“But you did get a reaction,” Paul insisted. “There are people out there who appreciate your books. You’ve made a living from it. Do you want to hazard a guess how many writers out therecan’texist on what they make from their writing?”
Adam became quiet for a moment, his face tight. He raised his chin and turned toward Paul. “You always seem to know exactly what to say.”
“Meeting readers is a rare thing for me,” David admitted. “I don’t attend conventions or book signings. No one knows I’m James Blanchette, and I don’t want them to, because a gay James Blanchette might not go down so well. I’ve only been writing as myself for a couple years so far, and that was my firstOh My Godmoment.” He cleared his throat. “Please tell meyou’renot done writing, Adam. Are you going to write more books?”
Paul stilled, his gaze on Adam’s face.
Adam’s hand trembled slightly as he drank some of his water. “That’s the plan. No idea when that might be, but at least I’m thinking about it.” He drained his glass. “So, Paul, when are you going to tell me what else you’ve got planned for the rest of my grand day out?” He managed a smile. “Because if lunch is anything to go by, you’re off to a great start.”
Paul got the message.Change the subject.
“Nope, it’s still a secret. You’ll have to wait until we get there.”
Adam straightened. “Get where? Where are we going?”
Paul chuckled. “Uh-uh. First things first, you have to climb back up the hill. That’ll work off a few calories.” He picked up the backpack that contained Adam’s light jacket. “Let me go pay for lunch, and then we can leave.” He glanced at Taylor and David. “You two going to come with us or get there under your own steam?”
“We’ll meet you there,” David told him. “I need to change my clothes first. And forget about paying. Lunch is on me. My treat.” He smiled.
“Are you sure?” Adam asked him.
“God, you British,” he groused good-naturedly. “It’s only a lunch, for Christ’s sake. You can return the favour another day, okay?”
“You’re on.” Adam’s smile was more relaxed.
“Thank God for that,” David said with a low growl. “Now get going, you two. You’ve got a hill to climb.” His eyes sparkled. “See ya later.”
Adam pushed back his chair and stood. “You know, I’m dying to know what this is all about.”
“You’ll have to wait. Not long now and all will be revealed.” Paul led him along the walkway, and then they left the café, Paul raising his hand to wave at Richard as they passed. He paused at the foot of the path. “I don’t know about you, but I find it’s always worse going up this bloody hill than coming down it. And after eating all that food, too.”
Adam lifted his hand to grasp Paul’s arm. “We’ll take it slow.” He grinned. “You do your best to keep up with the dinosaur, all right?” Before Paul could retaliate, Adam had started up the path, cane moving in its slow arc in front of him, and in an unmistakable good mood.
Paul followed, unable to keep the smile off his face, delighted by Adam’s unexpected surge of confidence.
This is gonna besogood.
Chapter Twenty
Adam easedhimself out of the passenger seat of Paul’s car and sniffed the air. The scent of the sea was much stronger than it had been at Steephill. Add to that the aroma of fish, and he had a fair idea of their whereabouts. When he caught the sound of running water nearby, he knew.
“We’re at Ventnor seafront.” Behind him was the cascade, a huge rock face that had been turned into a garden bisected by a waterfall, the path from the beach up to the main town winding around it. The Cascade had been around since late Victorian times.
“That’s right.” Paul locked the car.
Adam racked his brains as to why they’d come to Ventnor, especially this particular spot. There wasn’t much to do, save walk along the promenade. He knew there was a bar or two and tourist gift shops, but that was about it.
When he heard an engine in front of them, and some seafaring vehicle cutting through the waves, he stiffened. Judging by the sound, it was a small craft. Its arrival was soon drowned out by the noise of a car pulling up next to Paul’s.
“Here’s David and Taylor.”
The engine died, doors slammed, and Adam heard Taylor’s whoop. “Nice timing.”
“Paul, what are we doing?” It had gotten past the point of being intriguing. Adam wanted to know what was going on.
Paul was at his side in an instant. “My friend Eric has tied his RIB to the jetty. We’re going to step into it. I’ll be right here, okay?”
Adam’s stomach rolled over. “We’re going for a trip on a RIB?” The thought of bouncing over the waves made his throat tighten. A rigid inflatable boat, five passengers, and a bloody long time since he’d been out in something that small.
