Page 34 of Saltwater Promises
Chapter 15
That weekend, Lynn was invited to the gallery on Orcas Island to be part of another exhibition. She was happy to accept. A few of her friends would be there, and she already knew where she wanted to stay.
Plus it would give her a chance to see Mike again. Not that she needed an excuse to see him. They were friends, after all, and from their many years in the FBI, they both had secrets that they could discuss with no one else. There was a camaraderie between them. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
Her self-delusion didn’t last long, though. She knew it wasn’t just a friendship. That wasn’t what she wanted. That wasn’t what she’deverwanted. Not really.
As she packed her suitcase, Lynn decided that she was done lying to herself. She was in deep, and she was too old and too wise to play games. This time would be different. This time, she was going to be honest with herself, and with Mike.
The thought arrived so quietly that it didn’t seem like a big revelation, but it was everything. Sometimes, life’s biggest changes fail to arrive with a parade or a party. There are no cakes or streamers, no announcements to mark the significance at all. The biggest changes can arrive like a whisper, easily missed, as subtle as the sound of the last bus of the night rolling away.
This time would be different.Shewas different. She wasn’t going to let Mike run off and leave her without an explanation.
She gave Mike a call to let him know that she’d be in the area again, and he suggested that they spend some time together on Saturday before her show. Lynn didn’t even pretend to be busy. She told him that she had the whole day free. But she did decline his offer to pick her up in the plane. She’d like to feel like she had some control over the situation.
She checked into the hotel at noon, and as soon as she dropped her bag off in the room, she got a call from Mike.
“I’m down in the lobby,” he said. “Have you seen this bar?”
“I think so?”
“It looks like a speakeasy or something. Historical, you know? It’s classy. I think that helps people justify drinking at noon.”
Lynn laughed. “Yes, they need to commit to that speakeasy feel.”
When she got down to meet him, he told her that he’d booked a winery tour for them, and it included wine tasting.
Lynn eyed the tickets in his hand. “I see now why you’re trying to justify drinking at noon. You don’t want to look like a delinquent.”
He nodded. “It was all part of the plan.”
“Very clever. Luckily, I don’t have any hang ups about drinking wine midday.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I’m an artist. I’m supposed to be unpredictable.”
He laughed.
Gah. Lynn loved that laugh.
“All right then. Shall we?”
The winery and vineyard were on the other side of the island, at the end of a long and winding gravel road. It was quiet and peaceful as they pulled up, and when Lynn stepped out of the car, the sight took her breath away. The gentle rolling hills of the vineyard were framed by the view of an imposing mountain in the background. The sun filtered through the leaves of the tall trees surrounding them as birds flitted to and fro.
She stood there for a moment, absorbing it, before snapping a picture with her phone. Though the picture didn’t do the scene justice, she wanted to remember this place, this feeling. Perhaps she could return and do a painting?
Mike waited quietly, watching her.
When she was done, she cleared her throat and apologized. “Sorry, it just struck me.”
He shook his head. “No problem. I was hoping that you’d like it.”
They went inside and took their place on the tour. Lynn had a hard time paying attention, though. Her mind kept wandering – she had so many questions.
Why had Mike bought these tickets? Was it really just because he thought it was a pretty place, and that she’d appreciate it?
That was possible, but it certainly seemed like… a romantic thing to do. Or was she imagining things?
