A Brush of Blue

Chapter 16: In the Wake of the Storm

Naomi woke slowly, the faint morning light creeping in through the windows and casting a soft glow across the room. The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves blended with the quiet creaks of Selah's cottage, creating a peaceful backdrop that made her want to close her eyes and drift back into sleep. But the cool air brushing against her skin reminded her of where she was, and the memories of the night before stirred in her mind.

The storm had passed, leaving the world outside drenched and still. Naomi sat up on the couch, stretching her arms above her head as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The cottage was still without power, but the morning light that filtered through the windows made the dimness feel calm rather than unsettling. Naomi glanced around, her gaze lingering on the remnants of the stormy night—the now-cold embers of the fire, the half-melted candles. She felt a gentle ache in her chest as the memories of her time with Selah—the kiss, the warmth—flooded back, reminding her of the fragile yet powerful connection between them.

Selah's steady breathing drifted from the bedroom, a comforting sound that reassured Naomi she was still resting peacefully. Naomi didn't want to disturb her, but she was curious to check on her, to make sure everything was still as it should be after the emotionally charged night they'd shared.

Quietly, Naomi rose from the couch and padded across the room toward the bedroom door. She hesitated for a moment before cracking it open just enough to peek inside. Selah lay curled beneath the blankets, her face serene in sleep, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. A tender smile tugged at Naomi's lips as she watched her for a moment longer. Selah looked so peaceful, and Naomi wanted her to stay that way, especially after everything they had shared.

Content that Selah was okay, Naomi slipped out of the bedroom and made her way to the front door. She opened it quietly, stepping onto the porch and breathing in the fresh, post-storm air. The sky was pale and clear, the morning sun beginning to peek over the horizon. The beach stretched out before her, but the usually pristine sand was now littered with debris—seaweed, broken branches, bits of plastic, and pieces of wood from fences that had been blown apart by the fierce winds.

Naomi's heart sank at the sight. The storm had left its mark on the beach, disrupting the serene coastline she had grown so fond of. Her mind immediately shifted into problem-solving mode. The beach needed to be cleaned up, and she knew her team at the marine center would be able to help. Organizing a cleanup crew was second nature to her, and she felt a surge of responsibility to restore the beach to its natural beauty. After all, the ocean had always been a refuge for her, a place of peace and solace. Now, it was her turn to give back.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, considering calling Sarah, her colleague at the marine center, to start putting plans in motion. But before she could dial, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was her mother.

"Hey, Mom," Naomi answered with a soft smile as she stepped back inside the cottage, closing the door behind her.

"Naomi! How are you, sweetheart? I've been so worried. Is everything okay? How's Selah? I heard about the storm last night—I tried calling, but you didn't answer!" Lorraine's voice was filled with concern.

Naomi winced, realizing she hadn't checked in since arriving at Selah's the night before. She'd been so caught up in Selah, the storm, and her own emotions that it hadn't even crossed her mind to let her mom know she was okay. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I should've called. I'm fine, and Selah is too. The power's still out, but we made it through the night. Kept a fire going and stayed warm."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Naomi could almost picture her mom's knowing expression. "Stayed with Selah, huh?"

Naomi's cheeks flushed slightly, heat rising in her face. "Yeah, I wanted to make sure she was okay with the storm and all."