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Hell, Gideon could be a serial killer for all I know.
Okay, fine, a man who volunteers his time and private plane to transport animals to no-kill shelters probably isn’t a serial killer, but he could be awful in other ways. He could throw his recycling in the normal trash or pick his nose in public or take loud business calls in the coffee shop.
Or, even worse…he could be married. He looks like he’s in his late thirties and all the good guys are off the market by then. My New York City girlfriends in their thirties are always complaining about the lack of fish in the dating sea.
The chances that this sweet, handsome, confident, wealthy man—private planes don’t come cheap—is single are slim to none. He’s likely either married or happily cohabitating with the long-term woman of his dreams.
Letting this crush get any more out of hand would be a serious mistake.
Determined to keep things professional from here on out, I start the car and pull around to the front of the terminal, where Gideon and the nice man in blue have managed to get all but one rambunctious puppy into his kennel.
Bacon, however, still zooms back and forth in front of the entrance, making the doors open and close over and over again as he gambols past, easily avoiding the grasp of both men as he romps through the puddles.
I’m about to step out to help when my cell bleats several times, one right after the other. I reach into my coat pocket, grateful my phone didn’t sustain any damage in the fall.
I only have one bar, but it was enough for Maya’s texts to make it through—I’m so sorry, Syd, but there aren’t any rooms available. The Knolls B&B is closed for repairs, and the Rose and Bramble doesn’t take pets.
I did have an idea, though! You could let the pilot and the puppies stay at the lighthouse, and you could come to my place for a sleepover. That way you don’t have to share the house with a stranger.
Though, if you wanted to stay at your place, you could always make the pilot sleep upstairs in the lantern room. He might not get much rest since it’s so loud up there on a rainy night, but he’d be farther away from your room and you’d have more privacy. Anyway! Hope you’re safe and let me know what you want to do when you have the chance. I don’t mind, either way.
Love you!
“Privacy,” I murmur as I glance outside to see Gideon scooping Bacon into his arms, his muscles flexing deliciously under his sweater.
That’s the problem, Maya, I think. I don’t want privacy. I want as much time with this man as I can get before he leaves tomorrow.
But he’s married, I remind myself. He has to be married. And even if he isn’t, I’m not a one-night-stand kind of girl. If I were, surely, I would have had one by now and would no longer be New England’s oldest virgin.
Popping the trunk, I step into the rain, helping Gideon and Bruce, the helpful man in blue, load the kennels into the back. When we’re done, Gideon and I shake Bruce’s hand, before loading into the car, even damper than we were before.
I push my hood back, shivering as water runs down my neck into the light summer sweater beneath, and decide I might as well break the news now. When I’ve finished explaining the lodging options—or lack thereof—Gideon nods, his brow furrowed with concern.
But it’s not concern for himself or the dogs.
“Is that okay with you?” he asks, his worried gaze fixed on mine. “You’re a young woman living alone, and I’m a stranger. Would you feel comfortable having me in your home?”
“You’re a stranger who saved my life,” I remind him, making his lips twitch.
“Maybe, but I don’t want you to feel obligated because of that. Especially if you don’t feel safe. I’ve been vetted by Pilots for a Paws, and I can give you some people to call as references, but I understand if you’d rather I find other accommodations. I have friends in Bucksport. We haven’t talked in a while, but—”
“No, not at all,” I say, shaking my head. “Bucksport is almost two hours away. You and the puppies are cold and miserable now, and I’m sure the roads are dangerous.” I smile, my stomach fluttering as I add, “I’d be happy for you to stay with me. There’s plenty of space. We can get the dogs settled in the rec room, and you can have your pick of guest rooms. There are still two empty, one upstairs and one downstairs.”
He studies me for a moment, making my face feel too hot again, but finally nods. “All right. Thank you. We’d be grateful for your hospitality. But you have to let me buy dinner to say thank you. We’ll find a nice restaurant that delivers, and you can have your pick of the menu.”
I laugh. “Thank you, but the only restaurant that delivers in Sea Breeze is the pizza place. Though they do make a mean calzone.”
Hunger flashes in his eyes. “Sounds delicious.”
“It is. We can order as soon as we get back.”
“I’d like that, Sydney,” he says, the sound of my name on his lips enough to make me melt. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Gideon,” I say, enjoying his name on my lips, too.
Nearly as much as I enjoy glancing down at his left hand and seeing no ring in sight.
three
