Page 39 of A Second Chance in Seabury
‘Oh wow!’ she breathed, staring up and down the stunning cove. There wasn’t a single footprint in the sand. The winding, almost hidden path they’d just followed was clearly the only way on and off the beach.
‘Welcome to Honeypot Cove,’ said David, sucking in a deep breath.
Hannah listened as he let it out again slowly, then watched as a near-blissful smile settled comfortably onto his tanned face. She wandered forwards a couple of steps and promptly lowered herself to the sand.
‘You won’t find any treasures that way!’ chuckled David.
‘Don’t worry,’ she laughed, quickly untying the laces of her boots and stripping them off her hot feet, closely followed by her horribly mismatched socks. ‘Ahhh… that’s better.’
‘Woman after my own heart!’ said David, as she wriggled her toes into the velvety sand, admiring the way it glistened in the sunlight.
‘Right… now I’m ready!’ she chuckled, wriggling around and attempting to stand back up. Unfortunately, her legs had other ideas. ‘Okay, so perhaps sitting down was a bad plan!’
‘Here.’
David held out his hand, and she grabbed it. Before she knew what was happening, he’d pulled her to her feet with so much force that she careened into him. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, holding her steady.
Hannah could feel the solid strength of him, and there was that scent again… honey and cinnamon and… just… him.
‘Thanks,’ she said, her voice a husky rasp.
‘My pleasure,’ he murmured.
Hannah felt the word rumble through his chest. She let her eyes wander upwards until they met his. David grinned at her, small creases fanning at the corner of his eyes—the same vivid blue as the sea behind him.
‘Right,’ she said, swallowing. ‘I’m ready for all your secrets.’
David cocked his head, and for a long moment, he just held her gaze. Hannah felt her knees give another traitorous wobble… though she had a feeling it had nothing to do with the ridiculous amount of exercise she’d done that morning.
‘Well… you’re already off to a good start,’ he rumbled.
‘Really?’
David nodded. ‘First secret of the beach—shoes and socks off. Second secret? Paddle.’ At last, he broke eye contact and, kicking off his shoes, he took off towards the sea without letting go of her hand.
Hannah let out a surprised giggle as he picked up speed, and the pair of them scurried down the beach, sand kicking up behind them as they headed for the shallows.
‘It’s only polite to say hello to the sea before we start!’ David puffed, grinning at her and giving her hand a gentle squeeze as the waves lapped at his ankles.
Hannah nodded, loving the feel of the cold water between her toes. It was clear and blue and perfect. This would be such a lovely spot to swim in the summer… not that she’d ever get thechance to experience it now. She wasn’t ever going to experience a Seabury summer again…
Hannah’s happy little bubble burst, leaving her feeling like a limp balloon.
‘You okay?’ said David, glancing at her.
‘Yeah. Just wishing I’d discovered this place years ago, that’s all.’
‘But you’re here now,’ said David. ‘With me.’
She nodded, trying to swallow the sorrow.
‘If life’s taught me one thing, it’s that you’ve got to enjoy the good stuff while it’s happening. We never know what’s coming next… and worrying about it steals all the magic and joy from the present.’
Hannah nodded. ‘You’re so right.’
‘Things have a habit of sorting themselves out,’ he said, squeezing her hand, ‘and while they’re busy doing that, we search for treasure!’
David suddenly let go of her hand, and Hannah felt strangely bereft. It had felt so natural to stand there with her fingers wrapped in his. But now he was bent low, scooping his hands through the seafoam at their feet.
