Episode 5: The Festival

The Tide Festival transformed Havenport into a kaleidoscope of light and sound, lanterns strung along the docks casting a warm glow over the bustling crowd. Lila wandered the stalls, her sketchbook tucked under her arm, the scent of grilled fish and saltwater mingling in the air. She’d avoided the event at first, preferring the solitude of her cottage, but the music—fiddles and drums—drew her out. Dressed in a sweater and jeans, her curls loose, she felt a flicker of her old self, the artist who once thrived in crowds. Yet the weight of Mark’s betrayal still clung to her, a shadow she couldn’t shake.

Jude spotted her near the seafood stall, her silhouette framed by the lantern light. He’d been helping set up, his fisherman’s hands deft with ropes, but her presence pulled him away. “Dance with me,” he said, offering his hand, his gray eyes glinting with challenge.

“I don’t dance,” she protested, stepping back, but he grinned and tugged her into the crowd. The music swelled, and his touch—warm, steady—guided her into a clumsy sway. Her initial stiffness melted as they moved, his hand on her waist, her fingers brushing his shoulder. The stars glittered above, and for a moment, she let herself lean into him, the rhythm of the dance syncing with the tide’s pull. His scent—sea and cedar—wrapped around her, and she felt a spark she hadn’t in years.

Then Maggie, the town’s resident gossip, sidled up, her wink sharp. “Jude Carter, still breaking hearts? Watch out—he’s got a trail of them.” Her cackle cut through the music, and Lila stiffened, the spell broken. She pulled away, her chest tight with doubt. Jude frowned. “She’s joking,” he said, reaching for her.

“Maybe,” Lila replied, her voice cool. The idea of him with others—casual flings or deeper ties—stirred an unease she couldn’t name. She slipped through the crowd, the lanterns blurring as she headed for the bluff. The sea stretched dark and endless, mirroring her turmoil. Mark’s infidelity had taught her to question, and Maggie’s words reignited that fear. She sank onto a rock, sketching the festival lights, her hand trembling.

Jude watched her go, frustration knotting his brow. Maggie’s teasing was harmless, a town jest about his bachelor status, but Lila’s reaction stung. He’d felt a connection on the dance floor, a rare warmth since his ex left. Back at his boat, he leaned against the hull, the music fading. His past—his ex’s departure, Sara’s struggles—had made him wary, but Lila’s retreat piqued his interest. He wanted to explain, to bridge the gap, but the night swallowed her figure.

Inside her cottage, Lila stared at her sketch, the lights now a jagged mess. She’d come to heal, not to tangle with a man who might break her again. Yet his touch lingered, a ghost on her skin. The festival’s joy felt distant, and as the waves crashed below, she wondered if Havenport’s peace was slipping away, replaced by a pull she couldn’t resist.

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