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The scent of freshly brewed coffeefilled the air, mingling with the aroma of toast and the salty tang thatdrifted in from the sea. They settled at the rustic breakfast table, a pot ofjam between them—a small island of sweetness in the vast ocean of their day.
"So, what's this master plan ofyours?" Liam asked, spreading a generous layer of jam onto his toast.
Charlotte took a sip of her coffee, hergaze fixed on the wisps of steam rising from the mug like spirits dancing."You’re going out with Simon on his boat today, yes?”
Liam nodded.
“We need to find out if Simon isplanning to propose," she said, her voice low but tinged with excitement."And we're going to do it in the most amusing way possible."
"Amusing how?" Liam'scuriosity piqued as he leaned forward, his own cup cradled in his hands.
"Let's concoct a treasurehunt," Charlotte suggested, her artist's mind already painting the scene."We'll weave in little hints, challenges that will make Simon reveal hisintentions without realizing it."
"Like asking him to find somethingold, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?" Liam quipped,a playful glint in his eye.
"Exactly!" Charlotteexclaimed, delighted by the suggestion. "It's whimsical, it'slighthearted, and it'll give us the answers we seek."
They spent the next hour immersed inplotting, their laughter echoing off the stone walls, as bright and welcomingas the morning sun filtering through the lace curtains.
"Remember to keep it subtle,though," Charlotte reminded Liam. "We don't want to spook him."
"Subtlety is my middle name,"he assured her.
She laughed, and then frowned. “What isit, really?”
He frowned back. “What?”
“Your middle name.”
“Oh! Matthew,” he said, seeming happyshe’d asked.
"Then it's settled, LiamMatthew," Charlotte said, her spirit soaring like the seagulls outside."A treasure hunt it shall be."
Charlotte busied herself with thepreparations for Liam's fishing trip, the kitchen counter becoming an impromptustaging area for the day ahead. A woven basket sat open, ready to be filledwith sandwiches wrapped in parchment paper, a flask of hot tea, and a smallplastic container of Charlotte's homemade lemon drizzle cake—a sweet surprisemeant to keep the spirits buoyant even if the fish weren't biting.
"Make sure you take this,"she said, handing Liam a frayed but sturdy hat, its fabric faded from seasonsspent under the relentless sun. "It might not be too hot, but the sun isstrong.”
"Right," Liam chuckled,placing the hat on his head and pulling the brim down mockingly over his eyes."Wouldn't want to scare the fish away with my radiant glow."
As Liam stuffed the last of the gearinto his duffel bag—an odd assembly of lures, hooks, and lines—Charlotte leanedagainst the doorframe, watching her brother with affection. "And don't gettoo caught up in the thrill of the chase," she advised, a twinkle ofmischief dancing in her gaze. "Keep an eye on Simon. Any talk of thefuture, any... significant glances. You're my eyes and ears out there."
"Ah, so I'm a spy now?" Liamraised an eyebrow, his face breaking into a grin. "I'll have you know, I'mrather good at espionage."
"Good," Charlotte replied,her voice softening with sincerity. "Because it means the world tome, Mr. Bond."
The sound of gravel crunching undertires drew their attention to the window, where they saw Simon's rugged pickuptruck roll to a stop outside The Old Crown Inn. Charlotte's heart skipped abeat as she watched him step out, the morning light casting a halo around hissilhouette. He was dressed in a practical flannel shirt that did little to hidethe strength in his shoulders, and his jeans were worn in just the right placesto suggest a life lived in harmony with the elements.
"Alright, then," Liam said,hoisting the duffel bag over his shoulder. "Wish me luck."
"Always," Charlotte murmured,following him out to greet their guest.
"Morning, Charlotte," Simongreeted her with a smile and a kiss that could've easily melted the dew off thegrass. "Liam ready for some real action today?"
"Ready as ever," Liaminterjected before Charlotte could respond. His eyes met hers for a briefsecond, a silent promise to fulfill his mission.
"Great!" Simon clapped Liamon the back, turning to stow the fishing gear in the back of the truck.
Charlotte lingered by the doorway,watching the two men share a laugh, feeling the stir of something indefinablewithin her chest—an amalgam of excitement at the thought of what the day mightbring and nervousness at the prospect of change. She wrapped her arms aroundherself, taking comfort in the familiar scent of salt and wildflowers carriedby the breeze.
