Heartsore with the pain of rejection, she had finally convinced herself to set aside whatever feelings she had for the unattainable George. Her walk to Blue Sage Bay today was part of her stubborn determination not to give in to disappointment.Fine,her mind had advised,he won’t take me on a boat, I can walk there myself. This is my dream, and I can followit alone.
All day, she’d imagined creating fireweed jam, herb pizza and lavender cake; George and her wounded feelings had receded to the back ofher mind.
Behind her, over the sound of wind in the long grass, a new sound snagged her attention. Rocks and… footsteps. Shejumped up.
“I’ve been calling your name for the last hundred yards,” George shouted overthe wind.
Hair whipped into her face. Good thing because it hid and cooled her suddenly warm cheeks. She could do nothing about the hammering ofher heart.
“Didn’t you hear me?” George stopped a couple of feet away from her. The wind pulled and pushed his polo shirt, outlininghis body.
“No, sorry, the sea wastoo loud.”
His tousled hair, silky dark locks, blew over his brow. If they’d had a different kind of relationship, she’d push her fingers through his hair and smooth it away from his stormy grey eyes. Instead, she stuffed her hands into her pockets.
Her mind fought with her heart, and both fought against her body. All day she’d been schooling her heart away from him. And just when she’d almost succeeded, he’d turned up looking like—Oh, for God’s sake. Did he have to be so tall, so sculpted, so much like Apollo? Her physical reaction to him melted every scrap of resistance her mind and heartpossessed.
“Where’s your phone?”he barked.
She fished it out of her bag, and he all but grabbed it from her and checked it.
“Itison.” He gave it back to her. “Can you ring Mrs B?”
Why was he so angry? “Is something wrong?”
“Yes, Millie, something is very wrong.You.” He was breathing fast. “Mrs B has been calling you all afternoon. Why didn’t you answer?”
“Oh. I was down on the beach. No sig—”
“No phone signal,” he said. “And it never occurred to you to send a message? They’re all beside themselves with worry.”
Why was he shouting? “Did you come here toscold me?”
“No, Millie Summers, I came to find you, to make sure you hadn’t fallen off the rocks and broken your neck.”
“And you’re angry because I didn’t breakmy neck?”
“I had a flight to catch, and you’re making memiss it.”
“Go.” She crossed her arms. “Go, catch your flight. And find someone else to shout at.” She turned her back to him.Find someone else tolove you.
Pain rose from her chest and stung her eyes. Her thumb scrolled through her phone contacts and put a call through tothe house.
When I turn back, he’ll have gone and I can cry in private.
“Hi, Mrs B, it’s me.” She listened to the relieved exclamations. “I’m fine, just didn’t have reception down on the beach. I’m on my way—don’t worry. Yes, yes, George just found me.” She had to finish the call before her voice broke. Every time she spoke his name, something happened to her.
When she finally turned around to pick up her tote bag off the ground, George was still standing there, watching her.
“I’m sorry about shouting. I was worried,” he said. “I’m glad you’re safe, and if the colour in your face is any indication, then you’ve had a nice day in the sun.” His voice was gentle, warm.
“I hate it when youdo that.”
“Excuse me?”
“You just flip from nasty to nice. It can be very disconcerting toa person.”
His beautiful mouth twitched for a few seconds; then he gave up and broke into abig grin.
