AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hurrumph.
“Wait!” I call. “It’s very deep on that side. Stay where you are. I’ll retrieve your toy.”
The young ones hesitate, perhaps because they don’t know me well, but finally the largest of them nods. With a sigh, I remove my sunglasses and slip under the buoy, loving the feel of the water against my skin. I rarely swim in human form, but I find it quite pleasant. Perhaps I should make a habit of it.
Thanks to the strong breeze, the ball has floated quite some distance, but I catch it quickly. I heave it back to the children and take my time returning to the designated swimming area.
I resume my post near the barrier, floating contentedly. The small humans move closer to shore, apparently lured by the smell of food. I notice that Haven is sitting on the porch of her cabin, watching the activity. I wish she would join me in the water.
Then again, the water is my natural habitat, and I’m supposed to be investigating the humans. Perhaps the thing to do is join her on the land.
Yes. I could spend time with her, while also acquiring the information I need.
With a sly smile, I dive into the water and swim toward shore.
* * *
HAVEN
At 5:00, I’m pacing in my tiny kitchen, trying to decide what to eat. I have to get to town around 8:00 to prep for the fireworks show, so I should eat before I go. But I’m not used to eating this early, and frankly, I’ve never cared much for cooking.
The state of my fridge is kind of sad. Some lettuce and carrots, a pitcher of sweet tea, some premade smoothie pouches. There are french fries in the freezer, along with some mixed veggies and a few other random things. Instant rice, canned beans, and a mini watermelon sit on the counter.
That’s about it.
What can I do with that mishmash of stuff?
I suppose I could have the fries. Or maybe mix the rice and beans together with melon on the side? That seems simple enough.
I still havepains au chocolatleft, but even I can’t eat more than three pastries in a day. Besides, I’m saving those for tomorrow’s breakfast. With a sigh, I reach for the rice, but before I can pick it up, there’s a knock at my cabin.
I open the door to find Wick on my porch, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, his hair up in a man-bun again. He smells recently showered; the cedar scent of bodywash is wafting off of him. I’m not mad about it.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he says.
I laugh. “Not even remotely. I was just trying to figure out what to make for dinner.”
He grins, revealing his dimple. “What a coincidence. I came to see if you wanted to join me for a meal.”
Well. This has the potential to be interesting. “I’d love to, but nothing in town is open, thanks to the holiday. And I don’t have much in the kitchen at the moment.”
“Not a problem,” he says. “I have plenty of food. Why don’t you come over in, say, half an hour?”
“That sounds perfect.”
“Is there anything you don’t eat?”
“I’m a vegetarian,” I say, “but other than that, I’m not overly picky.”
He nods. “Is dairy okay?”
“Sure. Who could live without cheese?”
“Perfect. See you soon.” He shoots me another grin and strolls off my porch, leaving me more curious than ever about him.
When I knock on his door a little while later, he opens it with a glass of wine in his hand, which he promptly hands to me. His hand brushes mine and zaps me with a little electrical spark. The kind kids like to do to each other by dragging their feet on the carpet.
“Come in,” he says silkily. “I hope you like pinot noir.”
