Lade_3

After a painful breakup and years of sacrificing her dreams, Artist Grace Montgomery seeks a fresh start in a small coastal town, inheriting her late grandmother's old cottage. 

She's determined to rebuild not only the home but her own life. What she didn't expect is to find herself drawn to Ethan Walker, a handsome contractor and a single father with walls as high as her own. 

He still grieves the loss of his wife. but he focused his life on raising his eight year old daughter, Maya and staying emotionally guarded.

While Ethan restores Grace's cottage sparks fly, but both are too cautious to let their guard down.

Along the line, Maya had passion for art and bonded well with Grace. While Grace works closely with Ethan, a slow-burning romance begins to develop.

However, past wounds, unspoken fears and the unexpected return of Grace's ex-financé Liam Carter. He threatened to keep them apart. 
In the end, they must decide whether to let the past define them or take a chance of love and a future together.

Will they take the chance on each other? Or will fear, their pasts and doubt keep them apart?

A Chance for Us

Grace stood in the middle of the living room, hands on her hips, surveying the progress.

The house started to feel like home again but her thoughts kept drifting back to Ethan.

There was something about him. He was guarded and seems to keep people at arm's length.

She shook her head, frustrated with herself. "You're here for a fresh start, not to get attracted by a handsome contractor with a mysterious past".

As the sun sets down, Grace decided to clear her head by the beach unknowingly to her she finds a familiar person already there, Ethan.

He hadn't seen her yet, he looked so lost in thought. Grace first instinct was to give him space and let him have his moment, but deep down she wanted to break through his high walls and get to know him better.

She decided to approach him, unsure of what to say or expect. "I didn't expect you to be here, you don't seem like the beach-at-sunset kind of guy" she said with a smirk on her face.

Ethan turned slightly, looking at Grace surprised then smiled softly. "Well, I didn't take you for someone to sneak up on people"

They both smiled and sat in a comfortable silence for a while.

"You seemed lost in thoughts earlier, you want me to leave you to it?" Grace said with a curious and concerned look.

Ethan hesitated then said "You can stay, I was just admiring the waves of the water and the sunset" Grace felt that he wasn't being totally honest but decided to let it go.

"So are you done painting?" Ethan asked, "Not yet, just wanted to come out and clear my head abit"

"Hmm, Is something wrong?" Ethan asked with a concerned look. Grace got lost in his gaze for awhile. Then Ethan snapped her out of a gaze by asking if she was okay. "Uh... Yes... Nothing serious... I just wanted fresh air" Grace said nervously.

They both smiled softly, Grace spoke. "I get the feeling you don't do this often"

"What? Sit on the beach and observe the sunset and talk about about my feelings" he smirked, She smiled. "Something like that"

Ethan exhaled, running a hand over his jaw. "I guess I just like the quiet atmosphere. Some days, it's the only thing that makes sense" Grace studied him, sensing the weight behind his words. "I know what you mean"

He turned to look at her, curiosity flickering in his gaze, "Do you?" She nodded, her own past creeping into her thoughts. "Sometimes life gets too loud, and the only way to breathe is to step away from it all"

Ethan looked at her for a long moment. It was the most open he had been since they met and it sent a strange warmth through her.

Just then, a cool breeze swept across the shore, sending a shiver down Grace's spine.

Ethan noticed and without a word he pulled off his jacket and handed to her. She hesitated. "I'm fine"

"Just take it" he said. His tone softer than usual.

She collected it and put it on, feeling warm from his body heat. "Thanks". Another silence stretched between them, but this time it wasn't comfortable, it was something else, something unspoken, something they were trying to avoid and wasn't quite ready to name.

Eventually, Ethan stood up "I should get going" Grace followed his lead standing beside him. "Yeah, me too"

As they walked back together in comfortable silence, an undeniable shift occurs between them, hinting that their connection is growing in ways neither of them fully understands yet.

An Undeniable Shift