The Ohana Cottage (The Hawaiian Getaway Series Book 1) by Megan Reinking

Author:Megan Reinking [Reinking, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

15

MIA

I start my day by filling my mug all the way to the top with coffee, right on the brink of overflowing. I’m going to need all of the caffeine I can get. After the amazing day yesterday with John and Hazel, I found it difficult to fall asleep. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing, thinking about John and his struggles, and then to Julie and the challenges she must face being a single mom. I thought about Hazel, and wondered if she missed her dad at all, or if she had ever met him.

I have a tendency to be overly empathetic with the people I love, worrying and feeling the emotions right along with them. A side effect of being an emotional person, I suppose.

Eventually, I was able to quiet my thoughts and drift asleep, but I think I’m going to need caffeine reinforcements today. I make a plan to head to Julie’s after I get back from my run. I pull a loose tank top over my sports bra and running shorts, and lace-up my running shoes.

When I step onto the sand, I decide to skip the run and just walk. I don’t have the energy for a run today. I take a couple deep breaths to fill my lungs and exhale the air out as I leisurely make my way down the beach. After a few minutes, I feel a little bit more of a pep in my step. It feels good to move my body, and it’s almost as if the sun is recharging my soul.

The beach isn’t as busy this time of the day, and I only see a few people scattered on the sand. As I walk, I soak in the view—the stunning blue ocean jutting up to the cream-colored sand, the tall trees and greenery serving as the perfect accents for the landscape. There’s a hint of light pink smeared across the sky, leftover from what must have been a killer sunrise.

I try and keep my mind clear as I walk, acknowledging any thoughts that I have, but then letting them go and bringing my mind back to a clear state. I learned this at a meditation retreat Paige and I went to a few years ago—I find it very helpful with stress management.

Eventually I turn around, heading back towards the cottage. After a quick shower, I grab my laptop and head to town. When I arrive at the coffee shop, I’m greeted with a smile from Julie, who looks significantly less stressed than yesterday.

“Hey!” she shoots me a grateful look. “Thanks again for yesterday. You’re a lifesaver, Mia, seriously. What can I get you? Your usual? It’s on the house.”

“Oh, of course! It was my pleasure. Honestly, anytime!” I set my laptop bag on an empty table and have a seat. As I answer a few work emails, Julie walks over to deliver my drink.

“Here ya go.” She smiles at me, setting the drink on the table. Then she grabs a water for herself and takes a seat next to me.

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