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They sat down with her grandmother and when a waitress stopped by, Connie ordered hot chocolate for each of them. “Seemed best, since you and I are driving.”
He gave the older woman points for being direct. It was clear she didn’t approve of him staying over with her granddaughter, even in a hotel.
“Gram,” Lila scolded without any real heat. “We’re all adults.”
“Mm-hm.”
The chairs were situated in a way that he couldn’t hold Lila’s hand or otherwise touch her and he tried to appreciate that. The small distance wasn’t enough to clear his thinking. Her scent still monopolized his senses and her taste lingered on his lips.
“I should thank you,” he said to Connie. “Without your encouragement we might never have met. Lila told me you urged her to get out and explore the world.”
“Experience is life.” Connie raised her eyebrows at Lila. “New or not, why is this the first I’m hearing about someone significant?”
Her grandmother was going to be a tough sell. For a moment, Travis considered telling her the whole truth. But it would be so much easier on everyone if they could make her believe he was here because he was romantically attached to her granddaughter.
“As I said, it’s new. And, um…” Lila’s voice trailed off.
“And I’m pushy,” he interjected. “She’s trying to be polite, but once I knew she was leaving the yacht crew, I couldn’t let the best thing that ever happened to me slip through my fingers.”
“And I do apologize for dropping in. We’d agreed I’d swing by after I finished a brief detail in Charleston.” At Connie’s furrowed brow, he explained. “I’m in personal security. It’s not always easy to schedule time away. But the assignment wrapped up and I’m officially on vacation.” He reached over and patted Lila’s knee as if he did that all the time.
“Vacation?” she echoed, gripping his hand hard.
“Officially.” He paused as the hot chocolates were delivered. “As long as you don’t mind having me around. I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen each other. I can always go hang out somewhere else.”
“Of course not,” Connie answered for both of them. “I want to get to know the young man in Lila’s life.”
“Gram. It’s—”
“New. I heard you.” Connie sipped her hot drink, her gaze holding his. “Have you been to this area before?”
Lila made a frustrated sound and stirred a candy cane into her hot chocolate. He liked the rosy color in her cheeks andher grandmother seemed to count her embarrassment as a good thing. Gave him hope that his spur of the moment plan would work out. There was nothing worse than going undercover with someone who couldn’t sell the story. Innocent or not, he needed to figure out who that other woman was to her and if being followed tied Lila to the jewelry theft.
“Not South Carolina specifically,” he replied. “This is a beautiful part of the Atlantic Coast.”
“Sounds like you’re well-traveled.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he assured her. “Mostly for work. While I don’t always get to be a tourist, I do enjoy some marvelous views and experiences.”
“My husband and I traveled as much as we could when we were young,” Connie said. “He was military and moving was always as much of an adventure as the places he served.”
“No truer words,” Travis said. “During my service I only had to worry about me. I didn’t envy the family guys.”
“Didn’t you?”
He saw the trap. Connie wanted more than a short-term fling for Lila. Travis respected that. Ignoring the pang of lying to a woman he was starting to like, he said, “Not when it came to moving, ma’am.”
Connie threw back her head and laughed. “You’re a delight.” She winked at her granddaughter. “I see why you’re smitten.”
“Mm-hm.” Lila stirred that candy cane with renewed vigor.
They chatted about things to do and see on the island and Travis figured he’d cleared the first hurdle. An important one. The conversations were bound to get more challenging, starting with the talk he needed to have with Lila as soon as they could be alone.
Connie set aside her mug and stood up. “A baker’s hours are early ones,” she declared. “You two enjoy the next few days.”She walked over and gave Travis a warm hug. “You’re welcome anytime, anywhere, Travis. With one exception.”
“Gram!” Lila choked. “No.”
Connie shook her head. “Has to be said. Until there’s a wedding band on your finger, he’s not sharing your room at my house.”
