Page 6 of Awake in Cheshire Bay
“That is unfortunate.”
“It is what it is.”
One of several bays along the west coast was visible from the top of the hill we crested.
“The motel is coming up on our left and if you’re still up for a walk after you’ve checked in, there’s a path just behind and you can follow it along the embankment all the way over to a lighthouse. Friends of mine just got engaged there a couple of weeks ago.”
“It is of a romantic nature, this walk?”
I laughed. “No, not at all. It was for them. They had their first date there or something like that. It’s well used by townsfolk and tourists alike, and the lighthouse at the end doesn’t work anymore, so anyone can walk up and check it out.”
A lot of daredevils also got frisky there too, or so I heard via town gossip.
I drove down the hill and turned into the parking lot, stopping just outside the office door. “Well, here you go. They’ll take great care of you inside.”
“Thank you. You have been most helpful.”
“My pleasure.” I leaned on my steering wheel.
He opened the door and slid onto the pavement. “Forgive for being forward, as I do not know you, but you have plans this evening?”
I had a stack of paperwork to get through, but nothing pressing. My friends were busy and once the airport situation was under control, I was sure they’d rather go home. I shook my head.
He hung off the open door. “Path behind here, it is long?”
“A couple of kilometers, if that. Nice and leisurely walk, packed dirt though.”
“If I can handle that, care to join? You can send location to friend.” He pointed to the phone I had resting in its holder on my dash. It was hard to argue with his logic, and even harder to resist the charming grin on the edges of his lips.
I listened for the warning chime of bells… nothing. They were radio silent. Swallowing, I nodded. “You’re on.”
Chapter Three
What the hell was I doing agreeing to go on a walk with this strange guy? Someone needed to lock me up and throw away the key. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the type of person to throw caution to the wind and go with my gut. Every action was well thought out and perfectly executed, especially over the past few years.
I couldn’t afford to be careless.
“All booked?”
He strutted over with the confidence of a thousand men. “Yes. Three rooms, and one on end. Ocean view. Thank you.”
“Yeah, no prob.” I kicked at a pebble in the gravel and threw my gaze away from him out over to the bay.
The sun was inching out from under the heavy blanket of clouds, peeking between the gaps. It felt like it had been days since I’d seen it last.
Mr. Welsh stepped a little closer, blocking my view. “You hungry?”
My stomach rumbled a reminder of exactly how much I was. I hadn’t eaten since before lunch, and it was approaching the supper hour. “I suppose I could eat.” I shrugged casually, seeing as there wasn’t any harm in dining with this stranger. “Sure, why not?”
“How this to eat?” He pointed to the diner attached to the motel.
Rumours around town stated the place was the number one cause for food poisoning.
I shook my head, my curls fanning out with the motion. “I’m not one to throw anyone under the bus, but I’d avoid it. There are better places up the road.”
“I follow your lead.” He came to stand beside me.
“First, can I ask you something?”