Page 37 of Always, For Love
She looked over to see that Miles’s side of the bed was empty.
He must have already gone to work, she thought.
"Come on, Ariel, you've got things to do," she whispered to herself, willing her body to cooperate. With a deep sigh, she forced herself to stand and steadied herself against the edge of the dresser. Today was not the day for self-pity or wallowing in her hangover – there were things to do before the wedding, and time was running out.
Despite the fog that clouded her mind, Ariel knew she couldn't afford to waste any more time. She needed to face the day, no matter how daunting it might be. She couldn't let this hangover stand in the way of what needed to be done. The cold air bit at her skin, but she ignored the chill as she stumbled toward the bathroom. The tiles felt icy beneath her feet, sending shivers up her spine, but she welcomed the sensation – anything to help clear the fog in her mind.
“You can do this," she whispered to her reflection in the mirror, her voice barely audible. Grimacing at the sight of her disheveled appearance, she turned on the faucet, letting the water run until it reached a steaming temperature.
Cupping her hands beneath the stream, she collected a handful of water and splashed it onto her face. The shock of the hot liquid jolted her awake, making her gasp for breath. As droplets ran down her cheeks, she felt a small sense of clarity return.
With her face still damp from the water, Ariel hurriedly rifled through her wardrobe, searching for something warm to wear. Pulling out a thick, cream-colored cable knit sweater, she quickly slipped it on, relishing the way it enveloped her in warmth. Next, she grabbed a pair of dark jeans and layered them with woolen leggings to combat the biting Maine chill. As she laced up her sturdy leather boots, she glanced outside the window and saw flurries of snow dancing through the air. The snow had been light but steady for the past week. She hoped it wouldn't get heavier before the wedding.
Ariel stepped gingerly down the stairs cradling her throbbing head with one hand as she clutched the banister with the other. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Ariel braced herself for the onslaught of B&B guests who would be clamoring for breakfast. To her surprise, the dining room was filled with the contented murmurs of well-fed patrons sipping their coffee and perusing the morning newspaper. A pleasant aroma wafted in from the kitchen, where she discovered Miles and Darcy filling the last of the chafing dishes.
"Good morning," Miles said softly, eyeing her with a knowing grin. "I hope we didn't startle you."
"Morning," Ariel mumbled, rubbing her temples. "What are you doing here? I thought I'd have to handle breakfast service. I felt bad that Darcy might have started by himself."
"Consider it our gift to you," Darcy chimed in, his rocker-style tattoos dancing along his arms as he expertly arranged slices of fruit on a plate. "We figured you could use a break after yesterday."
Ariel nodded gratefully, still trying to process the unexpected reprieve. Turning to Miles, she asked, "But shouldn't you be at work? What about your boat-building client?"
Miles shrugged, his eyes warm with affection. "I pushed back the deadline and took a day off. I decided no more work until after the wedding and honeymoon. You're important to me, Ariel."
A rush of emotion swelled in Ariel's chest, leaving her breathless as she absorbed his simple yet profound declaration. How had she been so fortunate to find a man who not only understood her need for independence but also provided unwavering support?
"Thank you," she whispered, reaching out to squeeze his calloused hand. "Both of you."
As they exchanged smiles, Ariel realized that beyond the love she shared with Miles, she had also found a family in this small coastal town. Darcy's loyalty and friendship had become an anchor in her life, while the B&B and its guests offered her a sense of purpose she had longed for since leaving Endless Harbor all those years ago.
Despite the lingering tension with her father and the uncertainty surrounding Dale's situation, Ariel allowed herself to bask in this rare moment of contentment.
"I've got the cold appetizers for the reception ready for you to taste-test," Darcy said. “They’re in the big fridge in the cellar.”
"Thanks, Darcy."
Darcy grinned, his tattooed arms crossed over his chest. "No problem, boss lady. Jill helped me last night with them after dinner service. But I've got to take off for a bit. I have an appointment to get fitted for a suit."
Ariel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh?"
"Jill finally asked me to be her plus-one at your wedding," Darcy replied, his cheeks flushed with excitement. "She's had the RSVP since day one but needed some time to build up the courage to ask me."
Ariel felt a warm surge of happiness for her friend and sous chef. "That's wonderful news, Darcy! I'm so happy for both of you."
"Thanks, Ariel. I'll be back later this afternoon." With a final wave, Darcy left the kitchen, leaving Ariel alone with Miles.
As Ariel took a seat at the kitchen island, she noticed a plate covered with a silver dome waiting for her. She looked at Miles quizzically as he walked over with a proud smile.
"Since Darcy and I took care of breakfast service, I thought I'd also make something special just for you," he explained, lifting the dome with a flourish.
Before her lay a magnificent concoction: thick slices of cinnamon-sugar coated French toast smothered in maple syrup, layered with salted ham and fried egg, sandwich style. The aroma wafted up to her, a blend of sweet, buttery goodness that made her mouth water.
"Wow," she breathed, taking in the decadent feast. "What is this?"
Miles chuckled. "I call it Land Legs. It's my go-to meal after a long day on the sea. Darcy laughed when I told him about it, but I swear by this dish. I think it will work wonders on your hangover, along with those." He pointed to two aspirin sitting at the edge of the plate.
Ariel couldn't help but laugh, too, enchanted by the sheer indulgence of the breakfast. "It looks incredible, Miles."