Caleb held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I saw you at the general store when you first arrived in Sapphire Bay.”
Natalie smiled. “I thought I’d seen you before. How long have you lived here?”
“About twelve months. I’d be happy to show you the tourist hot spots.”
“I forgot to warn you about Caleb,” Brooke said with a grin. “He can be extremely charming when he wants to be.”
“Which is most of the time,” Caleb replied.
Gabe cleared his throat and looked at Natalie. “Did you want to see me about something?”
She nodded and handed him the whistle. “This is for you. By the time I arrived home you’d left the cottage. I didn’t need to use it, but thanks for thinking of me.”
For some reason, Gabe looked uncomfortable. “That’s okay. Did you enjoy your walk?”
Her walk had been everything she needed and more. “It was amazing. I’d forgotten how colorful the stones are on the bottom of the lake. And the sound of the water washing to shore is so relaxing. I’ll have to allow lots of time for hiking while I’m here.”
Gabe slipped the whistle into his pocket. “If you want to take my whistle with you again, just ask.” He moved out of the way of a person wanting to sit behind Natalie. “Caleb and I should head to our seating area. Enjoy the concert.”
“You could sit with us,” Brooke said. “There’s plenty of room and we have food.”
Gabe looked at Caleb.
“I’ve got a better idea,” Caleb said quickly. “Why don’t you sit with us? Mabel gave us tickets not far from the stage. No one will complain if you join us.”
Before Natalie could say anything, Brooke picked up their picnic basket.
“That’s the best idea you’ve had since I met you.”
Natalie looked at Gabe, then at Caleb. Something didn’t feel right. “That’s nice of you, but we’re—”
“Happy to accept your offer,” Brooke said. She handed Natalie the blanket and smiled at Caleb. “Lead the way.”
Brooke and Caleb stepped around a family sitting on the ground.
Natalie looked helplessly at Gabe. “I’m sorry. If you have other plans we could sit somewhere else.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind company.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. You’ll see more of the concert from where we’re sitting.”
Natalie silently followed Gabe across the field. He didn’t seem happy that they would be sitting so close, but what could she do? Caleb and Brooke were well ahead of them, chatting away like long lost friends. Gabe, on the other hand, was as talkative as a block of wood.
When they stopped behind a line of people, she made sure she wasn’t standing too close to him. He was probably annoyed that he was seeing more of her than he wanted to. She’d have to make doubly sure that she stuck to her side of the cottage and didn’t disturb him. Keeping out of his way wouldn’t be too hard. As soon as she started painting, he wouldn’t see much of her, anyway.
She jumped when Gabe touched her arm.
He pointed to a gap in the crowd. “We should go that way. It will be quicker than waiting for this line to move.”
She ignored the tingle of awareness shooting along her arm. Gabe wanted her to respect his personal space and, so far, she hadn’t stopped bumping into him. It was time to distance herself from her neighbor and concentrate on why she’d come to Sapphire Bay.
* * *
Later that evening,Gabe sat at his desk, writing the next scene in his novel. It could have waited until tomorrow, but he was restless and needed something to take his mind off Natalie.
She’d hardly spoken to him all night. They’d been at a concert, so that shouldn’t have worried him. Even when she sat on the far side of Brooke, he hadn’t been concerned. It wasn’t until the band left the stage for a thirty-minute break that he knew something was wrong.
