Page 79 of Capturing You
She hadn’t realized how stuffy the house was until she stepped into the sunshine.
The patio floor sloped downward toward a waist-high wrought iron railing, but the angle was nothing like the pitched roofs surrounding it on three sides.
Beyond the rail, she spied the cove where she’d taken photos two days before, the headlands on either side jutting into the Atlantic. She stepped in that direction, but Ford grabbed her arm. “You don’t want to be seen.”
“Oh, right. Thanks.” Once again, the man had protected her, this time from her own awe.
How did she keep doubting him when he kept proving himself to her over and over? He wasn’t only protective, though. This…this was one more piece of evidence proving his thoughtful, generous nature.
“I figured you were getting cabin fever.” He set the tray on a small café table between two chairs right beside the door.
Were they the same table and chairs she’d seen in the basement when he’d rescued her? She thought so, meaning he’d found them and carried them up three…no, four flights. They were clean, so he’d wiped them down. And swept the rooftop.
She dropped her head back, closed her eyes, and lifted her face to the sunshine. “This is glorious.”
“It’s kind of messy.”
She heard the closing of the door, and then the glasses were lifted from her hands. After another full breath, she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Another wondrous secret.”
He set the glasses on the table, then removed the plates and silverware from the tray. “You don’t get out much, do you?”
She laughed. Had she been annoyed with him before? Whatever irritation remained flew away on the breeze, along with her fears and worries.
“It’s a widow’s walk,” Ford said. “Not exactly a secret, considering you can see it from the beach. Have a seat.” He waited until she did before settling across from her.
“Was the original owner of this house a sailor?” Widow’s walks were designed for people to watch for their loved ones’ return from long voyages, thus named because so many never made it home.
“No idea. My research doesn’t go back that far. He was obviously eccentric. Maybe he just wanted the rooftop view.”
“It is lovely.” She regarded the Asian dish that smelled so good. “What is this?”
“Pad Thai.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be. The sauce came out of a jar. All I did was cook the noodles.”
“And slice and sauté the vegetables.” She used her fork to unearth a bite of pork. “And cook the meat.”
He shrugged. “I needed a break. Seemed only fair, since you’ve done so much cooking.”
She swirled her fork in the rice noodles but paused when he cleared his throat.
“Should we ask a blessing?”
“Oh, right.” She smiled, nodding toward him. “Go ahead.”
His flash of surprise didn’t surprise her. But he covered it and bowed his head. “Lord, thank You for the food and the sunshine. Help us figure out what’s going on, and the people behind it. Keep Brooklynn safe. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
“Amen.” She smiled at him. “Thank you. I’d sort of like you to stay safe too.”
“I’m fine. Eat.”
“Loquacious, as always.”
Taking her first bite, she closed her eyes to savor the flavors. Salty and spicy and sweet. She swallowed and wiped her mouth. “Delicious.”
Another shrug.
