The day that the book arrived for Bella, the weather chose not to cooperate. It was not a beach day. And she didn’t feel like staying in her room all day, so she decided to venture out and go downtown. She put on her ‘keep away’ outfit—the baggy jeans, oversized Nantucket sweatshirt, jean jacket, sunglasses and the pink Red Sox baseball cap. No one would look at her twice in that ensemble. The thought made her happy. She stuffed the thick paperback her agent had sent into a tote bag, grabbed her wallet and room key and went off to find a ride into town.

A quick stop at the concierge desk helped her to arrange a ride.

“Head outside, and Johnny should be up in a few minutes. Look for the white Range Rover,” Andrea told her.

“Thank you.”

A moment after Bella walked outside, Johnny pulled up and seemed happy to see her.

She climbed into the back seat and they were on their way. The ride into town took about fifteen minutes or so and Johnny chatted most of the way.

“Are you enjoying your visit so far?” he asked.

“I am. It’s wonderful and relaxing. Exactly what I’d hoped for.”

“Good. Less busy than Los Angeles, right?”

She was impressed that he remembered. “Yes, so much nicer.”

“Are you off to do some shopping?”

“I think so. I might find a coffee shop first and read for a bit. The rain made me stir crazy. I didn’t want to just sit in my room.”

“I get that. A coffee shop that’s near the wharf is The Corner Table. And if you get hungry later and feel like pizza, down at the Wharf there’s a takeout place, Oath, that is very good. If you want something sweet, stop by the chocolate shop, Sweet Inspirations. People go crazy for the dark chocolate covered cranberries.”

“Really? Have you had them? That sounds kind of strange, to be honest.”

Johnny laughed. “Yes, I’ve had them. They will give you a free sample and you’ll be hooked. You’ll see.”

“Okay, now you’ve intrigued me. I will go try them.”

“I can drop you right at that coffee shop, if you like?”

“That’s perfect.”

A few minutes later, Johnny pulled up to The Corner Table. Bella gave him a generous tip and headed into the coffee shop. It was busy, but she didn’t mind the line. It gave her a chance to check out the menu and decide what she wanted. When it was her turn to order, she decided on a caramel latte and a banana nut muffin and once she had both, settled into a comfy armchair. She people-watched out the window as she ate her muffin and sipped her coffee. And then she opened the book and read the first page.