Finding Harmony

Chapter 3: Chloe

I walk into the local grocery store to start my first job of the day, delivering groceries to people, especially the elderly, who sometimes struggle with tasks that many of us take for granted. During the summer, when the lake buzzes with vacationers, I extend my services to the cabins, ensuring that their grocery needs are met so they can fully enjoy their relaxation time.

I greet Jimmy, the owner of the store, with a warm smile as I pass by. He's a jolly man, always ready with a joke and a twinkle in his eye. Today, I'm met with a friendly wave and a "Morning, Chloe! The app's all set up with today's deliveries. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks, Jimmy," I open it on my phone, and sure enough, the day's deliveries are already popping up, each with a detailed list of items to be packed and delivered. The app is a godsend, developed by Jimmy's tech-savvy nephew, making my job so much easier. Upon closer inspection, I notice that there is a delivery order for one of the lake cabins. "Are there people up at the cabins already?" I ask.

"Yeah, about that." I watch as he looks over his shoulder and leans toward me, whispering, so I'm the only one who can hear him, "Supposably he is some kind of hot-shot musician from England."

My curiosity instantly piqued. "Oh. And how, may I ask, did you get that kind of information?" I ask, a smirk playing on my face. Jimmy and the woman who owns the cabins by the lake, Betty Emerson, have recently become an item, and I like to tease him about it sometimes.

"Well, Betty might've mentioned something about a new tenant," Jimmy says, a hint of a blush creeping up his cheeks.

I chuckle to myself, shaking my head fondly. "Alright, I'll bite. What's this musician's name?" I ask, curious about the mysterious cabin occupant. I wonder what a musician from England would be doing all the way out here. What could have brought him to our small corner of the world? Maybe he was on tour and taking a break to enjoy the peaceful lake setting. Or perhaps he was looking for inspiration in the great outdoors. Either way, I was excited to make the delivery and possibly catch a glimpse of this mysterious musician.

"Jasper something or other... Can't quite recall his last name. But apparently, he's quite the talent. He plays the guitar like a dream and has a voice that'll make your heart melt." Jimmy replies, a faraway look in his eye, as if he's imagining the music himself.

"Well, I'll be sure to ask him for a private concert when I deliver his groceries," I say jokingly before I make my way to the stock room to grab the crates I use to load groceries into and quickly get to work, gathering items from the shelves and packing them carefully. The app makes my job easy and efficient.

Soon, I'm loading the crates into my delivery van, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement for the day ahead. Each delivery brings a new adventure, a chance to connect with someone and make their day a little brighter. And who knows, maybe today I'll get to add 'concert by a lake' to my list of unique experiences. I find myself kind of getting excited to make the delivery and possibly catch a glimpse of this mysterious musician. With a wave to Jimmy, I set off on my route, a spring in my step and a song in my heart.

My first few stops are in town, delivering to the elderly residents who have become like family to me. I check in on them, ensuring their well-being, and we share a few laughs and stories. Before long, I'm on my way out of town, heading toward the lake. As I drive, I can't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Delivering groceries may not be the most glamorous job, but it's honest work, and it helps me provide for my boys. Plus, I get to meet interesting people and enjoy the beauty of our small town. I love living in this small town, where everyone knew each other and looked out for one another. It was the perfect place to raise my boys, and I'm grateful for the sense of community we found here.

The road winds through lush forests, and the lake glistens in the distance as the sun glints off the water. I roll down the window, breathing in the fresh air. This is the best part of this job, being able to drive around and enjoying the scenery.

Pulling up to the cabins, I spot a sleek, black car with tinted windows parked outside one of them. I assume it belongs to the musician Jimmy mentioned. As I step out of my car, I hear the faint strumming of a guitar and the melodic tones of a man's voice. My curiosity grows as I unload the groceries, and as I approach the cabin, I see a figure sitting on the porch, facing the lake.

And Oh my God!

The man sitting there is possibly the most attractive man I have ever seen. He looks up as I approach and gives me a warm smile. As I draw closer, my heart skips a beat. He is even more handsome up close—ruggedly so, with a day's worth of stubble and hair that falls casually over his eyes. His smile is warm and inviting, and I feel that familiar awkwardness wash over me. I remind myself to breathe and offer a small smile, feeling shy and self-conscious.

"Hi," I manage to say, my voice sounding awkward to my own ears. "I've got your groceries for you."

"Ah, wonderful!" He exclaims, getting up, sitting his guitar beside the chair he was just sitting on. "Here let me grab those for you," His voice is deep and rich, with a hint of an English accent as he reaches for the crates I'm carrying and motions with his head for me to follow him into the cabin. "Come on in, love."

Holy s**t he has an accent. Well, duh, Jimmy did say he's from England. "Oh, uh, that's ok. I should be going."

"I don't bite, I promise," he assures me with a smile, "Well, only when asked." he says, giving me a wink. "Besides, I have to return these to you," he motioned with his head towards the crates he was holding. I felt heat rise on my cheeks as I realized I had no choice but to follow him.

As I step into the cabin, my heart is still pounding from the encounter on the porch. I remind myself that I'm here to do a job and that this is all part of the daily adventure of being a grocery delivery driver in our quaint little town. But when I find myself face-to-face with him in this cozy space, my shyness returns with a vengeance.

"Thanks for bringing these. I have terrible jet lag and don't have the energy to go grocery shopping myself. I haven't eaten since yesterday, and I'm really craving a cup of tea." He says as he walks over to the counter and places the crates on top.

I can't help standing there awkwardly. I'm not sure what to do with my arms now that nothing is in them. "No problem." I manage to reply, my voice surprisingly steady.

"I'm Jasper, by the way." He extends a hand, and I shake it, self-conscious of how sweaty my palms are, which usually happens when I get anxious or nervous. His hand is warm and calloused, indicating a musician's hard work.

"Chloe."

"Lovely to meet you, Chloe." He holds my hand a little longer, giving me the most gorgeous smile, before letting go. But his eyes stay fixed on me. I can feel my cheeks flush at the prolonged eye contact, and I quickly look away, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze.

"So, how long have you been doing this?" Jasper asks, putting away the items that are in the crates.

"Oh, um, a few years now," I reply, shoving my hands into the back pockets of my jeans.

He pauses, his gaze holding mine again, and I feel a flutter in my stomach. "I'm hoping to explore the area while I'm here. Any recommendations?" He asked before he resumed the task of removing to items.

My mind goes blank for a second as I try to think of places to suggest. "W-well, there's the lake, of course. It's especially beautiful at sunset. There's a lovely little cafe in town that serves the best pie. And if you're looking for peace and quiet or up for a little hike, there are some great trails in the woods just beyond the cabins."

"Perfect, I could use some peace and quiet," he says with a laugh. And I'd love to explore the trail. Maybe you could show me sometime? Maybe even grab some pie at that cafe you mentioned." He winks at me, and my heart does a little flip. Did he just ask me out? Me, Chloe Miller. No, I must be hearing things. I bite my lip, suddenly aware of how messy my hair must be and the fact that I'm still wearing my work clothes.

I can feel heat rising to my cheeks as I stand there, my heart pounding, I can't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with Jasper. But then I remember my boys and how I'm not quite ready to start dating again. I mean, it's been two years since the divorce, but still, the thought of putting myself out there is daunting. Especially with someone like Jasper, who is not only incredibly attractive but also famous.

"I, uh, I don't think I'll be able to, with my schedule."

Jasper's smile softens. "I understand." He pauses, his gaze holding mine with an intensity that makes my heart flutter again.

As I stand there, feeling flustered and awkward, I realize I'm just staring at him. "Oh, sorry, I should, um, get going," I stammer, backing toward the door. My mind is drawing a blank, and I can't think of anything charming or witty to say. So, I do what any rational person would do in this situation – I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. "Well, enjoy your groceries!" I say, immediately cringing at my own words.

Jasper lets out a small laugh, "Oh, I will, thank you."

As I turn to leave, feeling more embarrassed by the second, I hear Jasper call out behind me. "Chloe, wait!" I stop in my tracks, my heart sinking. Great, now he's going to tell me how awkward I am and ask me never to return. Or maybe he's going to ask me out again, and I'll have to come up with another lame excuse. I turn around slowly, bracing myself for whatever is coming next. "You forgot your crates," he says, holding up the empty containers with a playful smile. My face feels like it's on fire as I take the crates from him.

"Right, the crates," I mumble, feeling incredibly foolish. "Thanks, I'll just, um, take these back to the store then." I turn to leave again, this time determined to make a swift exit without any more embarrassing moments.

"Thanks again for the groceries, Chloe. It was lovely to meet you. And if you change your mind about the pie, you know where to find me." I hear him call out, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I walk away

I can't help but feel a mix of emotions when i get back into my van. On one hand, I'm excited and flustered by the encounter with Jasper. On the other hand, I feel silly for acting so shy and awkward. As I drive away, I can't help but glance back at the cabin. I see Jasper standing on the porch, watching me leave.