Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1) Read Online Free

and felt much calmer than earlier. My ankle throbbed, but I’d survive.
    “So how was your first day of teaching summer school?”
    “Pretty much like I expected... Kids didn’t want to be there and had absolutely no recollection of what they’d learned throughout the year so it should be an interesting summer. I’m hoping to get them outside so they don’t feel like they’re completely missing out, and since I’m their last class of the day, it should work out okay.”
    “Even if they don’t show it, I’m sure the kids would appreciate being in the sunshine.” Gabby took a sip before continuing. “Have you thought of any places? Cooks Landing has an interesting maritime history and it’s great for sunning.” She winked.
    “I’m sure the girls would be happy about that, but actually that would be a good place to start, and if Landy’s is still there, I could treat the class to ice cream to get them to loosen up.”
    “I wish I could be in your class, and yes, it’s still there.”
    I sat back on the couch and felt the breeze sweep in, carrying with it the smell of salty air. I examined the room and mentally checked off what needed to be done.
    New flooring.
    New paint.
    Remove popcorn ceilings.
    Touch up chair railings.
    “It’s not as bad as you think,” Gabby promised, catching my gaze. “Just take a deep breath and wait until the master arrives. Don’t put everything on your shoulders. I’m pretty handy with a paintbrush and so is Jason. We’d love to help in anyway we can.”
    I’d only met Jason, her fiancé, in passing when he was dropping off a load of flour at her bakery. From what I gathered there had been some delivery crisis and she was out of flour. For a bakery that was death. Jason went to the supplier in Seattle and drove it onto the ferry and over to Gabby’s to save the day.
    The moment I saw Jason arrive with the flour in hand, I knew Gabby was in love with Jason more than life itself, and what was even better was that I saw the same look in his eyes. It had to be something in the island air. I remember being in awe at how happy—genuinely happy—he was to help her out of the bind. In my last relationship, even asking my fiancé to drop off my cell phone on his way to work was cause for WWIII. So few people realized it was the little things in life that foretold how a couple would handle the big things.
    “I try not recruit people who I’ve only known for a number of weeks into horrendous tasks and you, my new friend, qualify.” I smiled.
    “First of all, it wouldn’t be horrendous. I actually enjoy DIY projects. But let’s not get into it now. I see the anxiety raising just by mentioning the infamous task list.” Gabby took another sip of tea and gazed out the window for a few seconds before bringing her attention back to me. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?”
    I shook my head and waited. I knew she would no matter my answer, and I was trying to be more open in my life, as hard as it might be.
    “I noticed the faint tan line on your engagement finger…” It was more of a statement than a question.
    I looked down at my hand and sure enough. Clear as day, I had a pale ring of skin circling my finger where the mammoth stone once sat. That sparkling gem was now sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic.
    Unexpected tears threatened to make an appearance, but I swallowed them down.
    I wasn’t sad.
    Angry? Yes.
    Bewildered? Yes.
    But sad? No.
    I wouldn’t let myself be sad any longer. My father’s death showed me what true sorrow was and mourning a defunct relationship no longer qualified. Don’t get me wrong, when I first found out about my fiancé, my world shattered. Every part of my body hurt with the realization that the life I imagined living with the man I thought I knew and loved was forever over. It was gone, and I was left to pick up the pieces that no longer fit together.
    But what saddened me more than the relationship ending was the way my