Heart across the tides

Kel Davids

Romance | Ongoing

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In the bustling seaside town of Bayshore, where ferries glide across the glimmering water and the scent of salt lingers in the air, two strangers find themselves on an unexpected journey. Clara Hayes, an ambitious architect chasing her big-city dreams, returns to her hometown to oversee a waterfront redevelopment project. Ethan Lawson, a reserved marine biologist, is fighting to protect the delicate ecosystem that Clara's project threatens to disturb. Their worlds collide when fate-and a ferry schedule-forces them into a shared commute across the harbor. What starts as a clash of ideals quickly evolves into an undeniable connection. As the tides of love rise, Clara and Ethan must navigate their differences, find common ground, and decide if they're willing to risk it all for the chance at a future together.

Fantasy Attractive Friends to love Sweet Noble Romance Workplace

Chapter 14 The breaking point

01-14 17:05

Chapter 1 A return to Bayshore

The ferry's horn blared, a low, mournful note that echoed across the harbor and rippled through Clara Hayes' chest. She stood on the deck, gripping the cold metal railing, her leather portfolio clutched tightly in her other hand. The salty air, crisp and damp, carried with it the faint aroma of seaweed and nostalgia. Bayshore, her childhood home, lay sprawled ahead, the quaint seaside town glowing under the soft morning sunlight. The sight was picturesque, almost idyllic, but Clara's stomach churned with unease.

The ferry rocked gently, its engines humming as it cut through the glimmering waves. Clara's eyes darted to the waterfront-a collection of colorful shingled buildings, weathered piers, and bobbing fishing boats. The centerpiece of the harbor, an aging wooden pier long past its prime, was the reason for her return. Her firm's project, a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, would transform it into a modern destination with sleek shops, trendy restaurants, and a sprawling promenade.

Clara pulled her wool coat tighter against the brisk breeze. She'd been avoiding this moment for months. When the assignment first landed on her desk, she'd tried to trade it with a colleague. Bayshore was a place she'd left behind-an anchor she had no intention of revisiting. But the project was too high-profile to refuse, and her boss had made it clear: if she wanted to climb the ladder at Preston & Mills, this was her chance.

"Heading to the harbor?" a voice broke through her thoughts.

Clara turned to see an older man standing a few feet away, a knit cap pulled low over his silver hair. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of a worn peacoat, and his weathered face bore the deep lines of someone who had spent a lifetime at sea.

"Something like that," Clara replied, forcing a polite smile.

The man nodded, his gaze drifting toward the shoreline. "Used to fish off that old pier when I was a boy. Shame they're tearing it down."

Her smile faltered. She wasn't ready to navigate the town's opinions, let alone justify the project to strangers. Instead, she glanced at her watch, hoping the conversation would end naturally.

The man seemed to sense her reluctance and gave her a small wave before turning away. Clara let out a slow breath and looked back at the horizon. Bayshore was close enough now that she could make out the faint lettering of a faded sign hanging from the pier: *Bayview Market*. The familiar sight tugged at her chest, stirring a mixture of guilt and longing.

The ferry docked with a soft thud, and the crew began to lower the ramp. Clara stepped back, allowing a group of tourists with cameras and oversized jackets to disembark first. She waited until the crowd thinned, her heels clicking against the deck as she made her way down to solid ground.

The town was just as she remembered-narrow cobblestone streets lined with mom-and-pop shops, ivy creeping up the walls of brick buildings, and locals chatting by the flower stalls at the market square. Clara inhaled deeply, letting the scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee momentarily calm her nerves.

Her destination wasn't far. The town's planning office was located in a historic building near the harbor, a place she used to visit with her father when she was young. He'd been a contractor, always poring over blueprints and muttering about measurements. Clara had inherited his meticulous nature, though not his love for small-town life.

When she reached the office, she paused to straighten her coat and smooth the flyaways from her dark hair. The heavy wooden door creaked as she pushed it open, and the warmth of the interior wrapped around her.

"Ms. Hayes, I presume?"

A sharp voice drew her attention to the reception desk, where a woman in her sixties sat typing on a vintage computer. Her gray hair was neatly pinned, and her glasses perched at the edge of her nose.

"Yes," Clara replied, stepping forward. "I'm here to meet with the planning committee."

The woman gave a curt nod and gestured toward a hallway. "Second door on the left. They're expecting you."

Clara muttered a quick thanks and headed down the hall. Her heels echoed against the polished wooden floors, a reminder of her city roots in a place where sneakers and boots were the norm.

Inside the meeting room, the committee members were seated around a long table covered in documents and maps. The tension was palpable the moment she walked in. A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair stood and extended his hand.

"Ms. Hayes, welcome. I'm Mayor Lucas Reid."

Clara shook his hand, her professional smile firmly in place. "Thank you for having me. I'm looking forward to collaborating on this project."

The mayor's expression remained neutral. "I hope so. There's been some... pushback from the community about the redevelopment plans."

Clara's stomach tightened. "I'm aware. I'll do my best to address any concerns."

Before the mayor could respond, the door swung open, and a man walked in, his strides purposeful and his expression stormy. He was tall, with broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin that hinted at a life spent outdoors. His brown hair was tousled, and his piercing green eyes locked onto Clara with an intensity that made her falter.

"I apologize for being late," he said, though his tone carried no hint of regret. "Ethan Lawson."

Clara blinked, caught off guard by his abrupt entrance. "Clara Hayes," she managed, extending her hand.

Ethan ignored it and sat down, his gaze flicking to the maps on the table. "I hope we're discussing the environmental impact of this so-called redevelopment."

The mayor cleared his throat. "Ethan is a marine biologist and one of our local environmental advocates."

Clara felt her temper flare but kept her voice steady. "The project has been designed with sustainability in mind. I'm happy to discuss specifics, but I assure you we're following all regulations."

Ethan's lips twitched in a humorless smile. "Regulations aren't always enough, Ms. Hayes. This harbor is home to fragile ecosystems that can't be replaced once they're destroyed."

The room grew uncomfortably quiet. Clara straightened her posture, refusing to be intimidated. "I appreciate your passion, Mr. Lawson. Perhaps we can schedule a separate meeting to address your concerns."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to talk."

The mayor stepped in, his voice firm. "Let's focus on today's agenda. Clara, why don't you walk us through your proposal?"

Clara nodded and opened her portfolio, spreading out a series of polished renderings and blueprints. She launched into her presentation, detailing the design features and the economic benefits of the redevelopment. Her words were smooth, practiced, but she couldn't ignore the weight of Ethan's gaze, sharp and skeptical.

When she finished, the room was silent for a moment before the mayor offered a polite nod. "Thank you, Ms. Hayes. We'll review this further and follow up."

Clara gathered her materials and left the meeting room, her heart pounding. She had expected resistance, but not this level of hostility. Outside, the cool air hit her like a splash of water, and she took a deep breath.

Ethan was waiting near the building's entrance, his hands in his pockets. He didn't say anything at first, just watched her with that same intense stare.

"You're not going to win this easily," he said finally.

Clara lifted her chin, her voice calm but resolute. "I don't back down from a challenge, Mr. Lawson."

Ethan's lips quirked into a faint smirk, and he stepped aside to let her pass. "We'll see about that."

Clara walked away, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, her mind already spinning with strategies. She hadn't come back to Bayshore to lose. But something about Ethan Lawson made her realize this battle would be more personal than she'd anticipated.