Heart across the tides

her leather portfolio clutched tightly in her other hand. The salty air, crisp and damp, carried with it the faint aroma of seaweed and nostalgia. Bayshore, her childhood h

dings, weathered piers, and bobbing fishing boats. The centerpiece of the harbor, an aging wooden pier long past its prime, was the reason for her return. Her fi

desk, she'd tried to trade it with a colleague. Bayshore was a place she'd left behind-an anchor she had no intention of revisiting. But the pr

or?" a voice broke t

er his silver hair. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of a worn peacoat, and

," Clara replied, fo

horeline. "Used to fish off that old pier when

ions, let alone justify the project to strangers. Instead, she g

ooked back at the horizon. Bayshore was close enough now that she could make out the faint lettering of a faded sign ha

wing a group of tourists with cameras and oversized jackets to disembark first. She waited until

ping up the walls of brick buildings, and locals chatting by the flower stalls at the market square.

e she used to visit with her father when she was young. He'd been a contractor, always poring over blueprints and

oth the flyaways from her dark hair. The heavy wooden door creaked as

es, I pr

an in her sixties sat typing on a vintage computer. Her gray hair w

g forward. "I'm here to meet

red toward a hallway. "Second door

ls echoed against the polished wooden floors, a reminder of her

ble covered in documents and maps. The tension was palpable the moment she

lcome. I'm May

rmly in place. "Thank you for having me. I'm lo

hope so. There's been some... pushback from

"I'm aware. I'll do my best

ssion stormy. He was tall, with broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin that hinted at a life spent outdoors. His

said, though his tone carried n

his abrupt entrance. "Clara Hayes

he maps on the table. "I hope we're discussing the en

n is a marine biologist and one of

t has been designed with sustainability in mind. I'm happy to disc

n't always enough, Ms. Hayes. This harbor is home to fragile

efusing to be intimidated. "I appreciate your passion, Mr. Lawson. P

arms crossed. "I'm sure we'll have

t's focus on today's agenda. Clara, why d

unched into her presentation, detailing the design features and the economic benefits of the redevelopment.

before the mayor offered a polite nod. "Thank you, M

g. She had expected resistance, but not this level of hostility. Outside,

hands in his pockets. He didn't say anything at fi

to win this easily

alm but resolute. "I don't back do

smirk, and he stepped aside to let

ning with strategies. She hadn't come back to Bayshore to lose. But something about E