Serial Reads by Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti

Chapter 3 Ariel thought about the special bond she shared with Aidan. Her crush on him was perpetual and he adored the little girl next door. His mother's best friend's daughter and the sweetest person he'd ever met, hurting Ariel Tanner was the last thing he ever intended to do and the one thing he'd consistently do for as long as he lived. He discovered the intensity of Ariel’s crush by accident.  One day when he was mowing the lawn in his own backyard, he heard Ariel's mom, Gabby Tanner, calling for her daughter from their back door. Moments earlier, Aidan saw Ariel scamper for the security of the massive Magnolia standing stately in the center of her yard. Tall and grand and protective – Ariel often sought shelter in its boughs.  Aidan noticed she was crying, and Gabby couldn't coax her down.  He left his mower, spoke briefly to Gabby then nonchalantly walked over the tree and leaned on the thick trunk. Ariel held her breath, forcing the tears to stop s...

 One Year Later    It was late afternoon, but the June sun was high in the cloudless, sapphire sky. Marshall's Landing rested quietly under its golden glow. Safe. Serene. Ordinary. The hamlet was old and quaint and perfect in a small-town splendor reminiscent of days gone by.   The town was like an old painting, a treasured remnant of the past, with white houses and green trims that radiated a quiet Rockwellesque charm both soothing and welcoming to residents and visitors alike. Mostly. Main Street ran through the center of town and awnings covered the slab and cobble sidewalks.  At the far end of the street, near the town square, was a brick and granite general store. A dangling sign told the world inside was  Tucker’s General Store and Fountain .  Next to Tucker's was the oldest antique store in town. Ariel's mom owned it, and the remained a successful tribute to the tourist traffic the town was so dependent upon.  Across from  Ta...