Excerpt of Serendipity by the Sea by Jennifer Vido

Cate maneuvered into the parking lot adjacent to the main road, jumped out of her car, and headed for the employee golf carts used as a means to get around the grounds. Taking the first available, she hurled the little cart in the direction of Guest Services. Whizzing past beachgoers sporting island T-shirts, she spied customers coming out of Novel Ideas, the island’s long-standing, secondhand bookstore.

Slowing at the curve in front of Island Scoop, Cate wished for a cool treat to reward her sweet tooth. The strong aroma of steaming coffee alerted her to a few visitors coming out of The Wise Owl, sipping cups of morning brew. Blocking her view, they strolled along the path toward the boardwalk. Their telltale bronzed skin and relaxed demeanor signaled the end of their stay. Cate couldn’t blame them for wanting to linger, but she was in a hurry.

When they finally set out, she zipped her cart into the only open parking spot. Cate entered the building and scooted by the buzzing groups now congregating in front of the shiny Guest Services counter, careful not to make eye contact. She shifted her belongings to cover up her navy polo embroidered with the Gull Island insignia to ward off unwanted conversation until she could get settled and prepared to offer assistance.