Chapter 7
MAE
‘That’s what happens when you’re having fun.’
‘Is that what we’re doing?’
‘Ouch. I thought so.’
‘I’m kidding. I’ve enjoyed myself. Thank you.’ I reached for my coat and realized I’d left my wallet in the car. ‘Ah. Problem.’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I haven’t got my wallet.’
‘That’s convenient.’
‘I didn’t do it on purpose. I just got out of the car to stretch my legs. You’re the one who suggested we come in here.’
‘I was always coming in here. You just decided to tag along.’
‘That makes me sound like a puppy.’
‘It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.’ He took his wallet out of his pocket and removed a few bills, placing them on the table. ‘I’ve got it.’
A thought occurred to me. ‘I can use my phone to pay.’
He snorted. ‘Not a chance. Jack’s in the process of dragging this place into the twenty-first century, but I don’t think he’s quite there yet.’
‘I’ll pay you back.’
‘It’s fine.’
‘I want to,’ I insisted.
‘What if I don’t want you to?’
‘I’ll do it anyway.’
He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, so close I could see the windburn on his cheeks, and the light sprinkle of freckles across his strong nose. He was rugged and handsome and so, so sexy.
‘Tell you what,’ he said. ‘If it’ll make you feel better, you can shout next time.’
‘What makes you think there’s going to be a next time?’
‘I’m hopeful.’
I felt my insides warm like butter under his gaze. ‘I suppose it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.’
‘Wow, you really know how to make a guy feel wanted.’ He stared at me shrewdly. ‘Why are you moving here?’
‘I told you. A new job.’
‘I have a feeling that’s just the official line. No one moves here in the middle of winter if they can help it. There must be more to the story. Not many people would uproot their whole life “just” for a job. Are you sure there isn’t another reason?’
I found a scratch on the table suddenly riveting. ‘I just needed a fresh start.’
‘You want to know what I think?’
‘No. But I have a feeling you’re going to tell me anyway.’
‘I think you’ve had a bad breakup.’
My head shot up. ‘What? Why would you say that?’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘That’s usually what makes people decide that moving to a small town on the coast is a good idea. They have this romantic ideation of small-town life, fueled by Hollywood movies.’
‘Movies? For your information, I don’t have a lot of time to watch those.’
He gave me a look that I swear saw right through me. ‘OK. I’m not going to pry.’
‘Isn’t that what you’re doing?’
‘I’m just a curious guy. But whatever brings you here, welcome to Pine Harbor.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Where are you staying?’
‘Somewhere called Shore Cottage.’
‘I know where that is. It’s not far from town.’
‘Good to know.’ The last few weeks had suddenly caught up to me and it was a struggle to keep my eyes open. I yawned.
‘Come on,’ he said, getting to his feet. ‘I’ll walk you back to your car.’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘I know. But it’s just the kind of guy I am. I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight without knowing you were safely where you needed to go.’
It was late, dark and I was in a strange town. I wasn’t going to argue. ‘OK. Thanks.’
‘Night, Jack,’ he called out to the man behind the bar as he opened the front door of the restaurant for me.
The cold air rushed in, and I shivered, pulling my coat tighter around me.
Outside, the snow was steadily falling, the tiny flakes spinning in the light from the streetlights.
I went to step off the curb and felt my boot slide out in front of me.
For a moment, time froze, as I felt myself flail, knowing I was about to take a fall into the street.
I must have squeaked or something, because Jonah was beside me in less than a second, catching me before I could fall.
I reached up and clung to him without thinking.
‘I’ve got you,’ he said in a low voice, looking down at me with eyes that were incredibly dark in the night.
The words and the way he said them made me feel light-headed.
From the safety of his embrace I looked up at him, the breath sticking in my throat.
If a camera had loomed out of the darkness right then and a director had yelled, ‘Cut! Let’s run that from the top,’ I wouldn’t have been at all surprised.
Everything about this night had been surreal.
Arriving in this picturesque town, meeting Jonah, enjoying a meal with him.
Now here I was, in his arms with his face close to mine, his eyes intense, his lips right there.
I had never wanted a man to kiss me more in my life, and the shock of how much I wanted it left me speechless.
‘You need to be more careful,’ he said, straightening up and returning me to an even keel.
‘I’m not drunk.’
‘I didn’t say you were.’
‘Good. Glad to hear it.’
‘The ground gets slippery when it snows. It catches us all out sometimes.’
Realizing that I was still holding on to him, I quickly let go. ‘I have walked on snow before,’ I muttered.
He reached out and took my hand again, tucking it into the crook of his. ‘Where’s your car?’
I pointed across the park. ‘Over there.’
‘Come on, let’s get you out of this cold.’ He shook his head. ‘And I hope that the next time I see you, you’ll be wearing something a bit more sensible for December in Maine.’
‘Yes, sir,’ I murmured. ‘This coat will be officially retired until autumn.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
At my car I pushed the button to unlock it, then Jonah opened the door, holding it wide for me while I climbed inside.
‘Do you know where you’re going?’ he asked, leaning down.
‘No, but I have directions.’ I pulled out the piece of paper and squinted to read it in the weak light from the streetlamp. ‘It’s… which way is east?’
He chuckled. ‘Wait here. I’ll pull my truck around and you can follow me.’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘If there’s one thing you need to learn about me, Mae, it’s that I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.’
‘Never?’
‘Never. Like I said, I won’t be able to sleep unless I know you’ve made it there safely. Speaking of which…’ he kicked my front tire ‘…these aren’t suitable for our roads. First thing tomorrow I’ll call my friend Connor. He owns the local auto repair shop and can sort you out with some new tires.’
I knew better by now than to protest. ‘Thanks. But just to be clear, I’m paying for them.’
He smiled. ‘Of course.’
While I waited for him to pull his truck around, I adjusted the rearview mirror and checked to see if I looked as bewildered as I felt.
‘Get a grip, Mae,’ I muttered. ‘This is not one of your movies. This is real life, and he’s just a nice guy who, for whatever reason, decided to look out for you tonight. That’s it.’
I jumped at the honk of a horn, as his trucks headlights swept around the corner and performed a U-turn.
Starting the engine, I fell into place behind him and followed as he headed out of town slowly.
So slowly that I knew it was for my benefit, but I appreciated it.
I could feel the tires losing traction occasionally, so even though it was only a five-minute drive like he’d said, my knuckles were white by the time we turned down a short driveway and pulled up.
I only felt myself relax when I knew the drive was over and I could turn the car off.
Jonah helped me get my bags out of the car and then stood back to let me lead the way down a short, snow-covered path through some trees to the cottage.
Solar lights twinkled in the undergrowth, lighting the way, and the front porch light had been left on for me, assumedly by the real estate agent who knew I would be arriving today.
I couldn’t see much of my new home in the darkness, but that could wait.
All I wanted to do was get inside and crawl into a bed.
I didn’t even care if it was made at that point.
A blanket and a pillow and I’d be happy.
I opened my purse and pulled out the key that the agent had sent me and unlocked the front door, reaching in and fumbling my hand over the wall until it connected with a light switch.
‘Is this really all you’ve brought with you?’ Jonah asked, trudging up the steps behind me with my bags in his hands.
‘Yeah. Why?’
‘It’s just not a lot. The women I know take more bags than this for a weekend away.’
‘It’s all I need for now.’ I yawned again. ‘If I decide I want the rest of my things I can get them sent here.’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘If? Doesn’t sound like you’re all that sure about staying.’
‘I gave up my job and my apartment and left my friends and family behind,’ I reminded him. ‘That’s pretty sure. But there’s always the possibility I won’t like it, so I’m not fully committing just yet.’
He put a hand against his chest. ‘How could you not like it when I’m here?’
‘Hard to believe, isn’t it?’
He opened his mouth to say something, but as he did, his phone went off with a loud notification.
‘Sorry,’ he said, taking it out of his pocket.
‘I don’t use this thing a hell of a lot so I have no idea what…
’ He trailed off, his brow furrowed as he stared at it.
‘Five missed calls and a message,’ he said, sounding confused.
The way he was holding the phone I could clearly see the screen, and although I wanted to be polite and look away, I saw the name, Anna, and my curiosity got the better of me.
Where the hell are you? Call me, NOW!
‘Is everything OK?’ I asked.
‘I’m not sure.’ He put his phone back in his pocket and shook his head. ‘But I’d better go.’
‘Of course. I’ve held you up long enough.’
His face softened. ‘You haven’t held me up at all. I enjoyed tonight.’
‘So did I.’
‘Maybe we could do this again sometime?’
I hesitated, feeling torn. I loved the idea of it, but the message from Anna had thrown me off. ‘Maybe.’
His phone went off again and he muttered a curse word. ‘I have to go. You’ll be OK?’
‘Of course. I plan on falling asleep as soon as you leave.’
He smiled as he left. ‘In that case, sweet dreams. And welcome again to Pine Harbor.’
I stood in the doorway as he reversed and drove out of the driveway, watching his taillights until they disappeared around a bend in the road.
It was only then that I realized I had no way of contacting him.
No last name, no phone number. But maybe that had been his intention all along, I thought, feeling disappointment heavy in my stomach.
Was Anna a girlfriend? Wife? He wasn’t wearing a ring, and he had said he was single back at the restaurant.
But it certainly wouldn’t be the first time someone had lied about their relationship status.