“I’m sorry,” Georgia said, wondering what it would feel like to be so alone in the world. She might not always see eye to eye with her dad and aunt, but she knew right where they were, and she knew if she needed to, she could always go home.
“Where were you before you came to the island?” Georgia asked.
“California,” he said shortly.
“Star said you’ve been here five years?” Georgia pried.
“About that,” he said reluctantly. “I... needed a career change, and when Aunt Justine got her diagnosis, I came to help and just... stayed.”
“Do you think you’ll stay here permanently then?” Georgia asked. She half expected him to clam up at any moment, but he seemed easier out here alone, less closed off. Maybe it was because she’d been vulnerable with him earlier. She wasn’t sure. But whatever the reason, she liked learning about Cole. He intrigued her.
“I won’t go back to California,” he said firmly. He scanned the horizon to the south intently. “There’s nothing for me there anymore. And I like it here. The islands are a special place. The ecology is like nowhere else on earth. The biodiversity is amazing.”
“Maybe you can live out your dream of being Captain Planet here,” Georgia said with a smile.
“Pretty sure that ship has sailed,” Cole remarked. He didn’t glance her way, but she saw a shadow pass across his face, a look of profound regret.
“Look.” Cole straightened suddenly, shading his eyes. “See that splashing?” He pointed out over the water.
Georgia peered in the direction he was pointing.
“What is it?”
“Orcas.” He stood. She felt a thrill race through her body. Together they made their way to the edge of the cliffs, watching the pod of orcas draw closer. At first the creatures were simply distant splashes, disturbances in the shimmering silver of the water, and then she could make out the sharp black point of a dorsal fin, then another and another.
“I see them,” Georgia cried, clapping in excitement. “Oh, they’re incredible.”
The animals were magnificent, cutting through the water gracefully, their speed and dexterity astonishing. Georgia was transfixed. There were more than a dozen of them racing through the water toward where they stood, turning and splashing, chasing the salmon. They were sleek and stunning, impossible to look away from in all their gleaming black-and-white glory.
“Look!” Georgia shrieked. Without thinking, she grabbed Cole’s arm. He was all muscle under her hand, but she barely noticed. She was focused on a mother orca and her calf swimming toward them. She heard the snort as they cleared their blowholes. The mother hopped up vertically from the water, her top half visible above the gentle waves.
“That’s called spy-hopping,” Cole informed her. His face split into a wide grin. When he smiled, it transformed his whole demeanor. He was always handsome. He’d probably be handsome drooling in his sleep, but when he grinned, he looked younger, not so guarded and remote, almost boyish. It was endearing.
Georgia laughed in delight as she watched the baby orca play in the waves with its mother. How long had it been since she’d felt this euphoria, the sensation of wonder? It was pure magic.
They watched the pod of orcas until the last one was a tiny dot heading north. Only then did Georgia realize she was still holding on to Cole’s arm. He was warm and taut beneath her hand, and for a moment, she froze. Etienne had been slim and strong but small framed, just a little taller than Georgia. Cole was much bigger. And he was ridiculously toned. Oyster farming must really provide a good workout. She glanced up to find Cole watching her with an inscrutable expression. He almost looked like he was in pain. Flushing red, she released his arm.
“Sorry. I got carried away by the whales.”
“Dolphins, but yeah, they’ll do that to you. No problem.” He took off his aviators, and his expression was almost indulgent as he gazed toward the distant orcas. She realized she and Cole were standing very close together on the edge of a cliff. One step to her left went straight down into the swirling waters of the kelp beds. One step to the right went straight into Cole’s chest. She didn’t know which felt more dangerous. “I think we’d better head back,” she said softly.
Neither of them moved. Georgia swallowed hard. This afternoon had done something to her. It had loosened something that had been so very tightly wound for so long. She could breathe easier. Without conscious thought, she started to move past Cole and head back toward the picnic table, but her foot slipped on a loose patch of rocks. She gave a little cry as she lost her footing, flailing instinctively for a handhold. Instantly, Cole was there, his strong hands gripping her upper arms as he jerked her back away from the cliff edge. Unfortunately, he lost his footing too and landed with a thump on his back on the ground, pulling her down on top of him.
“Oof.” Cole grunted. They landed hard, their faces very close together. For an instant, Georgia froze. She could feel Cole’s heart beating wildly against her rib cage. She saw his eyes dip down to her mouth, and then he released her arms like she was a hot frying pan. She scrambled off him, mortified.
“Are you okay?” she asked anxiously. He winced as he got to his feet.
“Just bruised my tailbone and my ego,” he said with a grimace. “I’ve done worse.” He retrieved his sunglasses, which had flown a few feet away in the grass when he fell.
Georgia brushed dust and bits of dried grass from her clothes, her face flaming.Smooth, Georgia, she chided herself. She’dgotten carried away by the day and the orcas... and maybe his pheromones. Whatever the cause, it was embarrassing to be rescued and then rejected. He obviously did not want to be that close to her, and that was just fine with her. She did not want to be attracted to any man, not with Etienne in the walk-in refrigerator so fresh in her mind. Not with Michel’s deadline looming. Even if Cole thought she was special... and gorgeous... he obviously didn’t want to do anything about it. And she didn’t need a rebound or a distraction. She needed to regain her spark and regain her life. She needed to keep her priorities straight. She shook her head, trying to shake some sense into it.
“Thank you for breaking my fall,” she said stiffly, moving away and putting a few yards of distance between them.
“My pleasure,” he said. They faced each other in awkward silence, the spell of the afternoon broken. “I guess we should get going,” Cole said, hastily packing up the picnic supplies and slipping his aviators back on.
“Good idea.” Georgia followed him up the path, carrying the mostly full bottle of wine. The car ride back was silent. She stared straight ahead. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him doing the same. Gone was the easy camaraderie of a few hours before. Now he turned up the radio and ignored her.
When they reached the cottage, he pulled up to the gate but left Martha running. He cleared his throat as she hopped out, not looking at her. “I’ll pick you up at one tomorrow. Star is insisting I take you to Anemone. It’s the best local restaurant on the island. I think she’s hoping the environment will inspire you.”
