Page 12 of Finding Love

The old stairs leading down to the water’s edge had fallen into disarray several years back, and she’d heard that the house had sat empty for years now.

“I bet they have a great view,” Ryder said, motioning to the house.

“Yeah, too bad the place has sat empty for so long.” She sighed. “I’ve always dreamed of buying it and fixing her up again.”

“Have you been up there?” he asked, shifting slightly to get a better view now that they had passed the property.

“Nope.” She glanced at him and realized he was watching her instead of the shoreline.

“You love it here,” he said.

“I do.” She smiled. “Where is home for you?”

He shrugged and turned his eyes away.

“For the moment, here is good.” He leaned back slightly. “What do you do? Besides working at your mother’s bakery?”

“I volunteer with the coast guard occasionally,” she answered, remembering how she’d failed her final exam once more. Her father allowed her to volunteer, but because of the last part of the test she couldn’t get past, she was stuck in the classrooms and not out in the field.

“That’s cool,” Ryder said, turning back to face forward.

She frowned and watched him. She’d expected him to treat her like everyone else that she knew did. To argue with her that it wasn’t safe. Even though there were more than a dozen women currently working at that coast guard facility. Somehow, everyone she knew believed that she should stick to the bakery.

“A lot of family and friends don’t think I have what it takes,” she said, watching for his reaction.

He glanced back at her. “I’ve only known you for a few hours and, in that time, you’ve done nothing but prove you do.” He smiled at her, and she felt her heart kick in her chest.

Damn.

“What about you?” she asked, trying to steady her heartrate.

“Me?” He shifted so that Willy could lay on his lap.

“What do you do?”

“This and that,” he said, slowly stroking Willy’s head. “In the past year I’ve waited tables, bartended, shoveled manure, roofed homes, taught surfing lessons, among other odd jobs.”

“And before that?” she asked.

He shrugged. “School.” He avoided her eyes, and she could tell he was hiding something.

“You’re from Seattle?” she asked. He nodded. Okay, so he wanted to avoid talking about his past.

“Yes, but I went to school out east,” he answered. “You? Did you go to college?”

“Some. I went through the basic coast guard boot camp training. Since my dad was the teacher…”

“Right.” He nodded. “So, why do you work at the bakery instead of that?”

She took a deep breath. “Because my dad and friends keep taking me off the schedule,” she answered, only lying a little. He had his secrets, she had hers. “So, I have to make ends meet. Plus, my mother and aunt really needed the help.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “It really sucks when you can’t even control your own life.”

He watched her and then nodded slowly. “I know the feeling.”

She was quiet for a moment as they grew closer to the secluded cove area.

“Your parents?” she finally asked.

He shook his head. “Gone now.”