiling faces. Around them, the island held its breath.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” the officiant began. Anna gazed into Josh’s eyes, marveling that after so many years alone, her heart had finally led her home.
The officiant’s voice carried clearly over the hushed crowd as he led Anna and Josh through their vows. They had opted for traditional promises, the meaningful words seeming to capture the spirit of their union perfectly.
“I, Josh, take you Anna, to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.”
Josh’s voice rang with certainty as he spoke. Anna blinked back tears, overwhelmed by the devotion in his words.
When it was her turn, she steadied herself and gazed lovingly at her soon-to-be husband.
“I, Anna, take you Josh, to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.”
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, but never wavered. She meant every word.
With the vows complete, they exchanged rings – simple, elegant bands crafted from local oyster shells. Josh’s hand shook slightly as he slid the ring onto Anna’s finger. She cradled his hand in return, comforting him as she completed the ritual.
Finally, the officiant uttered the words they had long awaited. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!”
Josh’s smile shone brighter than the rising sun as he drew Anna close. Their lips met tenderly, sealing the sacred covenant they had entered into. Anna surrendered blissfully to the kiss, knowing she was finally home in the arms of the man she loved.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, the island welcoming its newest couple. As Anna and Josh parted, their eyes glistened with joyful tears. Foreheads touching, they lingered in the moment – the first of many on their remarkable journey together.
With the ceremony concluded, Anna and Josh’s wedding reception spilled joyously across Fripp Island. Residents and visitors alike gathered to celebrate the newlyweds, the island community buzzing with festive energy.
Gay’s Seafood had generously provided a bounty of fresh local shrimp, grilled to perfection over oak-smoked barrels. Guests feasted happily on the sweet, succulent meat as the smokehouse’s tangy secret seasoning left lips tingling. Laughter and chatter carried on the ocean breeze as people dined picnic-style across the beach.
As the sun climbed higher, a local blues band tuned up, their soulful island rhythms coaxing some couples to dance barefoot across the sand. Others took leisurely strolls down the shoreline hand-in-hand, relishing having an entire seaside paradise as their wedding venue.
Josh proudly introduced his new wife to childhood friends while Anna’s relatives marveled at the quaint island charm. Paddle Boards, kayaks, and boat cruises were offered eagerly to the newlyweds for future adventures. Watching Josh’s carefree joy as he shared his home, Anna knew in her heart she had made the right choice.
When the time came, Josh took Anna’s hand, leading her down the dock to his sailboat. As they boarded for a romantic sunset cruise, a chorus of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the beaming couple waved farewell amidst a flurry of birdseed tossed by laughing children. They sailed off blissfully into the shimmering horizon, Fripp Island’s warmth and generosity sailing with them.
The wedding represented not just the union of two souls, but the joining of one woman to this living, breathing community. Fripp had welcomed Anna with open arms, and as she gazed back at its fading shoreline, she whispered a promise – I’m home now. This is where I belong.
Chapter 17
Dark Tides
The fading light of dusk cast shadows across the docks of Fripp Island Marina. An anxious crowd had gathered as the Coast Guard helicopter rumbled overhead, preparing to launch search efforts for Josh and Anna. They should have returned hours ago from their post-wedding sail, but the vintage sailboat was nowhere to be found.
Earlier, the newlyweds had set off full of joy – Anna still radiant in her lace sundress, Josh grinning proudly as he guided them out of the channel. Guests cheered and waved, pelting them with birdseed as they sailed towards the sunset. Laughter echoed across the water as the island wished them well.
But as afternoon dissolved into evening, unease had crept in. Josh was far too experienced a sailor to simply lose track of time. When the boat still hadn’t appeared by dusk, the wedding party mobilized into action. Now night was falling, and with it dread that something was terribly amiss.
“Any sign of them yet?” Anna’s mother asked, cradling her trembling chin. The helicopter pilot shook his head grimly as he fired up the rotors.
“We’ll search as long as we can safely manage,” he replied, voice crackling through his headset. “If we haven’t found them by midnight, we’ll have to call off the active search till morning.”
Anna’s mother stifled a sob, supported by her ashen-faced husband. Josh’s family clutched each other tight, their weathered faces etched with fear. They all knew the dangers of open water, especially at night. And no one dared voice the worst fear of all – that the couple’s fairy tale day had ended in tragedy.
As the helicopter lifted off, boats volunteers spread across the harbor, coordinating with the Coast Guard cutter idling offshore. Grim but determined, the makeshift search party piloted their vessels into the gathering night.
Flashlights strafed across the inky water as shouts rang out, hoping for a response. But only the keening cry of gulls answered back.
An ominous fog had rolled in, limiting visibility to barely 100 feet in every direction. The air hung thick with dread and sea spray.
“Josh! Anna!” the rescuers continued to yell, refusing to give up hope. They carefully navigated the treacherous shoals, keeping one eye peeled for debris.
But aside from the lonely buoy lights winking in the mist, the seas appeared empty. No sailboat. No passengers. Just the endless dark waters.
Hours passed with no breakthrough. Some smaller crafts had to return to shore, low on fuel and unable to safely continue.
But the Coast Guard pressed onward through the perilous night. Josh and Anna were two of their own – they would search till sunrise if they had to.
But as midnight came and went, even their stout professionalism was waning.
The radio crackled – no sightings anywhere within 10 miles of shore. The Coast Guard commander rubbed his eyes, fatigue and worry etched on his weathered face. It was time to make the call…
As 3 a.m approached, the wind was high and causing danger to the helicopter. The Coast Guard commander reluctantly gave the order over the radio – “Suspend active search efforts and return to harbor.”
His heart sank, knowing there was little more they could do tonight. The winds had picked up, whipping the seas into a frenzy and hindering visibility even further. Several boats had narrowly avoided running aground on shifting shoals. To press on invited catastrophe.
One by one, the volunteer boats motored back to the docks in solemn procession, weighed down by despair. Josh’s family rushed to meet them, faces pleading for good news. But the rescuers could only shake their heads, exchanging somber embraces.
The Coast Guard crew docked last, their skilled faces haunted. “We searched over 150 square miles,” the commander updated. “The conditions out there are treacherous. We’ll resume at first light when the weather clears.”
“You can’t stop now!” Anna’s mother implored, wild-eyed. “They’re still out there, I know it! You have to keep looking!” Her body shook with sobs.
Gently, the commander rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry ma’am. I know this is impossibly hard, but we’ve done all we can tonight. We’ll be heading back out at sunrise, I assure you.”
Josh’s father stepped forward, his strong jaw quivering. “Most of us have sailed these waters our whole lives. If anyone can survive a night at sea, it’s our son.” He stood tall, still clinging to hope. “We must keep faith.”
Silently, the search party and family members filed from the docks towards town. As they trudged up the moonlit road, each said their own prayer – for persisting hope, for skilled rescue, and most desperately, for two lost lovers to make it through this endless night.
The island held its breath, its tranquil essence disrupted by worry. Tonight, even the gentle lap of the tide sounded like a dirge. But as the weary searchers collapsed into fitful sleep, they knew dawn would bring renewed vigor. They had to believe there were still miracles left to grace Fripp Island.
Chapter 18
Without Answers
As the days bled into weeks, the search for Josh and Anna dragged on. But as sunrise after sunrise greeted the weary rescuers, their efforts remained fruitless. No sign of the couple or their sailboat could be found.
For the first few days, the Coast Guard, local fishermen, and volunteers had scoured the surrounding waters with relentless determination. But as time passed with no breakthrough, morale gradually dimmed. The search area expanded mile by mile from Fripp Island until weeks later, the entire South Carolina coastline had been thoroughly combed.
Yet not so much as a scrap of wreckage or piece of debris could be recovered. It was as if the sea had completely swallowed Josh, Anna, and their vintage sailboat, leaving no trace behind. With each passing day, hope diminished.
A month after the couple’s disappearance, the Coast Guard finally suspended their active search. Josh and Anna’s families were devastated. They had stood stalwart along the docks daily as the boats left, clutching photos of the missing newlyweds. Now they fell into each other’s arms, inconsolable.
The island community grieved along with them. Josh was one of their own, and Anna had become family as well when she married into their tight-knit coastal clan. Their loss rippled across Fripp, leaving the island subdued and off-kilter.
Friends organized candlelight vigils along the beach as the families struggled through each excruciating hour. Josh’s fishing charter office stood empty, his boat inactive in its slip. Pictures of his wide grin and Anna’s radiant smile haunted the island.
Without answers, closure eluded everyone. They were simply gone – no distress call, no wreckage, no bodies to mourn over. The sea had swallowed them silently, as if they never existed at all. It was an unfathomable ending to what began as an enchanted island romance.
As weeks turned to months, Fripp gradually returned to its rhythms – fishermen headed out before dawn, tourists biked the shady trails. But an ache still lingered, just under the surface. A sense that without Josh and Anna, the island’s light had dimmed. That a darkness still lurked within the waters off its shore.
Chapter 19
The Tides of Change
A somber stillness hung over Fripp Island in the months following Josh and Anna’s disappearance. Though life gradually resumed its rhythms, the wounds left by their absence still ached. Especially for those who were closest to them.
Seeing Josh’s slip empty at the marina every morning was too much for his grieving father to bear. The fishing boats that had been Josh’s livelihood were constant reminders of all he had lost. So reluctantly, Josh’s dad sold the boats to a buyer in Virginia – far enough away that their outlines wouldn’t haunt the docks any longer.
Josh had lived in a quaint cottage near the marina, preserving the style of old island living even as modern mansions sprouted up around it. But its cozy rooms and widow’s walk now echoed with painful memories. Josh’s family decided to sell the property to a developer who tore down the weathered cottage to construct a gleaming new vacation home.
Piece by piece, physical traces of Josh were disappearing from the island. His grinning face no longer greeted tourists at the docks or led fishing charters out to sea. No more did his powerful arms hoist a cool beer at the local watering hole, his booming laugh ringing out above the crowd.
And though she had only been part of the island family for a short time, Anna had left an indelible mark as well. The little bookshop where she had found a job was missing her insightful recommendations and bright smile. Over morning coffee, neighbors no longer ran into her as she returned from seaside jogs, chestnut hair swirling.
For those closest to the couple, the absence was acute. Wounds that had just begun to mend were torn open again with each changing of the seasons, another year gone without answers. Josh’s mother wandered the beaches alone each evening, gazing out at the indifferent sea that had stolen her son. She collected seashells, remembering how Anna had delighted in stumbling upon them during her island explorations.
On what would have been Josh and Anna’s first anniversary, their families joined hands on the beach in a circle of grief and grace. They threw wreaths of wildflowers into the surf, the offerings floating away on the rolling waves – a symbolic tribute to two beautiful lives cut tragically short.
In the gentle ebb and flow of island life, time did gradually diffuse the sadness. Laughter returned to Fripp, though more muted than before. But there remained an enduring change, like a shifted tide. A sense that some essential light had gone out, leaving the world dimmed.
The sea had returned two souls, but kept the answers. And as Fripp’s residents looked out over the waters that had betrayed them, each privately wondered – would the mysteries lingering below the depths ever fully release their grip? Would the shadows over the island ever truly lift?
For now, that question remained unanswered. And so Fripp continued on, bearing its wounds as best it could. The island’s spirit persisted, though altered – a testament to the indelibility of loss, but also the human capacity to carry on in its wake.
Chapter 20
Riptide of Revelations
The contents of Josh’s cottage had remained boxed up for months, a project too painful for his family to tackle. But on a quiet afternoon, his mother finally mustered the courage. She began gingerly sifting through the relics of her son’s life – old fishing gear, high school yearbooks, his collection of vintage nautical maps. Each item unleashed a flood of bittersweet memories.
Reaching the bottom of a box, her fingers brushed against smooth leather – Anna’s purse. Josh’s mother had forgotten it was left behind in the chaos of their disappearance. She drew it out, caressing the softness of the leather. It still smelled faintly of Anna’s perfume.
Unable to resist a glimpse into the young woman who had made her son so happy, Josh’s mother unclasped the purse. Her fingers skimmed over lipstick, a paperback novel, seashells collected from the shore. Then, tucked into a side pocket – a sonogram image.
Shocked, Josh’s mother nearly dropped the glossy photo. With trembling hands she turned it over. A note was attached in Anna’s graceful script:
“My Dearest Josh,
Now that we’re on our honeymoon, I can finally give you my surprise wedding present – you’re going to be a father! I found out just before the wedding. I know we planned to wait a few years, but it seems this little blessing had other plans. Don’t worry – I firmly believe this is meant to be. We’re going to make wonderful parents together. And though the journey may be unexpected, it will be all the more magical for it.
Welcome to fatherhood, my love. I can’t wait to experience each moment of this adventure with you by my side.
All my love, Anna”
The note slipped from Josh’s mother’s fingers. Tears blurred her vision as the revelation sank in. Her son had sailed off on his wedding day unaware that he would soon be a father. And now, he would never hold his baby in his arms.
At once, the loss deepened. It was no longer just Josh and Anna swallowed by the sea, but an innocent child who never had a chance to live. A whole family gone in one cruel twist of fate.
When Josh’s mother composed herself enough to share the discovery, shockwaves rippled across the island. Josh’s family and Anna’s parents clung to one another, united in renewed grief. All the hopes and dreams that should have been – baby first steps on the beach, Josh rocking his child to sleep, Anna’s radiant smile as she felt the baby kick – lost forever to the indifferent tide.
On the windswept shore, Anna’s mother collapsed to her knees in the sand, as she read the note her daughter had written, keening cries echoing across the water. Villagers gathered solemnly around her, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The sea had betrayed them all in the most devastating way imaginable.
The fading light of dusk bathed Fripp Island in a somber glow. At Tarpon Point, friends and family gathered silently along the shoreline clutching bouquets of wildflowers – thistles, seaside goldenrod, and beach morning glories. They had come together for one final memorial to Josh, Anna, and the child they never got to meet.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, Anna’s mother stepped forward, her face weary with grief. “We gather here today to honor three beautiful souls lost at sea,” she began, voice trembling. “Taken too soon, but never forgotten.”
Quiet murmurs of assent rippled through the crowd. Eyes glistened with tears not yet shed over this reopened wound.
“Though we never knew you, little one, you remain in our hearts,” Anna’s mother continued. She knelt, laying the first bouquet upon the lapping tide. One by one, others followed suit until the water shimmered with blossoms.
As the offerings drifted across the channel towards the open ocean, a startled voice cried out. “Look! Over there on Pritchard Island!”
Heads turned, gazes drawn to the neighboring shoreline. A small crowd had gathered, pointing urgently. And there, resting upside down on the sandbar, the ghostly outline of a battered sailboat.
Mouths fell open in shock. Even from a distance, the vessel’s vintage build was unmistakable. Wind Song – the name still legible on the side despite being half-buried in sand. It was Josh’s boat.
Spurred to action, Fripp Island’s men scrambled for their skiffs, racing across the channel towards the eerie discovery. Anna’s mother clutched her husband’s arm, hardly daring to breathe. Could this be the clue they had waited over a year for?
The boats beached on Pritchard’s shoreline as the men jumped into the shallows, rushing towards the wreckage. Sand had filled the hull and covered the splintered mast. Much of the starboard side was crushed, the cabin window shattered.
One of the rescuers reached a tentative hand towards a scrap of lace tangled across the tiller. “My God,” he breathed. “It’s her wedding vale.”
Anna’s mother let out a strangled cry, muffled by her husband’s embrace. Surrounding her, the villagers swayed in shock and dismay. It was as if the sea had given up her dead.
Gingerly, the men righted the broken vessel, digging it free of the sandbar. The missing couple was nowhere to be found, but the boat’s grim return was answer enough. After over a year of tormenting mystery, Wind Song had finally come back to Fripp Island’s shore.
As the ashen-faced party steered the battered boat back across the channel, reality settled like a shroud over the island. Their worst fears had been confirmed. There would be no miracle – no reunion or joyful homecoming for the couple who had sailed away in bliss more than a year ago.
Only the bittersweet finality of closure, and a chance to properly mourn what the sea had taken. Fripp bowed its head as dusk surrendered to night. For the first time, the darkness brought comfort instead of mystery. However cold, it was an ending.
In the weeks that followed, fresh memorials dotted Fripp Island. Wind chimes made from seashells hung from cottages, tinkling in the ocean breeze.
Some attendees floated tiny model sailboats – an homage to three lost lives rather than two. The swelling emptiness was carved into every weathered face.
If there were any answers to be found beneath the waves, they remained submerged in the depths. And so Fripp Island slowly learned to live with the ache, finding solace in community and remembrance.
Time eased the sting, but the scar persisted – a testament to bonds broken, innocence lost, and the enduring mark left when the sea takes back what was once hers.
THE END
About Fripp Island
Fripp Island, South Carolina, emerges from the Atlantic as a gem of the sea, a place where nature’s handiwork is on splendid display, and the line between land and water is crafted with artful serenity.
The island, just a stone’s throw from Beaufort, offers visitors a chance to step away from the rush of daily life and into a tranquil coastal embrace. Covering approximately 7 square miles, Fripp is known for its warm-hearted community and quiet lifestyle.
The beaches of Fripp Island are the island’s crowning glory. Stretching for miles, they are a canvas of soft, pale sand—a haven for sun-worshippers and those seeking solace by the sea. The rhythm of the waves creates an unparalleled symphony, providing the perfect backdrop for a sunrise jog or a peaceful afternoon of beachcombing.
Searching the sands reveals treasures like delicate shells or the rare find of a shark’s tooth, each a unique souvenir of the island’s natural bounty.
Beyond the honest beauty of its beaches, Fripp Island is cocooned by the intricate ecosystem of South Carolina’s saltwater marshlands.
These vast expanses of marsh grass, changing color with the seasons, are crisscrossed by tidal creeks and are a vital component of the coastal ecology.
They serve as nurseries for a myriad of sea life, as well as providing habitats for bird species both common and rare. Kayakers glide through the waterways, guided by the soft call of the marsh hen, and find themselves observers in a world that thrives on the ebb and flow of the tides.
For those drawn to the natural world, Fripp Island represents an opportunity to observe, engage, and understand the delicate dance of coastal ecosystems.
Whether it’s the spectacle of loggerhead turtles nesting by moonlight or the sight of bottlenose dolphins cutting gracefully through the surf, the island’s dynamic interplay of land, sea, and wildlife is truly a sight to behold.
Fripp doesn’t just offer an escape; it offers a return to raw beauty and an invitation to witness the enchantment of nature at its purest.
Acknowledgment
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dear friend, who first introduced me to the magical paradise that is Fripp Island, South Carolina over 15 years ago. Her generous invitation to come stay in your lovely beach house for two glorious weeks every spring and fall has become a lifeline for me.
The tranquility I’ve found walking along the surf at sunrise, sitting atop the weathered rocks at the end of Tarpon in the evening glow, and meandering the maritime forest trails in between has been inspirational beyond measure.
This special place has truly swept me away, nurtured my creativity, and refreshed my spirit year after year.
The experiences and memories made on Fripp have been integral to envisioning and crafting this series set on the island.
I couldn’t have brought this story or its characters to
life without being immersed in the sights, sounds, and energy of this beautiful island sanctuary you welcomed me into.
My deepest thanks and appreciation for your friendship and hospitality over the past decade and a half. I always look forward to our visits together on Fripp and building more special memories that will soon find their way into the pages of the next book!
Copyright © 2024 by Craig Bohannon
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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First Edition: April 2024