“Next time,” he promised. “I’ll make sure to pack enough supplies. But now, we’d better start back.”
She slipped on the rest of her clothes and stood up to pull on her coat.
“How? Will we use the sails?” she asked.
“It depends,” he answered. “If we have a northern wind.”
“If not?” She followed him up the narrow stairs.
“The motor will get us back safely.” He glanced up at the mast.
She followed his gaze and for the first time since she’d stepped onto the boat, noticed a small white flag at the very top.
“Looks like we’re in luck,” he said with a smile. “The winds changed while we were below.”
She could feel it for herself. Earlier, the wind coming from the south had been a warm, steady breeze. Now, however, it was driving down from the north in almost mad gusts that bit at her skin and was a lot colder than before. She pulled her jacket tighter around her and shoved the hat back on her head, then she helped George hoist the anchor and open the sails, and he steered the sailboat back down the coast.
This time, she sat directly next to him and leaned into him for his warmth as they watched the shoreline pass by quickly on the opposite side of the boat. She covered herself with the blanket for extra warmth since the air had become downright chilly.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, she watched the colors wash over the hills and rocks of the coast. She jumped up and took several pictures when they spotted a pod of whales, then turned her camera on George as he stood at the helm, legs spread wide like a true sailor as he steered. His black hat and old wool coat reminded her of an old black-and-white movie about a sailor falling madly in love with a mermaid.
The romantic in her wanted to enjoy the moment, but then a gust of wind washed right through her, and she was back huddling under the blanket and wrapped in his warm arms.
As they headed back down the coast, they talked about family and their jobs as the beautiful coastal scenery passed by them until the sky grew dark enough that the view was dulled.
When he mentioned he was thinking of renting the unit next to Suzie’s flower shop, she was slightly surprised.
“I didn’t think you were going to stick around town,” she said, trying to hide the interest and excitement about the possibility of having a little bit longer with him.
She had known that to save herself from heartbreak she’d have to demand they keep things light between them.
Besides, with his reputation, she’d been wise to understand what she was getting herself into in the first place. George was a player. That had been clear from the first moment she’d overheard him calling his date last year by the wrong name.
“I hadn’t really planned on it, but it might be time.” He shrugged. “The rent on the building is low enough that it’s tempting. Besides, I’ve talked to a few people and, well, there’s a need for someone in town to take care of simple things like wills, deed transfers, and property line disputes.” He glanced at her and chuckled. “You know, the exciting stuff.”
She laughed. “Right, I’d forgotten that lawyers actually do more than just sue people.”
He smiled and pulled her closer. God, it really felt good being held by him.
“So, will you sign the lease? Move in full-time with your parents?” she asked and felt him wince.
“No.” She felt her heart sink. “I’m thinking of looking at what Rose and my cousin Jacob have available up in Hidden Cove. Then see if there’s anything available to rent in town in the meantime. Conner and Kara’s new home is almost done being built, so maybe the apartment above Patty’s will open up.”
“Kara says that it’s a few months out still,” Robin said. “You could always move in with me,” she said, half joking.
She felt his arms tense around her, but then he relaxed and chuckled. “I thought you wanted to keep this on the down-low?”
“I do,” she admitted as she tried to hide the anxiety. “Besides, I’m not really keen on giving up my privacy,” she lied quickly. “I’d be far too busy to entertain you.” She held her breath and heard a slight chuckle emanate from him.
“It doesn’t take much to keep me busy,” he replied. “But I wouldn’t dream of exposing our little… secret.” He placed a kiss just above her jawline. She relaxed back into his chest and watched as the seagulls floated overhead.
A passing thought jumped into her head.
“There’s a room.” She sat up a little. “It’s not much, a storeroom that I haven’t cleared out yet in the barn. I’ve been thinking of having it turned into another guest changing room of sorts. If you want, you’re welcome to it.”
“If I can’t find anything else in town, I may take you up on that offer,” he said as he shifted slightly. “We’re coming into Pride.” He nudged her over and stood up.
For the next few minutes, she helped him lower the sails and secure everything as he steered them back into the harbor.
When they’d left the docks, most of the slots had been empty. Now, almost every single one was filled with boats of all different sizes.
“What do you say to heading to the Oar for dinner?” he asked suddenly.
She thought about being seen with George at his family restaurant and held in a slight groan.
“We can do pizza instead?” he asked after watching her struggle with the idea.
It wasn’t that she was trying to hide being seen with him. After all, he’d been on babysitting duty and that had entailed being seen together around town for the past few months. But this was different somehow. Now that they’d been together, she was sure everyone in town would see it clearly written in her eyes.
The chance of running into some of his family at a restaurant owned and run by his family was fairly high. Besides, the pizzeria was a little more casual than the Golden Oar and, after today, she knew that she needed to keep things casual between them. If she wasn’t careful, she could see herself losing her hold.
“Pizza sounds good,” she said casually.
“Pizza it is then.”
Half an hour later, they stepped into Baked and were completely surrounded by a large group of members from the Jordan clan.
It was nice being swallowed by friendship and not one of his family members seemed to think that it was strange that they had arrived together.
However, her sister pulled her aside before they could order their pizza and pinched her in the side.
“What’s up? Why you are arriving with George?” Kara whispered.
“It’s nothing,” she said quickly, which caused Kara’s eyebrows to shoot up.
“Right, I don’t believe that for a second.” Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “You look… different.” Kara’s eyes ran over her face and her hair. “What did you do? Run here?”
“No, George took me sailing,” she whispered as she glanced around the crowded room.
George had blended into his family and if no one had witnessed them arriving together, there would have been no proof that they’d actually been together at all.
“Sailing?” Kara’s voice rose slightly.
“Shh.” Robin grabbed her good arm and nudged her a few steps away. “It’s nothing. He just happened to mention last night at the event that he was going out today and I asked to tag along. I’ve never been sailing and thought it would be fun.” She added a slight shrug to seal the story. “It was nothing. We just got back and decided to have a pizza.” She sighed. “Now, can I go order?”