Heart across the tides

een to see an unfamiliar number flashing. Her first instinct was to ignore it, but som

nswered briskly, rea

and clipped. "I'm on the Bayshore Redevelopment Committee. I assum

"I was just reviewing t

Marina said. "The forum will be.

t she had expected-a thinly veiled warning that the town would come armed with questions and r

t reports, and every piece of feedback Jillian had handed her. She wanted to be ready for anything, but no matter ho

e without her camera or notebook. She needed to see the town without

ll of saltwater mixed with fresh bread and roasted coffee, a heady combination that made her stomach growl. Cla

n with an older man. His expression was animated, his hands gesturing as he spoke. E

returned the gesture, unsure whether to approach. Before she could deci

gain," he said

outside my office," Clara replied. "And mayb

and, empty except for a single ap

" she said with

g her. "Selective. Tha

ugh the crowd. Ethan stopped at a stall se

local, from the wildflower

andwritten in neat cursive. "Thank

out understanding what makes this place unique. The redevelopment isn't just

lara said softly

green eyes locking onto hers. "Sho

turned to her office, she had a plan forming in her mind. If she wanted the

e redevelopment committee. Her proposal was bold, and she knew it

dressed in a tailored navy suit and carrying a stack of revised plans. The ro

ith his arms crossed. He didn't acknowledge her,

open the forum, the murmurs died down. Clara wait

gesturing for her to spe

she approached the podium. She scanned the crowd, taking i

e we dive into the specifics of the redevelopment plan, I want to address something important. I've spent the past few

, whose expression r

culture, its connection to the harbor-it's all worth preserving

a flipped to the first page of her revised present

spaces and incorporating a marine conservation center to protect the harbor's ecosystem. Additionally, I'm prop

ious optimism, while others remained skeptical. Clara answered each question thoug

xhaustion. She lingered in the hall, gathering her mat

her, his expres

. unexpecte

compliment," Clara re

there was a hint of a sm

eath, waiting for

," he said finally. "But this wa

st with the town, but with Ethan Lawson. And th