Page 126 of Banter & Blushes

“So, you gave up everything?”

He studied her for a moment. “Yeah. I gave up everything.” He paused, then gave her a long, speculative look. “What about you? You had a big-city job. Husband.” He stopped abruptly and shot her an uncomfortable look. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

“No.” She cut him off, shaking her head. “It’s okay.” There was a pause as she smoothed the bottom of her sweater over slender hips. “I think we both know what it’s like to leave things behind.”

“Maybe we have more in common than I thought.”

“Unwanted responsibility? Irritating relatives? Preferring cats to clambakes?”

“Flexible life plans?”

“Maybe, Beck.” Her voice softened. “You surprise me.”

“Good surprise or bad?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“Good thing we have all night,” he challenged, the warmth in his tone coaxing her defenses down. “What’s with the binder?”

Picking up a chunk of chicken, she looked at the stars appearing in the dark sky. “I like order. Knowing what to expect. The binder keeps my world manageable.”

“The universe doesn’t seem to like it when you have things all planned out.”

“I’ve noticed,” she sighed. “It’s an ongoing battle.”

“How’s it working out?”

She chewed her lip. “Maybe not as well as I thought.”

“Spontaneity, Hollis. See how it feels?”

“I’ll consider it,” she said with a lopsided smile.

The ease of his understanding took her by surprise. It was what she’d been afraid of. Maybe Sandy was right. He could break through with an off-hand comment, making her see what she wasn’t ready to admit.

“You’re not what I expected, Carter Beckett.”

“Good,” he said with quiet satisfaction, the handsome outline of his face soft as the night took over the sky.

There was safety in this. An ease she hadn’t known in a long time. Caroline leaned back in the beach chair, hoping it would catch herif she fell. The way Beck’s gaze met hers, honest and unguarded, made her breath catch in a way she wasn’t used to. “I didn’t expect you to say yes to this project,” she admitted softly. “You think I can pull this off without becoming mayor in absentia?”

“Depends,” he said, a serious undertone in his voice. “What are you hoping for?”

She considered his question, felt its weight. Her eyes drifted to the shore, waves glinting in the moonlight. “I remember Bluebell Bay as this magical place. Kids on the beach, shops bustling, families everywhere. The smell of barbecues, cotton candy and coconut sunscreen. You think we have a shot at making as it once was, again?”

“We?” Beck asked, a playful arch to his brow.

“Don’t let it go to your head, Beckett.”

He smiled, a slow, genuine smile which Caroline felt all the way to her toes. “We’ll pull it off,” he said. Beck watched her for a minute. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I guess I am.” She took another bite of casserole, which had turned cold on her plate. “Better than okay. It’s nice out here even if it is rather chilly.”

“Need another towel?” He was mocking her, but it didn’t sting.

“What I need is to be a little more prepared,” She looked down at her clothes and shaking her head. “I’m not exactly dressed for a night on the beach.”

He looked at her up and down with an expression causing her to blush. “I’d say you’re perfect for it.”

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