Page 7 of Love Walks In


Font Size:  

“There.” She pointed.

He swung the flashlight toward the dunes and increased his pace, his much longer stride taking him past her in a blink. Aria rushed after him. The tall grass whipped against her legs as they emerged onto the open beach, where the waves lashed the shore and a wind pushed the rain sideways. Tangled piles of seaweed and driftwood littered the sand. The multicolored carnival and Ferris wheel lights lining the boardwalk sparkled against the angry storm clouds.

Cold prickled Aria’s skin. Glowering Stranger moved quickly, his body a large shadow skimming against the dark blue ocean and metal-gray sky.

He stopped and held up a hand. Aria came up behind him and peered around his shoulder. The cat was huddled beside a “No Lifeguard On Duty” post, licking his paw.

“He’s playing with us,” Aria whispered. “Do that rumble thing again.”

He shot her a frown. His wet hair fell over his forehead and made him look even more menacing. “The what thing?”

“You know, thatnoiseyou made in your chest when you caught him before. It sounded like a cat purr. Well, a big cat purr, like from a tiger or something, if they even purr, which I don’t know if they do. But that’s probably why he let you pick him up. Do it again.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Justtry.” She poked him in the arm. “Before he runs again. Give me the flashlight.”

Somewhat to her surprise, he handed her the flashlight. Slowly he made his way toward the cat. Over the noise of the waves and wind, Aria couldn’t tell if he was tiger-purring. Right before he got close to the cat, a clap of thunder boomed.

Porkchop freaked out. He bolted a foot into the air, flattened his ears, and ran.

Aria gasped. The stranger cursed. The cat let out a yowl and streaked toward the boardwalk. He careened through a tangle of seaweed and suddenly jerked to a halt.

Aria and the stranger ran toward him again. The icy tide splashed over her sandals.

“Porkchop!” She shone the light onto the cat, who pulled frantically to free his left hind leg from a rope of seaweed.

His defiance replaced by fear, Porkchop began to shake and mewl in little terrified bursts. He was soaked, his fur spiky with rainwater, and his frantic struggle to free himself seemed to be tightening the noose.

Glowering Stranger reached the frightened animal in a few long strides. He crouched and grabbed Porkchop by the scruff of the neck, then untangled the seaweed from his leg. Straightening, he hauled the frantic, dripping cat out of the trap.

Relief flooded Aria.

“Oh,thankyou.” She pulled in a heavy breath and held out her arms. “I’m really sorry about all the trouble and annoying the crap out of you and getting you all wet, and I swear I’ve never had a cat run away before, especially in therain, but he’s just so much faster than I expected him to be and—”

He walked past her, still holding the drenched cat. Porkchop twisted and protested, but there was no escaping the man’s strong grip.

Since Aria didn’t relish the idea of trying to wrestle a large, angry wet cat into submission, she hurried after the stranger as he started back to the Outside Inn. He lifted Porkchop into both arms and against his broad chest. The cat kept meowing, but stopped squirming.

No surprise this time. Likely the animal was absorbing a ton of the man’s warmth. Even soaking wet, Glowering Stranger probably generated enough body heat to power the entire West Coast. Maybe even the whole country.

Shivers rippled over Aria’s skin. Her teeth chattered. They emerged into the garden lights, and he strode back to his room. He hefted Porkchop through the open window and lowered him to the floor.

Aria stopped, stunned. She’d fully expected him to hand her the cat and walk away.

Oh, no. Was he going to call animal control now?

“Um.” She rubbed her goose-bumpy arms and tried to stop her teeth from clacking together. “Can I have my cat back, please?”

“After you’re both dry and warm.” He frowned. “You can go in the front door, but there’s a good chance you’ll run into the innkeeper.”

Aria opened and closed her mouth. Animals weren’t allowed at the inn. As he’d clearly guessed, Mrs. Higgins was both chatty and gossipy. Aria had no desire to explain the current situation to her.

She also had no desire to enter a stranger’s room, but she wasn’t leaving without her cat. She’d already learned that she wouldn’t be able to walk home carrying the hefty creature, especially in the storm. Another clap of thunder, and he’d bolt again.

Which meant she needed to figure out a way to get her van.

With a groan, she edged through the bushes, careful this time not to rip her already torn skirt. Her instincts told her that regardless of the stranger’s glowers and frowns, she had nothing to fear from him. But in the event that her instincts were wrong—which had certainly happened before—his room was close enough to the lobby that there were likely other people close by.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like