‘Isn’t this the way to Hollyhock Farm though?’
‘It would be if I kept going straight, but we’re going left further along.’
Tasha relaxed back into the seat, enjoying herself. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been taken on a mystery tour before.’
‘Is that what this is?’ Before she had a chance to answer, the car slowed more quickly than she expected and Callum indicated just before turning right and taking them in another direction. ‘Let’s go this way.’
‘Beauport.’ As Tasha read the sign she wondered why it meant something to her. She must have read the name on a map, or heard someone mention it. Then it dawned on her why she had saved the name to memory. ‘Isn’t this where there’s a lovely beach at the bottom of a lot of steps?’ she asked, wondering if she had the energy to climb back up them when they left.
Callum gave a nod. ‘It certainly is. It’s a lovely walk around there on the headland and there’s a beach.’ He glanced at her and laughed. ‘You’ve heard about the steps, I suspect.’
‘I think I read a review about the beach somewhere when we first arrived on the island.’
‘We can go elsewhere if you’d rather.’
She shook her head, not wishing to ruin his excitement to show her the place. ‘I’d love to go there.’
25
TASHA
Callum turned into the road leading to the parking area on the headland. Once parked, they walked along a path until they reached the top of the steps leading down to the beach. Despite what she had said, she was anxious about going down the steps. She had always been nervous of heights and it wasn’t only that but the thought of having to come back up to the top of the cliffs again.
Callum seemed to sense her concerns because he reached out to her. ‘Here, take my hand. These steps can be a bit precarious and I know they’re not to everyone’s liking when it comes to ways to get down to a beach.’
She grimaced. ‘I have to admit they worry me a bit. I can be rather clumsy.’ She put her hand in his.
She was relieved that Callum took their descent very slowly, allowing her to relax slightly. She realised she was also enjoying being able to hold his hand and was touched that he chatted to her about the view, stopping every so often for them to take in the blueness of the sea that seemed to merge with the sky.
‘It is yet another stunning place on this pretty island of yours.’
‘Look at the colours of the sea,’ she said, noticing and pointing with her free hand. She looked up at him, happy to see him smiling. She loved being in his company and it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling to know he had chosen to spend more time with her. Continuing, she added, ‘The colours are amazing and range from the deepest navy to the most amazing turquoise I’ve only ever really seen in photos my parents took of a trip they made to the Caribbean years ago.’
‘Not bad, is it?’
She sighed. ‘It’s stunningly beautiful and very inviting.’
‘I love that you like it here,’ he said, giving her a thoughtful look she couldn’t decipher.
She loved feeling so comfortable in Callum’s company. She didn’t think she had felt this connected to a man for a long time.
‘You all right?’ he asked.
She snapped out of her reverie and nodded. ‘I was just thinking of something I mustn’t forget, that’s all,’ she fibbed, too embarrassed to voice her thoughts. Wanting to spend as much time with him as possible, she said, ‘Maybe we could go for a drink or ice cream after the beach. My treat.’
‘After walking up all those steps you mean,’ he said as they finally reached the sand. ‘I think we’ll probably need it.’
Happy with the thought, she took off her trainers and waited for him to do the same.
She sighed happily. ‘I’m so glad I left them to sort things out in the cottage and came across you on my walk to nowhere.’
Callum smiled. ‘So am I.’
The sea wasn’t far out at all and Tasha loved that it only took a couple of minutes for them to be able to cool their feet in the rippling waves.
‘It’s wonderfully warm,’ she said, dreamily holding her trainers in her right hand. ‘This is bliss.’ She lifted her face to the sun and, closing her eyes, held her arms out wide. ‘You did well bringing us here, Callum.’
She sensed he was watching her and opened her eyes to find him staring at her, a gentle smile on his face.
