Sweet Forgiveness (Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 10) by Jean Oram

Author:Jean Oram [Oram, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781928198574
Publisher: Oram Productions
Published: 2018-05-27T17:00:00+00:00

Ashton leaned back against the log resting in the sand, a piece of driftwood polished by the ocean waves. After paddleboarding, Zoe had led him past the resort fire pit, where guests were swapping tales and roasting marshmallows. They’d kept walking with their pilfered supplies and blanket, until they were at what amounted to a private beach, secluded and quiet, and beautifully tranquil as the sun dipped below the horizon.

They’d built a fire together, using smaller pieces of driftwood that had collected along the edge of the grassy dunes during a storm.

“Want this one?” Ashton asked, angling the roasting stick with a toasted marshmallow in Zoe’s direction. She had settled into the sand beside him, not quite touching, but close enough that he could feel her warmth and the brush of her shirtsleeve whenever she moved.

She plucked the browned marshmallow off the stick and jammed it between two cookies and a square of chocolate, making a sandwich. She didn’t wait for the chocolate to melt before taking a bite.

“Mmm,” she said. “My favorite.”

Ashton reached for another marshmallow and began toasting it for himself.

Between battling the waves on the paddleboard and working hard in Zoe’s yard, he was comfortably tired. Add in the emotional drain of reiterating part of his Maliki and Quentin story and he was bordering on exhausted. It didn’t help that the crackling fire, empty beach and relaxing sound of the waves, as well as Zoe’s warmth beside him, were soothing.

He finished making his last s’more and dug a little deeper into the sand so he could use the log for a pillow, relaxing as he savored his snack.

The careful wall Zoe had maintained when he’d first arrived had been steadily dissolving and they were coming close to their old pattern of friendship. Things were still strained and awkward at times, but he had hope for tomorrow, as well as hope that Zoe would be there with him.

He licked melted marshmallow off his fingers and brushed the crumbs from his shirt. Zoe imitated his pose in the sand, but curled onto her side so she faced him. Ashton twisted to inhale the scent of her hair again.

“You smell like sunshine, the ocean and the sweetness of toasted sugar.”

“It’s a special scent only available in Indigo Bay.” She wiped at something stuck to his chin. “What are you going to do after the maternity leave is done?”

“I suppose it depends where things are by then. I missed the community and kids when I was away. It’s different in the city.”

The firelight was dancing, making her eyes gleam as she glanced up at him.

“I was thinking,” he added, “that maybe I’d try and find something more permanent than the cottage.” Stay awhile. A long while.

Zoe was silent, but he didn’t take it as something to fear, as they’d always given each other time to consider things, even mid-conversation.

“I still don’t understand why you left without telling me everything,” she said.

Ashton’s heart rate increased, and he fought the instinct to clam up.

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