Page 17 of A Heart to Find
Her laughter returned as she gestured over her face and then pointed to his. “Looking like this?”
“We’d be the talk of the island.”
She leaned closer and cupped her hand around her mouth as if about to confide a deep, dark secret.
“Pretty sure we already are.”
The neighboring couples who hadn’t taken their eyes off the crazy exchange quickly shifted their attention back to their canvases, pretending nothing was amiss.
“At least let me walk you back to the hotel.”
“Thanks, but I think I’d like to have some alone time in the fresh air. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since we arrived, don’t you think?”
Respect her wishes. Respect her wishes. Respect her wishes.
He nodded, not trusting his words to come out the way they should.
“See you tomorrow?”
Was that a hopeful look she gave him? Did she actually want the next date?
“I noticed on our itinerary we were given reservations at the culinary arts center.”
“Oh boy. They’re going to trust us with sharp objects and fire?” Her eyebrows jolted upward.
“They’ll probably have us sign more waivers.”
She nodded and grinned, slipping into her coat before reaching for her canvas.
“Leave it here to dry. I’ll keep it safe until I get it to you.”
She thanked him and stared into his eyes for the slightest bit longer than she needed to.
He watched her say her goodbyes to the instructor and walk out the front door onto the island’s quaint Main Street.
He didn’t know what he’d do with himself the rest of the day, but he could guarantee it would include counting the breaths until he could see her again.
Chapter 4
Keira huffed to keep up with an excited Megan, relishing the burn in her lungs brought on by their swift pace and the cold sea air.
“I can’t even describe to you how romantic he is. He’s going out of his way to learn everything about me. We already know that we both want the same things—kids within a few years, a small house with a big backyard, an organic garden. How perfect, right?”
“I guess the matchmaking system really worked for you, Megan.” Keira reached out to touch Megan’s puff-jacket encased arm. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this.”
“I can’t tell you what your words mean to me, Keir. I know we only just met, but I feel closer to you than I do to my own sisters.”
Keira smiled and blinked away tears at the mention of sisters. Reminding herself that she was in life-rebuild mode, she straightened her shoulders and banished the sadness to the far reaches of her mind.
“I feel the same. Truly.”
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about your match. What a handsome one he is! He looks completely in love with you already.”
Keira’s cheeks burned. “He’s not.”
“What makes you say that? I’ve become pretty adept at reading people—it’s sort of a self-defense thing after what I’ve gone through in my relationships. That man has infatuation written all over his face.”
“To be honest, the whole thing is a disaster.”
