4

There was a gentle knock at the door. A moment later a second knock followed when Ashlyn did not answer. Brushing any evidence from her cheeks, she opened the door and stepped around Kass to move towards the front of the building.

"Ashlyn, I'm sorry. I couldn't just let her speak to you like that." Kass followed and caught her arm. "Please, Ash." She was desperate for her to understand, and she did, but that didn't mean that she approved.

You didn't have to speak to her like that. Ashlyn's disapproval was apparent in the weighted movements of her hands as she turned to her friend. She had always admired the passion and fire that burned beneath the bronzed glow of Kass' frame, but sometimes she went too far, and Ashlyn worried if she would ever realize that herself.

"I'm not going to stand by and pretend like her words don't hurt Ash. They do, for me and you." Kass' eyes were pleading. She knew how her best friend felt, and it deeply pained her that she couldn't take all of that away.

I know, and I love you for it. But you can't protect me from everyone. This is my world now, and not everyone is going to understand me. And you can't make them.

Kass pulled her into a tight hug, and Ashlyn gave in, smiling fondly, as she relaxed at the touch. Not a day passed by that Ashlyn didn't thank God for her stubborn, passionate, protective best friend.

The rest of the day passed without any further complications. People remained pleasant as they returned her smile and stopped to converse with her for a moment while they waited for their orders. It was almost as though the lunchtime incident had never occurred.

"Do you mind locking up tonight, hun?" Kass asked at six o'clock as she finished removing the leftover cabinet food. "I've got the new tenant arriving tonight, and I need to get the apartment upstairs straightened out," Kass explained.

For the first time that day Ashlyn noticed how weary and stressed out she looked, and she felt like a terrible friend for not having seen it sooner. She hoped that things would be easier for Kass when the new tenant settled.

Ashlyn nodded her consent from across the room as she finished bringing in the last of the outdoor furniture.

The appearance of the café at the end of the day was one of her favorite parts of the job. With the setting sun came a sky of amber and vermillion as it casts its glow through the room, its warmth seeping into the timber furnishings. An excuse to stay around just a little longer was always welcome.

When everything was packed up for the night, and Kass had excused herself to go upstairs, Ashlyn gathered her bag and coat and headed out on to the street, locking the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, she filled her lungs with the crisp salty air and smiled. She never tired of doing that. Slipping her earbuds in and pressing play she began the walk home to her cottage on the hill, reveling in the music as it washed over her.

The vibrant colors of all the houses nestled on the hills radiated warmth and comfort where they sat before the setting sun. The breeze as it brushed against her skin, sang a melody of love and companionship, carried down from the homes of Glassmont.

As she glanced down to change the song on her phone, Ashlyn did not notice that someone had stepped into her path. Taking another step, she felt a jolt, and something scrunch, as her body collided with another. Reaching out to steady them she saw a large map of Glassmont and a crop of dark hair that reminded her of chestnuts roasting over the fire before the map was gone, and he stood before her.

"Oh no. I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," he apologized, tucking the map under his arm. As Ashlyn looked into deep-set eyes as rich as espresso, she knew that she had not seen him around before.

It's okay, she answered with a hesitant smile as she gestured to the headphones that had distracted her. She felt her stomach twist with unease as she waited for their response to her. She wasn't sure her nerves could handle much more beyond two new people in one day.

His answering smile was warm and encouraging as he unfolded the map and held it out to her.

"Could you, uh, show me how to find the Clear Water offices? I think I'm lost." He chuckled.

Glancing at the map her smile grew more distinct as she took the map in her hands and turned it correct way up. His laugh was loud as it shook his solid frame.

"I guess you really can fail boy scouts," he joked, running his hand along the five o'clock shadow around his jaw and behind his neck, a slight flush of embarrassment pooling in his cheeks. Ashlyn grinned as she felt herself relaxing a little more around him and his infectious laugh. She took a pen from her bag and began writing directions on the map, including the key landmarks to keep an eye out for on his journey. He wasn't far. Maybe another ten-minute walk at most. When she had finished, she returned the map to him and put away the pen.

Taking the map, he smiled his appreciation. Thank you, he signed. She nodded in response, appreciating the gesture. She wished more new people would be like him. Thinking they had finished, she went to put her earbuds back in when he interrupted.

"I'm Derek by the way. Derek Moreno."

I'm Ashlyn.

"Alan?" he asked, his brow raised, uncertain of his interpreting skills. "That's a, uh, cool name."

Her eyes laughed as she shook her head.

"Sorry, my sign skills are a little rusty." Chuckling, he rubbed the back of his neck.

Biting her lip in thought, Ashlyn took out her pen and held her hand out to him, palm up, an offering for him to do the same. He placed his hand in hers, his skin rough against hers, and smiled at the ticklish sensation as she wrote on his palm.

"Ashlyn," he read, pulling his hand back to admire the cursive script. She nodded. "It is lovely to meet you Ashlyn, and thank you for all your help." He grinned holding up the map in his other hand. Her smile was polite as she shrugged. It was no trouble for her when others were this respectful and relaxed with her.

With a wave goodbye, Derek bid her farewell and continued towards the Clear Water office.

Ashlyn put her earbuds back in and pressed play as she continued up the path, absently kicking a small rock as she walked. As one song finished, and 'Burn the Ships' came on, she faltered as the image of an explosion of light engulfing a ship came to mind. Kicking the rock, a little harder than she'd expected, a metallic chime rang out as the rock hit the base of a signpost before bouncing off the sidewalk. Flinching at the sound, Ashlyn stopped the music and removed the earbuds.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up and read: Glassmont Lookout. 15 minutes.

She took the next right and made her way down the dirt path lined with wildflowers of every color, the memories of her time spent here enveloping her in a warm and familiar hug. And there, at the edge of the path, looking out over all Glassmont and the ocean beyond, was a pair of familiar binoculars.