Magic at the Beach

Morning had come. Bailey felt the coolness of the water splashing up on her. It felt good to walk, she was a little stiff after having fallen asleep on the beach.

Memories of the past night began replaying in her mind once more.  The memories that had made her jump on her horse, not even bothering to change her clothes, and ride like the wind to the beach. The beach was her happy place, where she could find peace.

Bailey’s heart wasn’t beating so erratic anymore and she was able to breathe. Last night as she rode Starlight, she felt like she was gasping for air. How could it have happened? One minute she was having a fine evening dining at a upscale restaurant and laughing with her friends. The next minute she was driving home as fast as she could, to get Starlight and gallop away!

It had been her best friend’s rehearsal dinner for her wedding. Bailey was Laura’s Maid of Honor. They had grown up together and dreamed about the day they each would find their special someone and live happily ever after! Laura had found her special someone first and that was fine with Bailey, she couldn’t be more ecstatic for her friend.

They had been counting down the days to the wedding together. Bailey had planned special fun things for them to do together as the days got closer and they were having a blast. All was going so well. Bailey was loving the crab cakes and lobster, and then … the unexpected guest had arrived!

Bailey gasped as the door to their private room opened and he stood there looking for her. She grabbed Laura’s arm beside her and said, “you didn’t!”

“Bailey, let me explain, you refused to see him, he only wants to…”

Bailey didn’t wait to hear anymore, she couldn’t! How could Laura have done this! She jumped out of her seat and ran right past him, ignoring his yells.

She cranked up the radio in her car, letting the music match the screaming in her heart. Jeremy’s face was vivid in her head, his look of disappointment as she ran right past him. She had arrived home, ran to the barn and jumped on Starlight. Starlight knew where to go, they had galloped to the beach many times.

At the beach she continued to ride Starlight, though at a slower pace, breathing in the salt air and trying to exhale her pain and frustration. Finally after awhile she grew sleepy and laid down on the sand, with Starlight standing guard.

Now as she walked questions were coming to her mind again. How could he be so bold as to show up? Didn’t he know she was done, that she didn’t want to talk to him again, she didn’t want to hear his explanation! Did he really think that any explanation would soothe her hurting heart. Oh how she had loved him!

Memories of them together were coming back. The memories she had tried so hard to suppress, that she thought she had managed to get rid of!

Who was that, was someone else on the beach at this early hour? Bailey strained to see ahead of her at the figure that appeared to be walking her way. They got closer and her heart started doing flip flops, it was him! He had come after her!

She stood still as Jeremy continued walking closer to her. She wanted to mount Starlight again and run, but yet felt frozen in place as she watched him.

He was almost up to her now and his eyes were silently pleading for her not to run. He stood right in front of her and he reached out and touched her hand.

“Please Bailey, please let me explain….”

The warmth of his hand sent sparks through her that she couldn’t deny. She looked in his eyes and saw a tear rolling down his cheek.

She nodded, for she couldn’t speak and they started to walk through the water, together.