Carl & the Engines vol.13 (Patreon)

Vol 13 - Adelaide’s mood improved by the time the two friends made it to Bluff’s Cove and its beach.There were plenty of people already there, but Carl and Adelaide managed to find a good spot, far from the other beachgoers yet with a clear view of the ocean. They never said it out loud, but they both wanted to spend this time with each other with as little interaction from other people as possible.And because of that, the two barely moved from underneath their beach umbrella, except to go for a swim together. It was as if spending the day simply being close and talking to each other was enough for them.By the time the Sun was setting, there wasn’t anyone else around the beach except for Douglas, the other Scottish Twin engine, coasting along the line behind them at one point. Adelaide looked out to the sea, and was enchanted by the fiery sky reflecting off the water.“I’m glad that I could be here with you,” Adelaide said. “I love the Mainland, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful than this.”Carl looked over at her, and felt a stirring inside of him that could only be described as magical. Except now that he was a young man, he knew exactly what that “magic” was—even after all of these years, he was still caught in Adelaide’s spell.“I have,” he replied without thinking.Adelaide faced him, taken off guard.Just then, Carl realized what he had said and it was too late for him to try and take it back now. Nearly making them late was one thing, but jeopardizing his friendship with Adelaide was a mistake that Carl didn’t think he could ever recover from. But before he could apologize, Adelaide surprised him by leaning against his side, giggling and cozying up to him as she watched the waves roll on.At first, Carl didn’t know what to think…But he soon found out that it didn’t matter because he knew what to do and that was embrace Adelaide in one of the best moments of his life.