While she was getting ready, Richard looked around the front yard. The garden was as colorful as Paris. Daisies, roses, and wildflowers surrounded the house and ran along the front fence. Red bricks placed in a herringbone pattern formed a walkway to the veranda, welcoming visitors to the cottage.
“I’m ready.”
Richard’s eyebrows rose. “You’re a 49ers fan?”
Paris pulled up the zipper on her football jacket. “I’m a fan of anything from San Francisco. I lived there for three years and loved every minute.”
“Will you ever go back?”
“Not to live, but I’d like to visit my friends.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. It hadn’t crossed his mind that she’d leave Sapphire Bay, especially after opening her own business.
Jack pulled Toto away from the mailbox. “I was only little when we came to Sapphire Bay. Grandma and Granddad are the only people I remember from before we lived here.”
“Grandparents are the best kind of people to remember,” Paris assured him.
Jack nodded and raced ahead with Toto.
“Have you visited the animal shelter yet?” Paris asked Richard.
“We’re going there next week. I have a feeling Jack won’t want to adopt a kitten after spending time with Toto.”
“That’s because he’s cute.”
“So is someone else I know.”
A blush warmed Paris’ cheeks. “Are you flirting with me?”
“I’m trying,” he mumbled. “But I’m a little rusty.”
“You’re doing great.”
Richard frowned. “You don’t mind?”
She shook her head. “But I have to tell you a secret. I’m a little rusty, too.”
“You don’t seem rusty to me.”
“Looks can be deceptive.”
Paris seemed so sad he wondered what she was thinking. “Does it have anything to do with the stickability issue you told me about?”
“You have a good memory.”
He held out his hand. “Why do you think you have a problem committing to anything?” When Paris’ fingers wrapped around his, a weight lifted from his shoulders.
“I’ve only had a few boyfriends, but each relationship ended faster than I could blink. I was so busy trying to find the perfect life, that I wasn’t happy with anything.”
“Is that why you left San Francisco?”
Paris shook her head. “I’d already realized a perfect life doesn’t exist. I left because my boyfriend was sleeping with someone I trusted. I needed to do something drastic to stop repeating the same mistakes I’d made.”
“Why did you decide to live in Sapphire Bay?”
“I’m usually organized, but moving here was one of the most random things I’ve ever done. I found a map of America, closed my eyes, and drove to the nearest town my finger landed on.”
He laughed. “That wasn’t much different from what I did. I heard about John’s support group from a friend. Other than that, I knew nothing about Sapphire Bay.”
