by: Tammy L. Grace
Series: Glass Beach Cottage
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Release Date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Lone Mountain Press
Amazon | Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
A heartbreaking loss. An unexpected inheritance. A chance for a new beginning.
Lily’s no stranger to loss, but her life takes its most tragic turn the day her husband is killed. Unable to escape the memories surrounding her, she jumps at the chance to return to happy summer memories in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she spent summers as a teenager. She inherits Glass Beach Cottage from her late uncle and leaves behind the life she’s known, including her beloved son, for a new adventure.
The rhythm of the ocean soothes her. Her heart begins to mend during morning strolls along the beach with her dog. She encounters a kindness in the residents of the tiny coastal town. A young man who lost his hearing as a teen, a local shopkeeper who offers her a helping hand, and a widower and veterinarian, who persuades Lily to foster a new puppy, form her circle of friends.
As guests come and go, she gains insight into the joys and sorrows of those who spend a few days at Glass Beach Cottage. Along with the healing power of the sea, Lily witnesses the strength of the human spirit and learns that the best remedy for her grief lies in the restorative power of helping others.
Award-winning author, Tammy L. Grace, brings readers her new GLASS BEACH COTTAGE SERIES. The first book, BEACH HAVEN, is a heartwarming story of a woman’s resilience buoyed by the bonds of friendship, an unexpected gift, and the joy she finds in helping others. Escape with a new favorite series and read BEACH HAVEN today.
She noted the sizeable old desk in the area with a view out to the deck and beyond. It made for an inviting workstation. She and Fritz explored the downstairs level in more detail. Guest bedrooms and bathrooms surrounded an area that had been outfitted with cabinets and countertops. Laundry machines took up part of the wall space, along with a sink, microwave, and ice machine. Aunt Maggie had used the cabinets and counters for her art projects.
Built-in shelves under the windows held stacks of nostalgic board games and puzzles. Wooden tables were situated around the room, allowing guests to spend their downtime playing cards or games. Lily smiled at the memory of walking by the table where her aunt always had a puzzle going and guests would take a few minutes to look for pieces.
The house sported three round windows, like portholes on a ship. Aunt Maggie had crafted beautiful stained-glass designs in each of them. She had been a talented artist, and several of her paintings graced the walls. She had passed away several years ago, but her supplies were still in the cupboards.
There were a couple of couches and a coffee table atop a thick area rug in front of an entertainment center, which housed a television and stereo equipment. Mr. Landon had left all of the furniture in the downstairs area. The garden level, as her aunt called it, made for a generous living space, separate and private from the main floor. Guests had use of the common area for watching television, doing laundry, and relaxing. Lily had been given the run of the downstairs when she had spent her summers on the coast.
Fritz gave the entire space a thorough sniffing before following Lily out the sliding glass doors. Benches were situated along the wall of the house, offering views of both the garden and the water. A fountain bubbled in the midst of a circle of plants donning vibrant flowers.
Concrete paths wove through the garden and to the three private cottages. Lily noticed the rotting wood siding, missing roof shingles, and broken windows. She’d have to get some contractors to take a look and give her some estimates.
Fritz romped through the grass and took off down a dirt path. She followed and stopped at the edge of the precipice overlooking the deep blue of the inlet. A rickety wooden rail fence ran along the bluff, and faded signs warned of danger. She bent down to Fritz and said, “No. Stay here.”
She made a mental note to get the fence reinforced. She couldn’t bear the thought of Fritz getting hurt, or worse, if his exploring led him through the large gap between the sagging rails.
She took the leash from her pocket and snapped it back on his harness. “Come on, Fritzie, let’s stay out of trouble today.” She led him back to the main house, noting the firepit in a screened area of the garden. She sat on a bench and looked out to the water, knowing it would offer an amazing night view.
She and Fritz took the stairs up to the deck on the main level. She made sure the glass door was secure and took off his leash. She opened the door to the dining room and went about exploring while Fritz rested on the deck.
She opened cupboards and ran her hand over the cool white and gray granite countertops. The modern stainless appliances blended with the more traditional white farmhouse style cabinets. She opened the refrigerator, designed to look like a cabinet, and found it stocked with a few essentials.
She smiled and said, “Mr. Landon thought of everything.” She took out an apple and found a cutting board and knife set. As she sliced it, she looked out the window and saw Fritz sleeping on one of the cushioned chaise lounges.
It brought a smile to her face to see him content. He missed Gary and continued to search for him at their old house until the day she drove him across the country. She munched on her snack and went about unpacking the boxes stacked on the other side of the kitchen island. By mid-afternoon, she had the kitchen stocked with the items from her old kitchen. Several empty cupboards remained, and the large pantry had plenty of space for more things.
She plugged in the kettle and made a cup of tea before tackling her bedroom and bathroom. Fritz had tired of the outdoors and followed her into the master suite. The first thing she placed in the room was Gary’s urn. He had traveled with her when she and Fritz drove across the country. Using a soft cloth, Lily dusted the cool black surface that looked like a night sky filled with stars. She ran her fingers over the engraving of his name as she placed it on the center shelf of a bookcase.
She unpacked her clothes and hung them in the huge walk-in closet. It had a built-in armoire and plenty of space for her meager wardrobe. She had turned in all her uniforms, which accounted for the bulk of her clothing.
Hugging a small group of clothes, she brought the collar of a worn leather jacket to her nose and breathed deeply. She closed her eyes and reveled in the scent of her husband. Relief flooded over her at the faint aroma she recognized. She embraced his favorite flannel shirt and hung it with a soft t-shirt she loved.
She had donated his other clothes but couldn’t part with a handful of favorites. One of his t-shirts had been her sleeping companion for the better part of the last year. She had packed all of them for the move, thus ending the ritual.
The leather jacket had been her Christmas gift to him more than ten years ago. It had been well-loved, with its scuffed spots and softened sleeves. She dreaded the day when his scent would no longer be evident.
Built-in shelves under the windows held stacks of nostalgic board games and puzzles. Wooden tables were situated around the room, allowing guests to spend their downtime playing cards or games. Lily smiled at the memory of walking by the table where her aunt always had a puzzle going and guests would take a few minutes to look for pieces.
The house sported three round windows, like portholes on a ship. Aunt Maggie had crafted beautiful stained-glass designs in each of them. She had been a talented artist, and several of her paintings graced the walls. She had passed away several years ago, but her supplies were still in the cupboards.
There were a couple of couches and a coffee table atop a thick area rug in front of an entertainment center, which housed a television and stereo equipment. Mr. Landon had left all of the furniture in the downstairs area. The garden level, as her aunt called it, made for a generous living space, separate and private from the main floor. Guests had use of the common area for watching television, doing laundry, and relaxing. Lily had been given the run of the downstairs when she had spent her summers on the coast.
Fritz gave the entire space a thorough sniffing before following Lily out the sliding glass doors. Benches were situated along the wall of the house, offering views of both the garden and the water. A fountain bubbled in the midst of a circle of plants donning vibrant flowers.
Concrete paths wove through the garden and to the three private cottages. Lily noticed the rotting wood siding, missing roof shingles, and broken windows. She’d have to get some contractors to take a look and give her some estimates.
Fritz romped through the grass and took off down a dirt path. She followed and stopped at the edge of the precipice overlooking the deep blue of the inlet. A rickety wooden rail fence ran along the bluff, and faded signs warned of danger. She bent down to Fritz and said, “No. Stay here.”
She made a mental note to get the fence reinforced. She couldn’t bear the thought of Fritz getting hurt, or worse, if his exploring led him through the large gap between the sagging rails.
She took the leash from her pocket and snapped it back on his harness. “Come on, Fritzie, let’s stay out of trouble today.” She led him back to the main house, noting the firepit in a screened area of the garden. She sat on a bench and looked out to the water, knowing it would offer an amazing night view.
She and Fritz took the stairs up to the deck on the main level. She made sure the glass door was secure and took off his leash. She opened the door to the dining room and went about exploring while Fritz rested on the deck.
She opened cupboards and ran her hand over the cool white and gray granite countertops. The modern stainless appliances blended with the more traditional white farmhouse style cabinets. She opened the refrigerator, designed to look like a cabinet, and found it stocked with a few essentials.
She smiled and said, “Mr. Landon thought of everything.” She took out an apple and found a cutting board and knife set. As she sliced it, she looked out the window and saw Fritz sleeping on one of the cushioned chaise lounges.
It brought a smile to her face to see him content. He missed Gary and continued to search for him at their old house until the day she drove him across the country. She munched on her snack and went about unpacking the boxes stacked on the other side of the kitchen island. By mid-afternoon, she had the kitchen stocked with the items from her old kitchen. Several empty cupboards remained, and the large pantry had plenty of space for more things.
She plugged in the kettle and made a cup of tea before tackling her bedroom and bathroom. Fritz had tired of the outdoors and followed her into the master suite. The first thing she placed in the room was Gary’s urn. He had traveled with her when she and Fritz drove across the country. Using a soft cloth, Lily dusted the cool black surface that looked like a night sky filled with stars. She ran her fingers over the engraving of his name as she placed it on the center shelf of a bookcase.
She unpacked her clothes and hung them in the huge walk-in closet. It had a built-in armoire and plenty of space for her meager wardrobe. She had turned in all her uniforms, which accounted for the bulk of her clothing.
Hugging a small group of clothes, she brought the collar of a worn leather jacket to her nose and breathed deeply. She closed her eyes and reveled in the scent of her husband. Relief flooded over her at the faint aroma she recognized. She embraced his favorite flannel shirt and hung it with a soft t-shirt she loved.
She had donated his other clothes but couldn’t part with a handful of favorites. One of his t-shirts had been her sleeping companion for the better part of the last year. She had packed all of them for the move, thus ending the ritual.
The leather jacket had been her Christmas gift to him more than ten years ago. It had been well-loved, with its scuffed spots and softened sleeves. She dreaded the day when his scent would no longer be evident.
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Born and raised in Nevada, Tammy L. Grace loved reading at a young age. With the help of her middle school teacher, she discovered the joy of writing. When Tammy isn't working on ideas for a novel, she's spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.
Places to find Tammy L. Grace:
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Thanks so much for featuring my new book, Kim.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
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