Chapter 7
Melinda picked up her office phone on the second ring, not bothering to look at caller ID.
“Hello, this is Melinda Phillips.”
“Hi Mel, it’s Adam.”
Melinda put down her pen and sat back in the chair. Smiling she said, “Hi there. How are you since your date with Susan?”
“I’m fine.” She could hear the grin in his voice. “Hey I was just sitting here thinking. It’s a nice day and since we’re still waiting on the building permit for your place would you like to have lunch with me today?”
At a loss for words she wasn’t sure how to respond. She should say no, but she was surprised to realize she wanted to say yes, but was he asking as a reaction to his lackluster date with Susan? She hadn’t gone out to lunch in ages with anyone.
“Adam, that’s really nice of you to offer, but I’m up to my eyeballs in work.”
“Oh, come on. It’s sunny and warm and there’s a seafood place, the Salty Dog, that I’ve been dying to try, only about thirty minutes down the coast.” Before she could say no, he plunged ahead. “It’s no fun to go to a cool new place by yourself.”
She bit her bottom lip. Making a snap decision she said, “Sounds like fun. But,” she chuckled, “if I get in trouble with the boss for goofing off, I’m blaming you.”
“Not a problem. Besides, I think she likes me, so I’m sure she’d encourage you to take off for a while.”
Mel was shocked when she heard herself actually laugh with a snort.
“What time will you swing by or do you want me to meet you there?” She pushed back from the desk and stretched one arm overhead.
“Look out your window.”
Melinda pushed the curtain away from the side-lites next to the front door. She grinned. “Adam, I gotta let you go. There is some guy waving at me from the driveway.”
She hit the disconnect button on the phone and swung the door open. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. Leaning against the doorjamb, she smirked. “You were pretty sure I’d say yes.”
Adam sauntered up the walkway. “Let’s just say I was cautiously optimistic. With the lure of fresh seafood and my sparkling conversation, well, I think the combination speaks for itself. Besides, if all else failed I was going to beg you to take pity on a new friend.”
“I need to grab my keys and lock up.” She deliberately tossed a teasing look over her shoulder. “We’ll take my car.”
He protested, “I can drive, my truck is gassed up and ready to roll.”
She ignored him and closed the front door firmly after her, and within minutes the garage door slid open on its tracks. He stepped to one side as she backed the car out. Melinda grinned when he hopped into the passenger seat.
“Buckle up.” She flashed him a wide smile. She pushed a button and the trunk lifted up, and then the hard top disconnected and folded into the trunk space. When the trunk went back down, she grinned.
His smile widened and he plopped his ball cap on his head, forgoing sunglasses as the brim shaded his eyes. “I had no idea this was a convertible.”
“Leave it to the Swedes to make a Volvo sedan not just luxurious but also with flair.” She secured a scarf around her hair and pushed her sunglasses into place “If we’re going on an adventure in this kind of weather, the only way to do it properly is with the top down.”
She backed out and cruised down the street, driving through downtown Chester. She could see Adam out of the corner of her eye. He looked relaxed and happy, just like she felt.
After she got through the town, he gave her directions to the restaurant. They were going to pretty much follow the coast until the road veered east, driving until they ran out of black top. Adam had taken his ball cap off and held it in his hand. With his short blonde hair, he didn’t have to worry about the wind whipping it into his face, but Melinda had to do a one-handed twist to get her hair out of her eyes. The sun was glorious on her bare arms. When was the last time I left work before the end of the day? she wondered.
“Do you often take off on a whim?” She had to speak louder than normal with the wind carrying her words away.
“No, but it’s a nice treat, don’t you think?”
Keeping her eyes on the road she nodded. “I’m glad you stopped over. It is too nice to be stuck inside all day.”
“Stick with me, Mel, and we can have all kinds of impromptu adventures.”
His comment was curious—was it in the context of friends or was he implying something more? A flush of color rose in his cheeks, giving his complexion a handsome ruddy look.
“So tell me, Adam, how do you like living in Chester? Do you find it a touch dull from other places you’ve lived?”
“I have been lucky to live in a lot of places.” He paused. “You know, every place has its own kind of beauty. Even when I was deployed. War is hell, but there were moments when I could appreciate the landscape and the people who lived there. But if you’re talking the United States, Camp Pendleton in San Diego, that was probably my favorite. I lived off base and the weather is spectacular.”
“I remember reading about Pendleton. I seem to recall it was supposed to be a temporary facility in the ’40s, but then it was turned into a permanent base.”
He nodded. “You are spot on.” He gave her a warm look. “After all the places I’ve lived, I’ve come to appreciate small-town life.”
Her breath caught. Was he implying he might have found his home in Chester? Why did she suddenly seem to want him to stay?
Mel said, “When I moved from Philadelphia to Chester, it was a bit of a culture shock for me. I lived in a development with a lot of neighbors, and here, not so much. There is more land per house here. I’ve been able to really expand my gardens and I like the fact there is a nice breeze from the ocean most of the time.”
Joking, he asked, “Even in the winter months?”
She did a one-shoulder shrug. “I’ll admit it gets cold here, but not any different than Philly.”
“I haven’t gotten through a winter here yet.”
“A hat, gloves and a down jacket will get you through the worst of it.” She laughed. “And book all inside jobs.”
He wagged his finger at her and chuckled. “Now that is a brilliant idea.”
Glimpses of the ocean on the right popped up from time to time as they drove in companionable silence. Adam pointed to a road sign. “Looks like our turn is just ahead.”
“That’s a good thing, I’m starving. I just realized I never ate breakfast.”
He gave her a sharp look. “Not good, Mel. You should eat a little something.”
She was surprised to see he was very serious—her breakfast habits were none of his concern. She couldn’t help keeping the defensive tone from her voice. “Normally I do, but today I jumped right into the pile of emails I had.”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that. Sometimes I get a little pushy and overstep boundaries.”
She got the feeling he let the rest of his thought hang. “No big deal.” She slowed the car and turned on her blinker, taking a sharp right. Stones kicked up from the edge of the pavement. The posted speed limit kept her puttering down the narrow two-lane road.
“Do you know anyone who’s eaten here?”
Adam’s fingers tapped on the door. The look on his face was absolutely without a care in the world. “A couple of clients and I saw”—he pointed to a small weathered sign painted in bright blue letters— “that sign last week and just decided we needed to come.”
She saw the entrance to the dock and turned into the parking lot. Boats were tied along rows of wood and metal docks. The sound of a bell chimed in time with the rise and fall of the vessels.
“Hopefully it was a good day for fishing.” She turned the car off, leaving the top down. “Ready?”
Adam got out of the car and waited for her to do the same. As they crossed the asphalt, she ducked quickly to avoid a seagull diving out of the sky. She stumbled. Adam reached out a steadying hand. He held her tight in his arms for a moment, and she could smell his musky aftershave. Looking up she was shocked to see a spark of interest lingering there.
“Um,” she stammered. She lowered her lashes and then looked up again. The expression was gone. Her heart skipped in her chest. “Thanks.”
His voice was soft, but he hadn’t let go of her. Not yet. “Are you okay? You didn’t twist an ankle or something?”
“No.” She held her breath. Waiting for what, she wasn’t sure, but it did feel good to be held. It had been a long time.
Adam ran his hands down her arms slowly before letting her go. He cleared his throat. Glancing towards the end of the pier, he said in an off-handed way, “There’s the Salty Dog.”
After taking a step back, her breath returned to normal. Her reaction was from the fear of falling. Nothing more than that, she told herself.
His hand skimmed over hers. As if he was going to hold it as they walked the rest of the way. She slowed, putting more space between them.
“Best watch out for the birds. They’re like vultures when they think there’s a chance for an easy meal.” He pointed to the sky. “It’s like someone rang the dinner bell.”
She gave a strained laugh. At least that was how it sounded to her ears. “They must equate people with food.” Determined to put their conversation back on easy street, she said, “It must take a lot of hard work to be a commercial fisherman. Always putting your faith and wallet on the hopes it’ll be a good day at sea.”
“Sometimes faith can go a long way to giving you what you need or want most.” He gave her a guarded look. “You must believe in fate. After all, isn’t the matchmaking business more than hoping you’ve found someone a good match? People have to have faith in your abilities.”
She gave him a sidelong look. “I guess you’re right. Most people do trust me to find them their happily ever after.”
They reached the door. The smell of fish and the chatter of people talking inside permeated the air. Holding his hand on the doorknob, he didn’t open it.
His eyes captivated her. They were unreadable. “I trust you with my heart.”
Humbled didn’t describe how she felt in that instant. She placed her hand on his arm. Her heart constricted. “I promise she’s out there.”
Adam gave a half nod and pulled the door open. “After you.”