Trisha couldn't help but feel that her visit had been far from effective so far, and if she had to rate it on a scale of one to ten, she felt like she was in the negative range. It was a stroke of incredibly bad luck.
She settled into the cushioned comfort of an overstuffed sofa, the aroma of dinner still lingering in the air. She couldn't have possibly anticipated that the dirty local man who had driven her into town would turn out to be Gwen's friend. The situation was turning out to be far more complicated than she had ever imagined.
As she sat there, contemplating her next move, Trisha couldn't help but wonder how to salvage what was left of her plan. Meanwhile, Dashiell had excused himself and gone home after the dinner, leaving her with a sense of unease and uncertainty about what was coming sooner or later.
She couldn't shake the feeling that her encounters with Dashiell were far from over. Given their shared connection to the Azure Bay project, it was likely that they would come across each other more often in the future.
The small town of Azure Bay held more surprises than she had initially expected, and dealing with the intricacies of the project alongside Dashiell was bound to be a challenge. She knew that their paths would intertwine again, and she needed to be prepared for whatever lay ahead as she pursued her goals in this secluded corner of the world.
Gwen's youthful face, despite her advanced age, continued to radiate enthusiasm as she peeked through the open doorway into the living room. "How about some hot chocolate while we chat?" She offered, aiming to create a cozy atmosphere for their conversation.
Trisha nodded appreciatively. "Sounds good. Is there anything I can help with?"
Gwen waved her hand casually. "No need, dear. I prepared it earlier today, so I'll just heat it up. You go ahead and make yourself comfortable." Her shoes made a soft clicking sound against the hardwood floors as the old lady made her way to the kitchen.
Trisha settled into the softness of the sofa, her mind racing with thoughts.
Comfortable? It was easier said than done.
She gnawed on her bottom lip, contemplating her decision to come to Azure Bay Island. It was initially meant for her banishment. But she finally found it a great relief as it turned up to be an escape—no, the present home.
It was a fresh start away from painful memories. Away from pain and suffering. Away from the pressures from her mother and her siblings. Speaking of which, had she already messed things up by alienating Dashiell? And come to think of it, what was his last name, anyway?
Trisha admired the high ceilings, intricate moldings, and vintage furnishings of the place. It felt like a true home, a stark contrast to the house she had grown up in—a mausoleum-like huge house designed to impress and intimidate.
She rose from the sofa, wandered over to a collection of displayed photographs, and picked up a frame crafted from barn wood. Amidst all the images, her eyes remained fixed on Dashiell's handsome face, grinning back at her.
A flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks as she recalled the awkward ride into town. Based on his manner at dinner, it was clear that Dashiell had no intention of calling a truce for their earlier snarky encounter. Not that she could blame him.
Dashiell's thick, dark hair and striking blue eyes made him appear like an entirely different person compared to the scruffy man who had driven her into town.
Trisha gently placed the photograph back in its spot and settled herself on the couch. It was quite a contrast to see a man in his thirties being friend with a woman in her late fifties. Wasn't it a bit odd?
From the kitchen, the sound of a cabinet door slamming and dishes rattling filled the air. A minute later, Gwen returned, bearing a tray with a teapot and two cups filled with steaming tea.
Trisha smiled warmly at her host. "I must say, Aunt Gwen, your house is absolutely charming and inviting. I love the cozy atmosphere."
Gwen placed the tray on the coffee table and passed Trisha a cup. "Thank you, sweetie. This place is a home to me. It's one of the oldest houses in Azure Bay."
Trisha examined the contents of her cup and took a deep inhale of the creamy mixture. "Is this white chocolate, Aunt Gwen?"
A smile lit up Gwen's face. "Indeed, it's my secret recipe."
Trisha closed her eyes for a moment as she took a sip, savoring the warm rich liquid. With each sip, her frazzled nerves seemed to unravel.
"Mmm, this is absolutely delicious."
"Thanks. Would you like to join me outside on the porch and enjoy this lovely evening? I believe the storm has finally passed," Gwen suggested as she picked up the tray and headed toward the door.
"Sure," Trisha agreed. They stepped onto the wraparound porch, and a delightful breeze brushed against her skin. She took a deep breath and couldn't help but audibly express her delight. "What's that wonderful scent?"
"It's the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine. You can smell it even more over here," Gwen explained as she moved around the corner of the house.
Gwen placed the tray on a nearby table, and together, they settled onto the cushioned porch swing, basking in the comfortable silence. The gentle rocking motion, along with the warmth of the hot chocolate, the fragrant night air, and the soft chorus of crickets, gradually lulled Trisha into a state of relaxation. She leaned her head back, feeling like she had found what she was looking for—what she needed: a home.
She lifted her head and took a sip of the chocolate mixture before turning to face the older woman. "I think I might have upset Dashiell during dinner," she confessed, searching for the right words. "He seemed..." Trisha paused, considering her options. Distant? Aloof? Downright icy?
Gwen waved her hand dismissively. "Don't fret about it. Dashiell is quite complex, the deep-thinker type. I've known him for a few years, but I still can't always figure out what's going on in his head."
Trisha couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the description. "The deep-thinker type? Really? He strikes me more as moody. Friendly one minute and sullen the next." She hesitated but then decided to voice her curiosity. "In any case, it seems like you two are very close."
Gwen nodded, her eyes filled with fond memories. "Yes, we go way back. Dashiell came to Azure Bay a few years ago to oversee a resort project here. He stayed for a while, got to know the place and its people, and then returned to the mainland. But we've kept in touch ever since. He's a dear friend."
Trisha was taken aback to learn that Dashiell wasn't a local resident of Azure Bay but, in fact, had come from the mainland, much like herself. This revelation made her even more curious about his background and the reasons for his presence in the remote island.
Trisha couldn't help but comment, "That's interesting. I assumed he was a local here. What brought him to Azure Bay in the first place, overseeing a resort project?"
Gwen leaned back in the porch swing, her eyes distant as she reminisced. "Well, honey, that's a story in itself. Dashiell had his reasons for coming here, and he shared some of them with me. He found something special in Azure Bay, something that kept drawing him back. But the details of his journey and what brought him here, that's a tale best heard from the man himself when he's ready to share it."
"I see," Trisha said thoughtfully. "He does seem like quite an enigmatic man. Is he generally a private person?"
"Dashiell can be quite private about certain aspects of his life, but when he decides to open up, he can be surprisingly candid. It's all about timing and trust with him. Perhaps in time, you'll have the chance to learn more about him." She then turned to Trisha with a mischievous look and asked blatantly, "Why are you interested about Dashiell, my dear? Are you simply curious about his background, or is there something more you'd like to know?"
Trisha felt her cheeks warm as she blushed slightly under Gwen's gaze. "Oh, it's not like that," she stammered. "I'm just curious about the people here in Azure Bay, that's all. Dashiell seems like an intriguing person, and I'm always interested in learning about the people I work with."
Gwen smiled knowingly and decided not to press further. "Of course, dear. Getting to know your colleagues is important." She then shifted the focus back to Trisha. "So, tell me more about your plans here in Azure Bay. How long do you intend to stay in this quiet corner of the world?"
Trisha sipped her hot chocolate, considering her response. "Well," she began, "I'm here to work on the Azure Bay project, and my initial plan is to stay for the duration of the project, which could be several months. I'm hoping to make a positive impact on the resort development and plunge myself in the unique charm of Azure Bay." She offered a warm smile, hoping that her time on the island would be productive and fulfilling.
Trisha continued, "Speaking of my stay, there's one small issue. The staff house where I was supposed to stay needs some repairs, and it might take a while. I hope it does not bother you, but I was wondering if I could temporarily stay here at your lovely home, Aunt Gwen, until the staff house is ready. I promise I won't be any trouble, and it would be a great help to me." She looked at Gwen with a hopeful expression, hoping her request would be met with understanding.
Gwen's eyes sparkled with kindness as she responded, "Oh, dear, you're more than welcome to stay here with me. It would be lovely to have some company. You're certainly not a trouble at all. We'll make you feel right at home until your accommodation is ready. You can consider this your temporary sanctuary in Azure Bay." Her generosity and warmth made Trisha feel truly welcomed and grateful for her decision to stay in this new home.