Nash was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed his neighbor was no longer on her lanai. She probably has a date, he thought as he took the stack of papers inside with him. He closed the glass door but kept the blinds open. People around the condo spent plenty of time outside. He was sure to see her again.

  Deciding to put all thought of his neighbor aside, Nash called the vet clinic. Penny was still laboring and, according to Dr. Mellow, she was doing great. Relieved, he took a hot shower and settled in for the evening. Penny would be fine. The math tests were graded. Most of his students had done very well. He was proud of them, and Penny too.

  He clicked the TV on and scrolled through the guide, searching for something to watch. Nothing interested him. Crime shows and reality shows about women whose lips were the size of small pillows were definitely not his thing. He turned the TV off and decided he’d go for a run. He’d been a runner his entire adult life. He was more of a trotter since he had Penny, but tonight he felt like he needed the endorphins that a good run provided.

  He laced up his sneakers and grabbed his cell phone and keys. He would run on the beach. The tide was out; the sand would be packed hard enough for him to run on. With that in mind, he headed to the beach, his head once again filled with visions of the woman on the lanai.

  Chapter Three

  Emma was sure her neighbor was watching her while she pretended to read. He had a stack of papers he kept moving back and forth. She had no clue what that meant, but it didn’t matter. She quickly went inside to refill her glass of water, and when she returned, her neighbor was nowhere in sight.

  If she continued this crazy spying on her handsome neighbor, and if anyone caught on, she’d be kicked out of the community before she even had a chance to belong. Maybe she’d run into Marlena again. She would use her skills as an attorney to discover just who her sexy neighbor was. Subtlety had been her most potent skill when she’d gone up against corporate giants in the courtroom.

  Deciding to get some work done, Emma unpacked the large boxes filled with her most prized artwork. For the next hour, she hung the paintings on the main living room wall. When she finished, she used her smartphone to list a few items she needed from the grocery store. She looked up Vittles’ address on a search engine, bookmarking it for tomorrow. Next on her list: She wanted to find a family doctor, just in case. Maybe Marlena could recommend one to her. Emma’s car was still under warranty, so she didn’t need a mechanic yet, but she noted it anyway. What if she had a flat tire? Emma knew she had a lot to learn about her new town. She would find a church of the faith she’d always practiced in Miami and continue here in Pink Pearl Cove. She made friends fast; what better place to make more friends? Tomorrow was Sunday. She clicked through a few websites before finding a branch of her church. She would attend the second service, as she’d done most of her life.

  Emma dismantled the large boxes that had contained her artwork, placing them beside the door so she would remember to bring them to the recycling bin. Without anything further that required her attention, she returned to her book, which was now completely dry. The pages had puffed up and she knew a replacement was in order, but it wasn’t so damaged that she couldn’t read it.

  Before settling back into her story, she made a cup of mint tea and took it to the living room. She sat in her favorite chair, a small table beside her, and started reading. She reread the parts she’d pretended to read earlier, while she’d watched her neighbor. She was so engrossed in her novel that she knocked over her tea when she heard the doorbell. It was odd, because no one had rung it before, or knocked on her door.

  “Dang,” Emma said as she blotted the tea on her shorts with the hem of her shirt. She knew she looked untidy, but she didn’t care. This was who she was now, her true self. No longer the sleek, dressed-to-the-nines attorney.

  “Coming,” Emma called a few seconds before opening the door.

  “You left this at the pool,” said Marlena, holding out a bottle of sunscreen. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

  For a second, Emma didn’t recognize her new friend. She had shoulder-length blond hair and a smile that lit up her hazel eyes. Emma towered over her.

  “No, nothing to interrupt. Thanks for returning this.” She held up the bottle before tossing it on the counter behind her. “Do you have time for a glass of wine? I have a bottle I’ve been waiting to share with someone.” She laughed. “I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “Wine? You bet,” Marlena said as she came inside. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Very modern.”

  Emma searched through the kitchen drawers for her corkscrew. Finding it, she turned to face Marlena, who’d made herself comfortable on one of the three barstools.

  “It is, but it wasn’t my doing. I bought it this way. Sight unseen. No, that’s not true. I just didn’t see it in person before I bought it. Did see photos from the real estate agent. So I had a good idea of what I was getting. I believe the previous owner was in some tech business.”

  “I think so, though I never met him. He wasn’t here very long. Maybe six months?” Marlena said.

  Emma uncorked the wine and poured a glass for both of them.

  Marlena raised her glass. “Let’s make a toast.”

  “Absolutely,” Emma agreed. “To new beginnings and new friends.”

  Marlena repeated her words, and they clinked their glasses together.

  “Let’s sit on the lanai; the sun is about to set,” Emma suggested to her guest.

  Marlena trailed behind her. “You have one of the best views, being on this side of the condo.”

  “I do?” Emma asked.

  “Of course, the building opposite you has beachfront views. It’s strange, because their lanais face away from the beach. I believe the master bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows.”

  “I guess waking up with a view of the Gulf of Mexico is appealing. I don’t mind taking a short walk to the beach. I grew up in Miami, so maybe I’m burned out on that part. Our house was actually on the beach.” She gave a short laugh. It was more like a castle than a house, but she wouldn’t reveal that. She didn’t want to come off as a braggart.

  “I understand. I grew up in Maine and we also lived on the waterfront. I could never understand what the tourists got all worked up about. I do now, but when you’re a kid, you never really appreciate what you have until it’s gone.”

  Emma detected a trace of sadness in her voice. “I agree. I’ve never been to Maine. I hear it’s gorgeous in the fall.” Her comment sounded lame, but it was all she could come up with. She didn’t want Marlena to think she was nosy. Even though she was, at least when it came to her neighbor across the way.

  “It is. Walt and I go back in October every year. His family still lives there.”

  Emma sipped her wine. “You don’t have family there?” So much for not being nosy.

  “Not anymore,” Marlena said. “I have a stepbrother. He lives in town. We’re close, but that’s it.”

  “So, I take it you were an only child for a while?” Emma realized she was asking questions the way she had in the courtroom. “I’m sorry—it’s none of my business. My excuse is that I am—was—an attorney. I gave it up to move here. I want to teach school.”

  Marlena busted out laughing. “You did what?” She held up her hand to stop Emma. “You don’t have to explain.”

  Emma set her wineglass on the table between them. “I should. I was in corporate law for ten years. I traveled the world fighting for corporations that wanted more of whatever they could get their hands on. One day—it was just a couple of months ago—I quit. I sold my old condo, hired my replacement, bought this place, and sent out my teaching résumé to several schools. I’ve subbed at the elementary school and fell in love with the kids. I think teaching is my true calling. My parents were attorneys and I just followed in their footsteps.”

  “You’re too young to have a second career.”

  “I started college at sixteen. I was a nerd, I admit. It was tough the first couple of years in college, but it was a breeze after that.”

  “I take it your family approves?”

  Emma shook her head. “They wouldn’t if they were alive. An only child, older parents—that’s me.”

  “I see.” Marlena paused, as though she were contemplating her next words. “I had a sister once. She was two years older. We were best friends, even when she was in high school and I was in middle school. She always included me when she hung out with her friends. I was never that bratty little sister to her. She passed away during her first year of college.”

  Emma didn’t know what to say. All the usual words meant nothing. She’d been a recipient of them when her mom and dad died.

  “It’s okay, Emma. Nothing anyone says can change what happened.”

  “I would tell you I’m sorry, but I know that doesn’t mean diddly-squat. But I am sad you lost your best friend. I never had a sister or a best friend. I was too busy either studying or working.”

  “Yeah, well, for whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you moved here. I think you and I are going to be terrific friends.”

  “Then let’s have another glass of wine to celebrate our new friendship,” Emma said. She hurried to the kitchen, returning with the bottle of wine. She refilled their glasses.

  After her third glass of wine, Emma felt the false courage alcohol sometimes gave her. She pointed to the dark condo directly across from hers. “What about that guy?”

  Marlena saw where Emma directed her gaze. “You won’t believe it, but he’s a teacher. Math, of all things. His little Penny is in labor right now. I guess that’s why he hasn’t been home all night. He usually sits on the lanai in the evening. I’m not sure if he’s scoping out the women at the pool or what. He’s very easy on the eyes.”

  All Emma took from Marlena’s words was that Penny was in labor. “He was here. Before you came over.”

  “So you two met?’ Marlena prompted.

  “No. He was here. Not here, here, but on his lanai. I saw him. I think he was watching me.”

  “I wonder if Penny delivered early? He promised he would let Walt and me see the puppies as soon as he brought them home.”

  “What are you talking about?” Emma tried to clear her head. Penny was in labor. The neighbor promised puppies.

  Once again, Marlena laughed. “Penny is Nash’s dachshund. She’s in labor at the vet clinic. He took her there so they could monitor the delivery because he was terrified at the prospect of caring for her alone.”

  All Emma could do was nod. Nash. What kind of name was that?

  “Tell me about him,” Emma said. She was half lit and didn’t care what she said at this stage. It was one of the reasons she rarely had more than one glass of wine.

  “As I said, he’s a math teacher at the high school. As far as I know, he isn’t married and loves dogs.”

  Emma pondered this. “How long has he lived there?” She nodded toward the condo.

  “Maybe two years? He’s from around here, so I don’t think he will pick up and leave anytime soon,” Marlena said. “As much as I regret it, I need to go home. I have that little stinker to look after. He was asleep when I left, but my husband will need a break regardless.”

  Emma stood up, a bit unsteady after three glasses of wine, but she managed to walk Marlena to the door and say good night.

  As soon as she locked up, Emma changed into her pajamas and got ready for bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  Chapter Four

  Emma stepped out of the shower, her head pounding from too much wine the night before. She knew better. She made a cup of coffee in the kitchen, returning to her bedroom so she could get ready for church. She dried her hair, put on mascara and lip gloss, then slipped into a yellow sheath dress with matching flats. Checking herself in the full-length mirror inside her closet, she looked presentable, despite how she felt.

  She clicked the map bookmarked on her phone, grabbed her keys from the dolphin hook, and headed to her car. The church was only five minutes away, so she had plenty of time.

  Guiding her sleek white Mercedes-Benz from her tiny garage wasn’t easy. Emma considered purchasing a smaller vehicle sometime soon. Once she was clear, she hit the automatic garage door opener so it would close behind her.

  Taking the scenic route down Flamingo Boulevard, she saw a few shops open and planned to stop in on her way home. It would be another way she would get to know the folks in Pink Pearl Cove, though she’d learned from Marlena that most referred to the town simply as the Cove.

  The lot was packed when she reached the Chapel by the Sea’s parking area. Emma had to parallel park across the street. She wouldn’t lallygag next Sunday. The early service was either running late or she was too soon for the second service.

  It turned out her first assumption was correct. As soon as she crossed the street, the church doors opened and folks spilled out like a bouquet of colorful flowers. Emma couldn’t help but smile as she stood to the side, waiting for the church to empty for the next service. Some people lingered in groups, while others went quickly to their vehicles. Five minutes passed before she went inside. Unsure if the locals had specific seats, she chose a pew next to the last row, where she sat in the middle to view the pastor as he spoke.

  While she waited for the organist to finish the opening hymn, Emma thought the second service didn’t appear as crowded as the first. She listened intently as Pastor Ellison spoke to his congregation. He was younger than most clergy, but spoke with such passion that Emma felt she’d lucked out when she chose Chapel by the Sea. When the service wrapped up, Emma took her time exiting the church, hoping she might run into Marlena or someone she’d met before at the school or library.

  A figure blocked the sun as she entered the main aisle. As she made her way toward the exit, Emma stopped so suddenly that somebody bumped into her. A toddler had appeared out of nowhere. Emma almost stepped on the child.

  “Miss?” a voice from behind her said. “Are you all right?”

  “Uh, sorry, yes, I’m fine,” Emma said, searching for the child. A woman scooped him up, disappearing before she could say anything. As long as the kid is okay, she thought.

  “I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before,” the woman commented.

  Emma wanted to escape, but a man was blocking the exit, speaking to someone. He didn’t appear to have a clue that he was causing a human pileup inside.

  “No, today is my first visit,” Emma said distractedly to the woman behind her.

  “Let’s not make it your last,” the woman said kindly.

  “I’ll do my best,” Emma said, finally turning around to face the woman. She was tiny, with a head full of white curly hair and sparkly blue eyes.

  “Are you married?” the woman asked out of the blue.

  Emma swallowed, her throat dry. “Uh, no.”

  “That’s wonderful. You don’t have a boyfriend or someone you’re interested in?”

  Nosy, Emma thought. “What did you say your name was?”

  “I’m Mrs. Whitton. I work at the library.”

  If this was the same woman Marlena had described, she must have two personalities—one for the library and another for the church.

  “It’s nice to meet you. I was just in the library last week,” Emma said, still not giving her name. Could the old gal have an aging son? Maybe she was looking for a fix-up. No, Emma thought, that’s too awkward to contemplate.

  “Did you check out a book?”

  Beyond nosy. Whoever that was blocking the flow to the exit would get a dirty look from her. Church or not. “Isn’t that what the library is for?” Emma said, her voice not as kind as before.

  “Now, listen up. If you want to borrow books from my library, it’s best not to get an attitude with me. Especially here in a house of worship.”

  Now Emma understood what Marlena had referred to. “I have already checked a book out, and yesterday it got soaked at the pool. The pages are so thick now, I can’t close the cover.” Emma turned away so Mrs. Whitton wouldn’t see the grin on her face.

  “Then you will be fined and marked as a book offender. You will not be allowed to borrow books for thirty days. Those are my rules. I will expect a replacement Monday morning.”

  “A book offender? Are you serious?” Emma asked, trying her best not to laugh.

  “It’s not something I take lightly, young lady.”

  Finally, the man running his mouth stepped away from the exit. Emma couldn’t get away from old Mrs. Whitton fast enough. She practically flew down the steps and crossed the street to her car. She gave herself a few minutes to calm down while waiting for the air-conditioning to cool the hot car.

  Looking across the street, she spied the guy who’d been running his mouth.

  It was her neighbor.

  Nash.

  Chapter Five

  As Emma drove away from the church, she had second thoughts about attending next week’s late service. She had no problem getting up to attend the earlier one.