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Once the bike was parked and turned off, I swung my leg over and waited for Cade so we could walk hand in hand up his walkway. I loved his cabin. It was secluded, lovely, and suited him perfectly.
I was surprised when I didn’t see Rufus waiting for us at the door; instead, I looked over to where we’d left CB’s kennel, and saw Rufus laying outside of the door, as if he were her protector. Or, maybe he just didn’t want her to feel lonely.
“Hey,” I called to the dogs, smiling when CB started barking loudly and Rufus slowly got up so that he was no longer blocking the entrance.
I let CB out, and she immediately ran to Rufus and started nipping at his legs, then ran back to me and yipped happily.
“Let’s get you outside,” I cooed, picking the little fur ball up to take her out back, Rufus right on my heels.
I placed the puppy on the grass, then moved to sit in one of the Adirondack chairs on Cade’s porch, to wat
ch her and Rufus play. A few minutes later, Cade came out and handed me a beer, then sat in the chair beside me.
“I love it out here,” I said, turning my head to smile at Cade. “I’ve missed it over the last few weeks.”
Cade nodded, and replied, “It’s peaceful.”
“I’m sorry that I’ve taken you away from it.”
Cade turned to me and said, “I’d rather have you than peace,” then took a sip of his beer.
Laughing, I replied, “That’s good, because with me and the twins, it’s one or the other.”
After a few minutes of watching the dogs in silence, I asked, “Is your family getting excited?”
“Yeah, my mom’s already planning out what she wants to do with you guys while we’re there,” Cade said with a grin. “Snorkeling with the kids, dolphin watching, canoeing … She’s even planning out what meals to make.”
“She doesn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“She wants to,” he assured me. “She’s never gotten to fuss over a woman for me before. She’s been waiting for this for years.”
“And your dad?”
“He’ll probably want to take the kids out in the fishing boat, have them catch our dinner one night. And, we’ll surf. My dad surfs every morning.”
“I’ve never been surfing before,” I admitted, beginning to worry that Cade’s parents would be disappointed with me. Maybe they were hoping he’d fall for someone who lived on the island, so that he’d come back home permanently.
“I’ll teach you,” Cade promised, his free hand finding mine to hold it in the cool, dark night. “I can’t wait to show you everything.”
“You miss it?”
“I miss the easiness of it. It’s much more laid back, people move at a slower pace, enjoy the little moments. And, I miss my family.”
“I can’t wait to see it, see where you’re from,” I admitted, squeezing his hand slightly in mine.
“I think you’ll love it,” Cade said, a small smile on his face as he watched the dogs chase each other. “And, I know Elin and Lena will. It was the perfect place to grow up.”
“They’re crazy excited.”
Cade nodded, and then we just sat there. Enjoying the night with our hands clasped, beer on our lips, and the sound of happy barks filling the air.
I pulled my T-shirt down over the back of my jeans as I checked out the storefront for Cynthia’s Coffee and Books.
Since things had died down, I decided it was time to check out this new coffee shop that was taking all of the business in three counties.
The door jingled as I opened it and walked inside, my eyes sweeping back and forth as I tried to take it all in. One wall was floor-to-ceiling books, with cute little placards indicating what genre the books on the shelves were. The back of the store had large plush chairs with end tables and individual reading nooks, which were currently occupied with people reading books and drinking coffee. The other side had the coffee counter and a large glass display of different pastries. Breakfast, and dessert.
The register was next to the counter, and a tall, gorgeous brunette with flowing curls and a long, gypsy dress was taking money from the first in a line of customers as she smiled and laughed at whatever he’d said.
