Chapter 1 Whispers By The Lake
Chapter 1
I stood at the water's edge, my fingers tracing the well-worn pages of Love’s Serenade, my favorite romance novel. Lost in daydreams, for a moment, I almost believed I had a boyfriend to share this sunset with—until the splash of a rock across the way brought me back to the present.
A couple strolled hand in hand, their laughter carrying on the breeze. I smiled, but a pang of loneliness tugged at my heart. I didn't have a boyfriend. Not anymore.
A sigh escaped my lips as reality settled in. I needed to get home. Miss Bennett, my ever-hungry cat, was likely waiting for her dinner. And I had some finishing touches to finish for the summer read-a-thon at the library.
As I made my way home, I replayed the evening's scene in my mind. I love Whispering Pines Lake, and there is nothing as romantic as walking around its shores with someone special. But that wasn’t my life anymore.
“You’re a single woman now Izzy. Time to put those ideas out of your head.” And just like that, I put the images out of my mind.
When I unlocked my front door, Miss Bennett greeted me with a loud meow and brushed against my leg as she looked toward her food bowl. I fed Miss Bennett as my thoughts briefly drifting to Lucas, my ex-boyfriend. “It's for the best," I whispered to myself, trying to convince my heart. But the truth was, I was a hopeless romantic.
With a sigh, I collapsed onto my couch and looked through the papers for the read-a-thon. When everything was in order, I closed my eyes and drifted off into a restless slumber, my dreams filled with images of that happy couple by the lake.
Morning came too soon when my alarm began playing All Too Well, by Taylor Swift and jolted me awake. I grabbed coffee, a bagel, and the papers for the opening of the read-a-thon. At the last minute, I grabbed Love’s Serenade and tossed it into my bag before locking the door and hurrying up the street to the library.
It was a beautiful morning. I could just tell it was going to be a great day.