Jonathan smiled. “Just as well, then, that your daughter didn’t notice.”
“That’s for sure.”
They walked half a block without saying anything, the silence growing more awkward by the step until Jonathan broke it.
“I owe you an apology,” he said. “A few of the things I said about Kate last Saturday night were uncalled for, and I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.”
Sarah had wondered if he would bring that up and now she was glad he had decided to clear the air.
“Apology accepted. I figured you must be pretty stressed, what with moving, starting a new job, helping your daughter adjust to a new home.”
“I appreciate the benefit of doubt, but I was out of line. It won’t happen again.”
She believed him. He’d seemed much more at ease tonight, and he and Kate were definitely more at ease with one another.
They were halfway down the hill and on their way to the beach—Petey leading the way on little legs that were, as Casey had described, going “a mile a minute”—when it dawned on Sarah that they hadn’t started out with a destination in mind. “We can walk along the seawall, if you like.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I run down there and back almost every morning.”
Oh, I know you do. I see you almost every morning. Not the time to confess to practically being a stalker.
“You must like to stay in shape,” she said instead. “For teaching, I mean. And coaching.” Not for the sake of curious neighborhood women peeking through their curtains at dawn. When had she become that woman? The answer was obvious When this man had moved next door.
“It definitely helps me keep up with my students and the kids on the teams I’ve coached,” Jonathan said. “I’ve been running since I was in high school. What about you?”
“Me? A runner? Oh my goodness, no. Yoga and aqua-fit are more my speed.”
“Also great ways to stay in shape.”
She glanced at up at him, saw he was watching her and liked what she saw in those blue, blue eyes. Humor, the prospect of friendship. Possibly the promise of something more. Startled, she looked away. That had been a moment and he’d felt it, too. Did she want this? Was she ready?
For several minutes they walked in awkward silence, crossed Shoreline Boulevard and turned onto the walkway that hugged the seawall and wound its way around the bay. Petey led the way on his fully extended leash, ears flapping, short little legs scissoring along the pavement.
“So.” She tried to inject a little less awkwardness into the silence, only to discover she didn’t know what to say.
“So,” he echoed. “This is a great town.”
“It is. I love it here.” She was grateful to have the conversation shift to safe, neutral ground, too. “Especially at this time of year, after the tourists leave. Don’t get me wrong, though. I love tourists. They bring a lot of business to Serenity Bay. But once school starts in September, those of us who live here year-round get our town back. Then it feels like home again, like a real community.”
“Tourists only come during the summer?” he asked.
“Oh, no. We get visitors all year, but the majority are here in July and August. That’s when all the hotels and campgrounds in the area are at capacity, every berth at the marina is occupied. A lot of downtown businesses have sidewalk sales, and restaurants and even the deli across the street from my store set up outdoor patios.”
Petey stopped to sniff a small piece of driftwood that someone had dropped on the path.
“That’s what it was like when I was here in July,” Jonathan said. “When I signed the lease for the house. The real estate agent assured me that by the end of the summer, it wouldn’t be so busy.”
The dog picked up the stick and gave it a shake and a toss and snatched it up again as though it were something alive.
“Come on, Petey. Let’s go.” Sarah urged him with a gentle tug. The dog pranced ahead again, proudly carrying the little bit of wood like a prize catch. “Silly dog.”
“He’s a cute little guy, that’s for sure.”
“Have you noticed how everyone smiles as they walk by?”
“Oh, yes. You know how this is going to turn out, don’t you?”
“You mean with Casey wanting to keep him?” she asked.
“I was thinking more along the lines of Casey’s mom wanting to keep him.”
She looked up at him, caught the laughter in his eyes and sighed. “I really want to not want to keep him.”
He laughed at that and let it go. “So, about Serenity Bay. When did you move here?”
She was glad to revert to the previous topic of conversation and grateful not to be put on the spot about keeping the dog. She suspected he might be right, but that didn’t mean she was anywhere even close to admitting it.