The loudspeaker crackled to life as the boat slowed, scaring her half to death. Having been so focused on her internal debate, Mia jumped at the sound and clutched her chest. “Please return to your vehicles, folks. Docking in five minutes. We don’t want to hold up any of our happy holiday makers. Enjoy your time on Hope Island and on behalf of Hope Island Ferry Company, I want to thank you for travelling with us today.”
She watched cheerful people hurry to their cars with smiles on their faces as they prepared to disembark.
She made her way to her car, absorbing the buzz of excitement building among the other passengers but dismayed that she couldn’t feel the same level of joy at being here. It was a tiny island with very little to do and if the Trip Advisor reviews were to be believed, it had sketchy internet service dependent on the weather. Like that was going to be helpful to keep an eye on her business.
It’d been so long since she’d had a proper holiday, Mia didn’t know if she was going to be able to muster up the will to enjoy it. Not with her job on the line.
She slid into her seat and pulled on her seatbelt, pushing the buckle in with more force than necessary. The ferry slowed as it came around the point of the harbor. Its hull shuddered as the engines slowed and it eased into the wharf giving her a better view of the small harbor town.
Mia looked past the ferry building. The winding road above the harbor caught her eye and she picked out a few homes with uninterrupted views over the ocean, views that would be simply stunning. Maybe jogging up that steep road would burn off some of her stored up frustration.
The ferry bumped into the wharf and the ramp creaked as they lowered it down. Mia slowly followed the other cars off the ferry and pulled over at the information center to find directions to where she was staying, annoyed that she hadn’t already printed off directions before she’d left home. She parked and wandered over to the small shop. A bell chimed as she opened the door.
A cheery voice greeted her. “Good afternoon. Welcome to Hope Island.”
Mia glanced at the super cheerful woman behind the counter whose bottle-blonde hair stuck out in all directions, styled with enough gel to be dangerous. Her colorful patchwork overalls screamed against the neon tie-dyed T-shirt she wore underneath. Mia had arrived at Hippie Central. “Hello and thank you.”
“Looking for something to entertain yourself? I can suggest plenty or you can help yourself to any of the brochures in this display. If you want to send a postcard to loved ones showing how gorgeous our island is, we have plenty to choose from here. Lots to keep you busy and active unless you’re looking to relax.”
Relaxing wasn’t on her agenda unless she counted sitting with her feet up on a lounger while she searched for new products. “Thank you, but I’m looking for Matt Hope’s bed and breakfast. I believe it’s on Point Piper Road. I wondered if you could give me directions.”
“It is, I can, and you can see it from here.” The woman swiveled in her chair and pointed out the window behind her. “Follow the road behind this building up the hill. See that fabulous gray and white house overlooking the harbor?”
“The Victorian one with the turret room?”
“Yep. That’s Matt’s place. Hope you enjoy your stay and if you’re looking for activities or places of interest, come back and see me. Name’s Olive. I’ll point you in the right direction.”
“Thanks, Olive. Much appreciated.”
“Plenty to do on the island if you put your mind to it. Of course, lots of city folk don’t go for the walking paths and the quiet bush tracks, but a fit young lady like you would probably enjoy that kind of thing. I have maps of all the walking paths and the beaches too. Save you getting lost and missing anything of interest.”
“I’ll be sure to come back and see you once I get settled.” Mia thanked her again, wandered back out to her car, and took the time to look around the harbor. Pretty hanging baskets graced the veranda of the shops facing the water. Spring flowers dripped over their edges with a riot of color in shades of bright red and pink she never would’ve put together herself but seemed to work here in this setting.
Next door, a giant red and white barber’s pole stood beside a display of hand-made sweets, and close by, she noticed a bakery with a delightful arrangement of cakes in the window. It was getting late in the day so she would explore the village more tomorrow. With a resigned sigh, she got back into her car and followed the road to the pretty house that would be her prison for the next four weeks.
Mia followed a sign to the parking lot at the back of the Victorian and pulled up near a clipped hedge of Japanese Boxwood. When she got out of the car, her shoes crunched down on crushed shells.
She heard a door open and then bang shut, followed by footsteps. “Hi there.”
Mia looked up and faltered. She was expecting an elderly man with a cable sweater and a cat to meet her, not a handsome young guy with a neatly trimmed beard and a man bun. His smile was enough to melt her resolve to go home. There was something warm and inviting in the way he looked at her. As if she was the most important guest he’d had in ages and her presence here made his day.
She was so out of touch if this was the new kind of bed and breakfast owner. She stopped staring and held out her hand. “Hi. I’m
