Page 37 of A Second Chance in Seabury
‘Fancy a lift?’ said David. ‘Or are you keen for another cycle?’
‘Lift. Definitely lift!’ said Hannah, with near-indecent haste. As much as she’d enjoyed the ride, it had been mostly uphill, and her legs were feeling more than a little bit wobbly. ‘Oh, but what about the bike…’
‘I’ll pop it in the back,’ said David. ‘We can drop it off at Moore Bikes on our way home.’
‘Actually, I’ve rented it from Lizzie until I leave town,’ said Hannah.
‘Great idea!’ said David. ‘In that case, I’ll drop it home with you!’
There it was again. The H word.
‘Thanks,’ said Hannah. ‘That’d be great. I’m not sure how much more my legs can take today!’
Sarah and Jason disappeared off up to the lighthouse, and with one last look over the fence at a contented-looking Bernard, Hannah followed David over to his truck, which was still parked near the paddock gateway.
‘Oh… I should warn you about something,’ said David, lifting Hannah’s bike as if it weighed no more than a feather, and popping it into the flatbed.
‘Oh?’ said Hannah, suddenly distracted. She’d just caught a quick flash of tanned, muscled stomach. It looked like Bee Daddy had hidden depths in more ways than one!
‘Erm… I had Jason’s bike in the back on the way here, so Bernard rode up in the front.’ David shot her an apologetic look. ‘It might smell a bit sheepy in there, and you’ll want to watch where you step.’
Hannah let out a snort of laughter. ‘Maybe I’ll cycle back after all!’ Even as she said it, she opened the door and hopped in. It would take a lot more than the handful of little turds in the footwell to make her turn down a lift right now!
Two seconds later, David hopped into his side and grinned across at her. ‘Ready?’
‘Sure.’
As they pulled out of the gateway, Hannah gave Bernard a farewell wave. The silence stretched between them as the truck bumped slowly back down the track. Hannah swallowed nervously and turned to stare out of the passenger window. After dashing around town hunting for David, it felt strangely intimate to be her own with him.
‘Jason’s turned into a lovely young man.’
The minute the words left her mouth, Hannah wanted to kick herself. She sounded like a fond eighty-year-old aunty! She’d only said it to break the silence.
‘I mean… he’s just…’
Shut up, Hannah!
‘Thanks,’ said David. ‘I’m not sure I’ve got much to do with it, though. He’s always been a special lad. I’m lucky.’
‘It’s more than just luck,’ said Hannah.
David smiled across at her. ‘Thanks for coming last night, by the way. I know the invitation was a bit out of the blue, but it meant a lot that you came.’
Hannah shrugged in surprise. ‘I loved every second of it.’
David nodded and focused back on the road. This was clearly a man who was more than comfortable with long silences. Hannah was going to have to take lessons!
‘I’m guessing he gets out on his bike a lot?’ she said, just for something else to say. ‘He pointed out all the little beaches and hidden pathways on our way up here. I’m sure Millie probably took me to some of them when I was little, but I don’t really remember.’ She paused, but when David didn’t say anything, she continued. ‘I wish I had more time to explore while I’m here…’
Hannah trailed off again, this time because the big dollop of regret had returned in full force.
‘Some of my favourite beachcombing spots are out this way,’ said David.
Hannah smiled. ‘You know, I’ve always been a bit jealous of the things you find.’
‘Really?’ David shot her a look of surprise.
Hannah nodded. ‘I tried it myself a few times, back when I visited with Gareth. Whenever I needed a break, I’d go down to West Beach and stomp along with my eyes down. I never found much other than a few limpets, though.’
