The sun continued to shine, and a soft breeze blew intermittently, rustling the leaves in the surrounding trees. From where they walked, they could hear the continued crash of ocean waves against the beach, and a smattering of bird songs. All was well once more.
An occasional car passed them on the road, and Sabrina enjoyed waving at familiar faces. Marie’s face took on a wistful expression.
“What’s on your mind?” Sabrina asked in the peaceful afternoon quiet.
Marie looked down with a furrowed brow, before biting her lip and giving a slight shrug. “One day I’d like to walk down a quiet road like this one and wave hello at everyone passing. And people will wave back. Because we know each other, and I…” Marie bit her lip again and waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t mind me.”
“You know plenty of people here!” Sabrina answered, surprised.
Marie looked back at Sabrina with a smile that seemed unusually vulnerable. “There’s knowing, and there’s belonging.” She answered softly, her accent unusually thick. She flashed a smile and shrugged.
“I’m just fine. It’s just me being melancholy.” She scoffed. “Now tell me more about the bird you got last week. How is she doing? Is she able to use her wing yet?”
Sabrina recognized the change in topic for what it was, and launched into another chapter in the saga of the many wild and distinguished guests of the Maine Marine Rescue.
When they reached Kittery Point, Marie stiffened. Marie gave a forced smile Sabrina’s way, turned around, and casually pointed at a tree in the opposite direction.
“Laugh like I just said something funny.” Marie muttered. Sabrina followed the odd instruction, and Marie seemed to hone in on something in the distance.
“We’re being watched.” Marie hummed. “Do you know anyone in a red Dodge?” She asked.
“No.” Sabrina shook her head.
“We should head back.” Marie’s brow furrowed.
“Should we call the police?” Sabrina asked, concerned.
Marie snorted. “No, but you should walk between me and the trees. I’ll walk between you and the road.”
Sabrina crossed her arms indignantly. “Why?” She asked, looking down at the friend who was half her size.
“This is a partnership, ma’am. You handle the sharks and sea lions, and I handle the idiots on two legs.” As tiny as Marie was, there was a steely flash behind her eyes, and a grit in her tone.
Sabrina narrowed her gaze before giving a resigned shrug and moved closer to the tree line along the edge of the road. “Sometimes I think you were some sort of spy in another life.” She scoffed.
Marie gave a sultry smile. “Machiavelli would have had nothing on me.”
As predicted, the old red Dodge circled back. The windows were rolled down, and Sabrina glimpsed a very tan, muscled arm resting on the windowsill of the truck door.
The dodge came to a slow stop a few feet away, and a man who looked like a model made eye contact with Sabrina.
He had the same bronze coloring and wavy dark hair. Chiseled features were accentuated by scruff from a day or two without a razor. He had dark hazel eyes, but the most distinguishable thing about him was his size. He was massive. He was tall; so tall his head almost brushed the roof of the truck, and he was filled out like an NFL Quarterback.
“Good afternoon.” He grinned, an air of affable mischief about him.
“Good afternoon.” Sabrina couldn’t help but return the smile. She looked over to Marie, who was staring at the man with an unreadable expression.
When the man turned his gaze to Marie, he froze for a split second.
“Hello.” Marie murmured.
“Hello. My name is Dante Lombardi. What's yours?” He asked, his voice low as it was calm. So calm, Sabrina wondered if he’d ever considered doing voicework for sleep commercials.
“My name is Marie.” Her words were quiet, but they were clear.
“Marie, what’s your last name?” Dante asked.
Sabrina tensed in anticipation of what was about to come next. Marie avoided talking about her life with strangers the way that most cats avoided baths. It simply wasn’t going to happen, and if someone tried to force it, scratches were likely to result.
