Page 1 of Sweet Summertide

CHAPTER 1

One more bump,a slight shift or a sharp jolt of the train moving north along the tracks, and Holly’s wish would be granted. Not one for sitting still, she concentrated on her reflection in the window glass. Dark trees streamed past and provided the necessary contrast to observe her fair skin. She checked her pink lipstick, tugged her ponytail tight, and straightened the loops of her blue hair bow. She fluffed her long blonde curls hanging over her shoulder just as the landscape shifted from forest to farmland, and she could no longer see herself in the glass.

The train began a long turn through a shallow valley. A rhythmic bouncing caused Holly’s stomach to bobble towards her chest, and the passengers in the cabin to stir. This was her opportunity to share a new glance with the man sitting across the aisle from her. From her place facing forward on the train, and his facing towards the rear, it was hard not to catch his eyes. As it was, the last hour and a half had gone by far too slowly and looking at the man was the only thing entertaining her.

His dark brown hair, long but pulled back into a small knot, and his obviously tailored and pressed white collared shirt hadheld her imagination for longer than it would have under less boring circumstances.

She knew his sort; likely an associate at some high-power law firm but funded by his daddy’s money. She wasn’t passing judgment, of course. Growing up the daughter of a successful banker and the prettiest Kentucky debutante, meant that Holly knew her way around the upper crust of the up-state crowd. But this man, sitting near enough for her to catch the amber scent of his Chanel Bleu cologne, with his perfect posture and overly groomed facial hair, was juxtaposed by his man-bun and worn-in canvas messenger bag. His appearance offered her curious mind more questions than answers. But now, an introduction would be awkward after a dozen reciprocated smiles and without so much as a greeting passing between them.

“You’re staring,” the smooth masculine voice said and tore her from her contemplation.

Shaking her head at having been caught, she rolled her lips between her teeth. “I’m so sorry. I really wasn’t meaning to stare at you,” she said, though there was no law against people-watching.

So much for needing a bump in the tracks to allow her to interact with him when she could have just said ‘hello’. She did the next best thing to avoid further embarrassment and hid her eyes behind her hand until she was sure he’d lost interest. Despite her attempt to disappear, warm fingers gently peeled her self-made mask from her face. As light hit her lids, Holly peeked out of one cracked-open eye.

Parted lips and rounded cheeks framed a thin line of white teeth. “Hi,” he said, leaning across the walkway.

Opening her eyes fully and replacing the bewildered tension wrinkling her expression lines with a smile that matched his, she repeated his greeting. “Hi. I really wasn’t staring. I wasjust looking in that general direction and kind of, I don’t know, spaced out for a minute.”

“You don’t need to explain. I’m a very captivating man.”

“Aren’t you confident?”

He grinned. “Theodor, and I like to think I’m charming.” He extended his hand from where he sat alone in a group of conversation seats.

“Holly. Nice to meet you,” she said and reached her hand out in response. His fingers slid around her palm and cradled hers. She could feel him temper his strength as he relaxed his grip and released her. “I really am?—”

“Don’t you dare try to apologize again,” he said and settled back into his chair. “You were checking out my hair, huh?”

She swallowed down a giggle that she was sure was a taste of self-consciousness. “To be honest, kind of. I’ve been sitting here trying to figure you out.”

“Do I need figuring out?”

Wasn’t that the million-dollar question for anyone in their mid-twenties? Holly had been in a string of unproductive jobs and unsuccessful relationships since college, which had been a waste of her time. What she needed to figure out was how could a humanities degree help her with what she really wanted; to open an ice creamery inspired by the gardens of Monet. She should have gone to culinary school, or business school, but no, she had chosen a field of study for the singular purpose of studying abroad on her parents’ dime. Perhaps it was she who required figuring out, not Theodor. She shook her head. “I was only wondering where you’re heading.”

“I’m visiting a friend in Christmas Cove. Do you know it?”

She bit her lip thinking she might have cause to run into this man again. “Yes, actually. I’m from Elizabethtown, right next door.”Small world, she thought because the train had several more stops on its way.

“Small world, huh?” he said with friendly eyes.

“That’s what I was just thinking.” This time, a giggle did escape her throat. She didn’t know what to say next, and too much time had passed with them glancing at each other.

Theodor let out a strained sound of amusement and turned to gaze out his window. She supposed that was that; her insecurities ruining yet another promising interaction. Even with his head turned from her, she was helpless to peel her eyes away from him.

“You’re staring again,” he said and caught her gaze in the window’s reflection.

“I was watching the trees outside. Did you see the horses back there?” She saved herself with a white lie.

“Really? Horses?” he said with skepticism painted on his face.

“Yep,” she said with a head nod. “Lots of horses. Maybe you blinked and missed them because the train’s going so fast. You should really work on your watching skills.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice,” he said and returned to his view through the glass.

“Sure thing.” She wanted to die. “I’m usually better at this, I promise.”

He turned in his blue upholstered seat and faced her. His knees almost reached to her own, and he leaned in. “My name is Theodor Black. I’m from New York. My parents hate my life choices, and I’m running away to Christmas Cove to make a life for myself where no one knows me. I’m twenty-seven years old. Single. Good-looking, obviously, and I’m usually better at this too.” With his info-dump, he returned to his side of the aisle and fixed his eyes on the empty set of seats in front of him.

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