Running to Happiness: Sunrise Beach, #5

By Charlotte Golding

Stella Britton and her daughter Kelsey are happy with their small beach town lives. There were many times when it seemed like happiness would never come and that makes today all the more precious.

Kelsey is happy, healthy, and her life is headed in an amazing direction. Stella couldn't be more pleased with how things have worked out for her beloved daughter. With all the struggles of starting her life over, making sure her daughter was settled has been a huge concern through it all.

Graham is a part of her life - if only on the fringes. England is a long way from Sunrise Beach and phone calls don't make up for seeing each other in person. Stella can't bring herself to push him away, though. There's something there even if it may never work out to be more than a long distance friendship.

In spite of all the good in her life, the past still nags at Stella. Her ex shows up from time to time and every time she sees him all the terrible things he did rush back and make her feel almost as lost as she did when she found out what he'd done. She knows he deserves a chance to rebuild the relationship with his daughter, but he doesn't deserve a chance with her.

When her ex springs new information on her, everything she's worked so hard for is threatened. Protecting her daughter and herself may turn out to be one of the hardest things she's ever done. The most painful part of it all is that her relationship with Graham - who had become her rock - might have to be sacrificed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
• Release date: Jun 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201609115

Book preview

Running to Happiness

Sunrise Beach - Book 5

Charlotte Golding

Chapter One

Stella never felt more at peace than she did while she was painting a sunrise. Though her daughter had told her it wouldn't work, she had gone with her gut and started offering another class—this one painting the sunrise once a week, on Saturday mornings.

People don't want to wake up at the crack of dawn unless they absolutely have to, Kelsey had insisted. You're going to buy all these supplies for a class that no one in their right mind would take.

When you get older, your biological clock changes, Stella told her. I couldn't sleep until noon if I tried. Many adults like to wake up earlier, and a lot of times, we're bored. There's not a lot to do other than head out and go get a cup of coffee at a café or read the newspaper. I think there would be people who might really like it, especially if I taught it as a beginner class.

Her daughter had shrugged. Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when you're sitting on the beach alone or worse—with a bunch of morning people.

Stella couldn't help but laugh at that. Kelsey had become more involved with Stella's art studio now that summer had rolled around and Marco was working there. She was always hanging around, finding excuses to help where before Stella had had to twist her arm to get her to do the simplest errand. Though the sudden change made her roll her eyes a little, she was glad for the help.

Marco was the real surprise. Stella had expected him to sort of phone it in—after all, it was a job at a tiny art gallery with few customers and even fewer classes, and on top of that, it was owned by his girlfriend's mom. He probably had a bit of a right to have expected the work to be easy. However, he had shocked her. He reported on time every morning, before the doors of the gallery opened, to start cleaning and preparing for the day. He ensured she had everything she would need to teach her Saturday Sunrise class, and even though she'd told him he could skip it, he still attended every weekend, walking around to make sure everyone was having a good time and had what they needed. A lot of her clients were older retired people and even more of them were women, most of whom had crushes on sweet, polite Marco. Kelsey swooned every time he made nice with a little old lady who wanted to flirt.

This Saturday, Stella was up early. She'd slept well, remarkably so now that her income was steadier. Having Marco stay with them for the summer break was an added expense, but between her job at the college, her new private lesson, and the paintings that were still selling like hotcakes at the gallery, she certainly wasn't hurting.

She'd gone down to the beach early to set up the easels and paint stations, then waited, chatting with Marco while her students poured in one by one. One thing she liked about her beginner classes was the variety of students she was able to teach. In her more advanced classes, it was mostly established artists, some older and some younger. They were all after the same goal, and it was a much more serious environment. She didn't mind that, but she had to admit this was more fun. In this class, almost no one was after a serious art career. Most of them were here just to have a good time.

She had a retired couple, an older woman with her sister, a new mother struggling with postpartum depression who was being encouraged to take some time to herself, and a handful of college students who had spent entire semesters without the free time to pursue hobbies and were now excited to paint together. Stella liked to talk to each of them, as they all had different perspectives that she never otherwise would have gotten to learn. They all had stories to tell, and she was honored to be able to help them express themselves in their art.

She was pulled from her thoughts by an older woman named Rhonda, one of her students, who was arriving earlier than she normally did.

Hey, Rhonda, she greeted when she stopped in front of her. Where's your sister?

Oh, Debbie is on her way. She got caught up in traffic, but she'll be here soon. I was actually looking to ask you something.

Stella smiled, assuming the question would be something to do with their most recent assignment. Sure. You can always ask. Do you want to go to your easel?

Oh, no. It’s more of a personal question. I was wondering—you were married at one point, right? Before you moved to Sunrise Beach?

Stella’s heart began to pound. Her palms were instantly slick with sweat, and her stomach did a flip up into her chest. Um, yes, that’s correct.

Your husband—his name was Jeff, right?

At that, Stella could have fainted. I’m sorry, can I ask what this is about?

Rhonda frowned, clearly sensing the urgency Stella was trying her best to hide. Despite her best efforts, the question had come out a little aggressive.

I didn’t mean anything by it, I assure you. I’d told my granddaughter about this class I’m taking and sent her your website, and she sent me back an article about the divorce. I only skimmed it—my eyes aren’t so good these days, and I hate to read on that darn computer. I was only curious.

Stella felt immediately guilty for having assumed the worst, and if she weren’t already pale from anxiety, she likely would have flushed with embarrassment. It’s just a bit personal, that’s all. I don’t like to talk about it.

Rhonda looked scolded, but understood, apologizing as she took her seat. Luckily, Debbie wasn’t far behind her, so she was able to distract herself by chatting with her sister, and it didn’t appear as though Stella was the topic of conversation.

As the remaining members of her class took their seats, Stella decided to allow herself to autopilot into her teaching role, instructing her class on how to do things that were second nature to her by this point. Landscapes were her bread and butter, and she could probably paint a halfway decent one in her sleep. She answered questions and helped students mix colors until they matched the beautiful pinks and blues of the ocean and sky.

Really, she liked the way everything looked different in the morning light. The rising sun christened everything anew, and any of her problems that had existed the day before somehow felt smaller, at least while the sun was rising. When she was staring at the sunrise, nothing else seemed to matter.

Her class lasted about an hour, and by the time everyone had finished packing up their things, Stella's thoughts were entirely turned to the situation with Rhonda. Sure, she'd explained how she'd heard about the divorce, but what if she knew more than she was letting on? Would she really be so bold as to ask Stella about it so shamelessly if she didn't know that there was a scandal at its heart?

She told herself that Rhonda was a notorious gossip, that everyone in the class knew about her tendencies and deliberately kept their secrets from her because of it. To ask someone about a divorce wouldn't be out of the question for her, even if Stella would have thought it unimaginable to do so herself. Still, the worry that Rhonda had figured everything out plagued her. What if she went home and read that article after all? Could it be one of the ones that accused her of having had some hand in the crimes?

Stella loaded the easels and paint stations into Marco's truck silently. He probably knew something was going on, but he also was aware it wasn't his place to ask. When she saw him take out his phone and look around to make sure Stella was occupied before sending a text, she knew he was asking Kelsey to keep an eye on her to see if she could figure out what was bothering her.

Sure enough, when Stella walked through the door of her home after setting everything back in her studio and writing Marco's check for the week, Kelsey was sitting at the breakfast bar, sipping a cola and looking at her phone.

Hey, Mom, she greeted mildly, obviously trying to sound natural. She had never been a good liar. How was class?

Stella forced a smile. It was good. We made some progress, I think. Some of them are getting close to finishing their first paintings, and I'm excited to see what they look like at the end. I think a few of my students might even finish two by the time the class ends.

Kelsey smiled, but it was measured, like she was trying to calm a frightened animal. Stella could have rolled her eyes at the care her daughter was taking with her. She thought she was so grown up.

Marco told me you seemed upset today. He said he thought maybe someone said something to you before class, and I think he’s right. You seem really shaken up. What happened?

Stella sighed. It was nothing, really. I’m fine. Under a withering glare from her daughter, she caved. Fine. Someone asked me if I was married to Jeff. She seemed like she knew something about the felony charges. It just caught me off guard a little, you know? It’s not a big deal.

Kelsey frowned. Really? How did she know about what happened?

She said her granddaughter sent her an article after Googling my name to find my website. She promised she didn’t read it, but I’m not sure if I believe her, or if it even matters. It just freaked me out a little to hear her bring it up. I forgot just how easy it is for people to learn that sort of thing about me.

Is there anything you can do about it?

Short of changing my name, no.

Have you thought about that? I mean, it’s not like you’re going to take Dad back, right?

Stella had thought about that before, but she tried not to do so very often. The idea made her head hurt. Honestly, she had no idea why she hadn’t gone back to her maiden name after the divorce was finalized. At the time, she’d told herself that it was because she was overwhelmed, that there was too much going on for her to worry about going to city hall and changing her name. However, after so much time had passed, she could no longer use that as an excuse. So, why hadn’t she done it? Was she holding out some hope—

No. That wasn’t it. It was just that she’d been Stella Britton for most of her life, at this point. Marrying so young meant this had been her identity for more than half of her life, and she felt connected to her name. Her daughter had Jeff’s surname, which meant that if she changed it, she would have to present Kelsey with the option to change hers, too, and that was a burden she hadn’t wanted to put on her shoulders when she had been so young. At this point in her life, she would need a really good reason to change her name, and fear hadn’t been worth the effort.

It’s really fine, honey. I don’t think this lady meant any harm by it. I just got a little spooked, that’s all. I’m feeling better now.

Kelsey nodded warily. If you say so. I’ll let Marco know it was a false alarm.

Stella wasn’t sure she actually did feel so okay about what had happened, but that wasn’t something she needed to burden Kelsey with. Her daughter had enough to worry about, between her internship and thinking ahead to the next semester and navigating the most serious relationship she’d ever had. These weren’t problems she wanted to unload on her daughter during what should be one of the best times of her life. The divorce and the move had already robbed her of so much of her teenage years. There was no need to pile on.

Besides, it probably was nothing. Stella was well aware of her tendency to worry, and the anxiety she was feeling over this incident was probably unwarranted. She may not know Rhonda very well, but the woman didn’t strike her as antagonistic. She could be a bit of a loudmouth, sure, but hopefully Stella’s reaction had been enough to tell her that she should use some discretion on this particular topic. Besides, if it became a problem, this was Stella’s class. She could always just ask her to leave if she had to.

There’s nothing to worry about, she said aloud, even though Kelsey had already left the room.

---

Felicia let out a long, low sigh as she tilted her head back to face the sun, which reflected off her enormous black sunglasses. The floppy hat that covered her hair blew in the breeze as she and Stella sat on the beach and watched the waves. She could have been a model if she wanted to, Stella thought. Felicia was gorgeous.

It’s been so long since we’ve had a day like this.

Stella nodded, finishing up applying sunblock to her own