The morning light filtered in through the curtains, casting a pattern of shapes on the surfaces of Becky's room. The crepuscular darkness had given way to the tentative embrace of dawn, but the absence of the usual bird trills outside her window signaled that the hour was much earlier than when she would normally wake. As she roused from her sleep, Becky felt a mixture of disorientation and curiosity. She pushed herself up on her elbows, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

The previous night had been restless, a series of fretful tosses and turns as she wrestled with her worries. With a heavy sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and let her feet sink into the comforting softness of the rug beneath. The events of yesterday replayed in her mind—the tense departure of her parents to the police station with Emily, the weight of concern that had lingered throughout the night.

Becky's parents' return near midnight had been a balm to her nerves. Their reassuring words had managed to temper the worry within, allowing her to eventually drift into an uneasy sleep. Her slumber had been punctuated by a series of unsettling dreams, each one a reflection of her unease.

In her slumber, visions of her return to California had played out like distorted projections. Friends, the university, the rhythm of daily life—it was all there, yet something was awry. A sense of displacement had loomed over everything, an underlying awareness that something crucial was absent. Her mind had been plagued by a persistent feeling—a recognition that a fragment of her being remained tethered to Sommerfield, as if a part of her soul had chosen to stay.

In these dreams, even the sun had lost its brilliance, casting pallid rays upon muted beaches. Her interactions with friends felt shallow, as if the bonds that once connected them had never been genuine. The dichotomy between her dream world and reality weighed heavily upon her, a sense of dissonance that she struggled to decipher.

Now fully awake, the echoes of the night's turmoil resonated within her. Becky's ears were unwittingly ensnared by the metronomic ticking of the grandfather clock in the lounge room. Each tick seemed to amplify the stress gnawing at her, and she clenched her fingers into the folds of her blanket in response. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she shifted her weight, her eyes drawn to the enticing view of the new day outside her window.

With a determined exhale, Becky swept aside her loose weave linen blanket as she stood up. She moved with a purpose, her steps carrying her past her parents' closed bedroom door and into the heart of the house—the kitchen. If sleep eluded her, she was determined to seize the quiet moments before dawn

The morning sun painted the world in soft hues as Becky settled herself at the dining table. She let her gaze wander through the wide back window, where the first tendrils of daylight began to weave their way through the trees in the grove. The tranquility of the scene provided a welcome respite from the whirlwind of thoughts that had consumed her the previous day. Today, her focus shifted to another matter—a matter that lay close to her heart.

Dan's image formed in her mind, and she couldn't help but think about the conversation she'd had with her father the night before. A sense of responsibility now weighed on her, a duty to approach Dan with a proposition that had the potential to alter the course of his future. As she rested her chin in her hand, she was determined to find the right words and the right approach to convince Dan to at least consider the possibility of working at her family's grocery store.

In the gentle morning light, the outlines of the trees and distant hills became more distinct, bathing the grove in a serene glow. Her gaze moved beyond the window's frame, lost in thought. She remembered the places she and Dan had spent time together before her departure—a cozy corner by the riverbank, a hidden glade where they'd shared their dreams. The memories brought a fond smile to her lips.

She recalled the afternoons they'd spent sharing their aspirations and secrets, Dan's voice carrying his dreams of claiming a piece of Sommerfield as his own. It was a dream rooted in his deep connection to the town, a dream he'd always held close to his heart. Becky couldn't help but feel a sense of resonance with his desires, and the memory of his wish to share this dream with someone important to him stirred something within her.

A brief flicker of imagination conjured visions of a life intertwined with Dan's. She imagined herself as the person he'd want to share his dreams with, the one who would stand by his side as he carved out his place in Sommerfield. But practicality swiftly reclaimed her thoughts, reminding her of the chasm that lay between their paths—the aspirations that diverged in directions impossible to reconcile.

The sound of a bird's song, the first whispers of nature's orchestra, pulled Becky from her reverie. The present moment reasserted itself, and she realized the preciousness of the time she had left in Sommerfield. The memory of her recent visit to the boutique bookshop filled her thoughts, a reminder of the unexpected joys that could come from venturing into the unknown.

Her heart ached for another day of exploration, another opportunity to discover the world around her. Millerton, a neighboring town that had piqued her curiosity, beckoned to her imagination. A visit seemed fitting—a chance to delve deep into the town's secrets, a chance to perhaps discover the places and people that now formed a part of Dan's life.

A purpose began to take shape in her mind—a purpose that went beyond the personal matter she needed to discuss with Dan. Determination ignited within her, and she reached for a pad of paper that hung from the refrigerator door. With pen in hand, she jotted down her travel plans and intentions, her note a mix of practicality and eagerness, punctuated with a postscript that promised her return by dinner with a gift from Millerton.

A quick change of clothes, a thorough brush of her teeth, and she was ready. The note, prominently placed on the kitchen table, communicated her intentions and whereabouts to her parents. With the front door clicking shut behind her, she started her father's pickup, its engine rumbling to life.

From inside the house, the gentle closing of the front door followed by the rumble of the pickup's engine had stirred Ted from his light slumber. The events of the previous night had also cast a restless shadow over his rest. The faint sounds which would normally bounce off him had been enough to awaken him today, his senses attuned to every creak and whisper in the house.

Beside him, Sally lay sound asleep, her features softened in the embrace of dreams. A fond smile touched Ted's lips as he gazed at Sally's peaceful expression. He knew how much she'd given of herself the night before, tending to Emily and offering her unwavering support. Ted had no intention of disturbing her well-deserved rest, not after the emotional night they'd shared.

Shifting onto his side, Ted spared a glance at the clock radio on the bedside table. The numbers told him that it was barely past five in the morning. He considered the possibility that it was the neighbors leaving their home that had roused him, but the distinct sound of his own pickup was unmistakable. Curiosity and a hint of concern spurred him to action.

Sliding himself off the side of the bed, Ted rose and padded over to the front window. Through the gap in the curtains, he caught a fleeting glimpse of his pickup as it disappeared from view. A sense of mild panic tightened his chest momentarily before he took a steadying breath. Car thieves were virtually unheard of in Sommerfield, a place where the sense of community was stronger than any lock or alarm.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Still, his recent experience with Emily's ordeal at the police station had reminded him of the potential for the unexpected. Putting on his shirt, Ted decided to investigate further. He left the bedroom, his steps light so as not to disturb Sally's slumber.

As he ambled down the corridor, Becky's room came into view. He could see the door ajar, peeking inside, he found her bed was empty. Relief washed over him as he realized that the car thief was probably his own daughter. A soft chuckle escaped him, Becky's penchant for early morning adventures not all that dissimilar from his own younger days.

Entering the kitchen, his eyes fell on the note that Becky had left on the table. The hastily scrawled handwriting and the choice of words brimming with excitement brought a genuine smile to his face. The postscript, promising a delightful dish from the deli where Dan worked, added to his amusement. The thought of indulging in a jar of the fancy caviar served at Maggie's luncheon immediately crossed his mind.

Ted couldn't help but reminisce as he read the note again. The memory of his own early morning drives, the feeling of freedom as he roamed the back roads before the sun had fully risen, flooded his mind. The long gravel road to the Berenson farm where Sally used to live, flanked by towering cedars, played out in his thoughts. He recalled Sally's shorter hair back then, practical for the farm work she undertook. Her eyes, the color of hardwood, had always held a sense of yearning when she awaited his arrival.

Ted's mind drifted to the embraces they'd shared in the cool morning air, the texture of Sally's flannel shirt beneath his fingers, the warmth of her lips against his. The memories wrapped around him like a comfortable shawl, bringing a sense of nostalgia that was both tender and invigorating.

With a soft sigh, Ted refocused on the present. Becky's note and the promise of adventure pulled him from his memories. The early hour seemed ripe for productivity, and he wasted no time in loading the coffee maker and flipping on the switch. The comforting hum of the machine was incredibly soothing and he felt a drowsiness creep over him. Making his way to the lounge, he settled into the couch, a computer tablet in hand.

With a few taps of his fingers, the tablet's screen came to life, revealing a highlight reel of baseball scores from the games played on the west coast overnight. The familiar voices of the excitable commentators and the rise and fall of the baseball crowd was like a lullaby. As the morning sun painted soft patterns on the walls, Ted's eyelids grew heavy, and he surrendered to the comforting embrace of slumber.

The thud of the tablet hitting the floor jolted Ted awake. It felt like he had slept for hours but the light in the room was basically unchanged, still gentle without the harsh definition of daytime. He looked up at some movement that caught his eye and he found himself met with Sally's amused gaze. Dressed in her nightgown, she stood before him full of energy and with a surprised look in her eyes.

"What's going on, Ted? Did you sleep here all night?" Sally asked.

Ted rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. "Must have dozed off looking at the baseball," he confessed. "What time is it? Am I late for the shop opening?"

Sally chuckled softly, her voice carrying a loving warmth. "Don't worry, it's only five thirty. I had such a nice sleep last night—I feel so well-rested." She let out a contented moan, her gaze softening. "I felt so relieved after coming back from the police station last night."

Ted winced slightly as he stretched his neck, feeling the stiffness from his unintended nap. Sally noticed and reached for a cushion, offering it to him with a warm smile. "Here, put this behind your neck."

"Thanks," Ted replied, arranging the cushion behind his neck with a grateful sigh. "I woke up half an hour ago and came out to check on the house. Then I took a seat on the couch where I must have fallen asleep watching the baseball." Ted explained, his voice still laced with sleepiness. "Becky left a note in the kitchen, it said she headed out to Millerton in my pickup. She'll bring something back for us for dinner from Dan's deli."

Sally took a seat beside Ted, her head finding a comfortable spot on his chest. "So early?" she mused. "Becky must have made plans to meet up with Dan."

Ted's fingers began to stroke Sally's hair, untangling the strands of graying brown and neatly tucking them behind her shoulders. "Maybe," Ted mused, his gaze softening as he remembered his conversation with Becky the night before. "I spoke to Becky last night. She came up with the idea of asking Dan to work at the grocery store. It might be a way for him to move back to Sommerfield, and it'd certainly lighten our load a bit."

Sally's eyes widened with interest, and she arched her neck to look up at Ted. "That's a really good idea," she said with genuine enthusiasm. "If Dan's looking for a way back, we should help him out as much as we can."

Ted nodded, a hint of concern in his expression. "But the thing is, we can't really afford to hire him full time."

Sally chuckled, her voice filled with endearing playfulness. "Ted, we're just swapping Dan for one of us. Technically, we aren't increasing our operating cost."

Ted grinned at her response. "Well, that was the idea. I was hoping you could have some more free time, to do the things you enjoy. You know, maybe write your great American novel."

Sally's hands reached upwards with a gleeful motion, placing them behind Ted's head and gently pulling him closer.

"Did Becky tell you about 'The Reefmaker'?" Sally asked, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

Ted chuckled. "I didn't realize I was married to Ms Secret Scribe. You should really give writing a shot again. It's pretty amazing how you've inspired Becky with your writing."

Sally laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Oh that was nothing. My story was just a greenhorn's scribblings."

"No I'm serious Sally. You really should give it a red hot go. I know you'd encourage me in the same way if I ever showed such promise in some endeavor."

"Competitive beer drinking, perhaps?" Sally joked, "Certainly not baseball, that's for sure."

Ted's smile grew wider, his eyes lighting up with a mischievous gleam. "You know, Becky shared with me some of her stories at university, I think I've passed to her my love of a good brewski."

Sally's laughter filled the room as she leaned upwards to kiss Ted.

"I hope Becky isn't partying too hard at university. I just want her to take care of herself." Sally said, her tone shifting from concern to softness, "But aren't you glad that you had a chance to talk to her one on one? The future doesn't feel as scary anymore, does it?"

Ted's eyes held a note of reflection, a sense of peace that had settled within him.

"You're right, Sally. Whatever Becky decides, we'll support her in chasing her dreams. And I'm not as worried about her living far away. If we can find someone to watch over the shop, we can go visit her wherever she ends up."

"We could even go on a road trip!" Sally's excitement bubbled over.

"You read my mind. How about driving somewhere warm, like Florida?" He grinned, his voice full of anticipation. "We could drive all the way to Key West."

With a joyful laugh, Sally practically jumped up and climbed onto Ted's lap. Her happiness was contagious, and Ted's heart swelled with affection.

"You know," Sally exclaimed, her voice bright, "I've never worn a bikini before. I'd love to go to a white, sandy beach and splash around in the surf. That would be absolute heaven." She grinned playfully. "I bet I would get a barn load of ideas for my writing on a road trip to the sea."

Ted wrapped his arms around Sally's waist, his hands brushing against the fabric of her nightgown.

"I've got a Rand McNally road atlas somewhere I've never had the chance to use." he mused, "I'm sure I can manage to drive us to Key West."

"No one uses paper maps anymore, old man. It's the age of GPS." Sally playfully countered.

Ted laughed good-naturedly. "Yeah, I know. But I'm good with directions. Probably don't even need the road atlas. How hard could it be? Just drive east until we hit the sea, then keep driving south until it gets hot."

Sally's hands guided Ted's down to her hips, her touch sending a thrill of anticipation coursing through him.

"Starting to feel hot yet?" she asked, her voice taking on a husky quality. "If not, you should keep going south. We've got an hour before we need to open shop and we've got the house all to ourselves."

Ted chuckled, his heart pounding with the closeness between them. "Who would've thought we'd be the ones sneaking around for a bit of intimacy?"

He pulled his hands away from Sally's hips and started undoing the front buttons of her nightgown. His eyes sparkled with eagerness as he gazed into Sally's affectionate eyes.

"I'm going to need a preview of that bikini body right now," Ted said with a playful grin.