A Brush of Blue

Chapter 6: Rain and Reflection

The early morning light streamed through the thin curtains of Selah's cottage, casting soft shadows across the walls. She lay in bed, the warmth of the blankets comforting against the cool air that drifted in from the open window. The sounds of Blue Haven were beginning to stir—seagulls crying in the distance, the soft whisper of waves lapping at the shore—but Selah's mind was elsewhere.

She had dreamed about Grace last night.

The dream had been so vivid it felt like stepping back in time, a memory brought to life in her sleep. She and Grace had been sitting in their favorite coffee shop, laughing over something small, a joke that, in real life, Selah couldn't even recall. But in the dream, Grace's laughter was so clear, so alive, that it brought a warmth to Selah's chest. They had been happy. Grace had radiated joy, her eyes sparkling with the same light that had drawn Selah in from the start.

Waking up had felt like crashing back into reality. The bed was empty beside her, the quiet cottage around her only amplifying Grace's absence. It wasn't that she hadn't grown used to waking up alone, but every time she dreamed about Grace, it was like losing her all over again. The void felt fresh, raw. It didn't matter how much time had passed—Grace's absence was a wound that refused to heal.

Selah sighed deeply, pushing herself up from the bed. Her body felt heavy, burdened with the weight of too many sleepless nights and too many dreams that left her heart aching. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table—6:30 a.m. It was early, especially after how late she had stayed out with Naomi the night before, but going back to sleep wasn't an option now.

After their walk to the overlook, Selah and Naomi had spent hours talking. They'd ended up back at The Blue Haven Café, sitting by the window with another round of tea, watching the rain as it pattered against the glass. Naomi's stories had been a welcome distraction—the tales of her adventures, her passion for the sea turtles she studied, and her love for Blue Haven had all drawn Selah in. For the first time in a long while, Selah had felt lighter, more present.

But now, in the quiet of the morning, with nothing but her thoughts for company, that lightness had faded. The weight of Grace's loss settled over her again, like a shadow creeping back into place.

Selah climbed out of bed, padding across the cold floor to the kitchen. As she made herself a cup of coffee, she found herself thinking about the life she and Grace had planned together—the dreams they'd had, the home they'd wanted to build. It had all been stripped away in an instant, leaving Selah adrift in a life she no longer recognized.

She sipped her coffee, leaning against the counter as her eyes drifted toward the window. The ocean shimmered faintly in the distance, the early morning light casting a soft glow over the water. The sky was clear, a welcome change from the overcast weather that had dominated Blue Haven for the past week.

As Selah let the quiet moments of the morning sink in, her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking through her thoughts. She picked it up, half expecting a message from Naomi, but instead, she saw a missed call and a voicemail from her sister, Cora.

Her chest tightened as she tapped the voicemail icon and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hey, Sel. It's me. Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and I miss hearing your voice. Give me a call when you get a chance, okay? I love you."

Selah closed her eyes as her sister's voice washed over her, a pang of guilt threading through her chest. Cora had always been there for her, especially after Grace's death, but Selah had been pulling away over the last few months. She hadn't meant to; it had just been easier to distance herself from everyone, even her own family. Cora didn't push, but Selah knew her sister worried. Every time they talked, Selah could feel the concern in Cora's voice, the unspoken question: *Are you really okay?*