“Penny for your thoughts,” I pry.
Harlow rests her forehead against the glass and returns her gaze back outside. “I’m just thinking that this is the kind of small town that writers dream about. And all I seem to think is how wonderful that it’s light out and the people seem to be in a safe bubble, truly happy.”
I squint my eyes as I soak in her simple statement that feels as though there is more underneath the surface. She’s still a mystery.
Her attention zips back to me, and the corner of her mouth raises but weakly. Until our eyes meet and the shift in the air brings an excitement inside me that, for once, isn’t just fueled by a need for temporary relief. It feels as though she finds me thrilling too. That’s what unexpected things do, right?
“Why do I feel like neither one of us have followed the assignment?” I softly say aloud.
We both marvel in this moment, with a gently giddy look on our faces, in agreement that we are acknowledging our start.
“Maybe because we found something better,” her voice is a whisper to herself, yet she doesn’t seem concerned that I heard.
I couldn’t agree more.
And I’m beginning to wonder if she’s the key to solving my own secret.
3
HARLOW
Gloria walks back and forth as she examines our group sitting in a circle. Her fingers steepling as if she is debating her next move.
“Well,” she sighs. “It seems our plans need to change.”
Yep, we’re all in trouble.
She continues, “It seems that our afternoon of inspiration took a turn. Brett and Jennifer got lost, and it required the forest ranger to save them. Frank and Greg decided that saving a lost dog, although noble, was their mission for the afternoon.” Gloria stops in front of Stone and me. “And you two decided to ditch the trail and head into town for milkshakes.” I open my mouth, but she raises her finger to stop me. “Yes, I saw you two cozied up at Jolly Joe’s while I was exiting the general store with supplies.”
Stone raises his hand to calm her. “Whoa there with the accusations.”
Jennifer gently pats Brett’s arm. “See, I told you they had vibes.”
Stone and I scan the room, kind of in surprise that we’ve become the gossip of the group. Stone ignores everyone. “Jolly Joe’s is an establishment full of inspiration. Just the other day Sheriff Carter had a breakup with the new nurse in town. I’m sure in Harlow’s world she’s already concocting a reunion in her head.”
“Yeah,” I state a little too boldly. I don’t, but fine, I’ll roll with this.
Gloria doesn’t look amused and instead claps her hands together and surveys the room again. “Well, I think that our change of plans calls for self-reflection time and writing. We’ll reconvene tomorrow morning bright and early, ready to share how our word count went this evening. We’ll head straight into editing techniques tomorrow morning to avoid any of you veering off course.”
Stone leans into me to whisper, “This no longer feels like a retreat. Did we just get schooled?”
“Tell me about it. I’m questioning ditching tomorrow and heading to the spa.”
Everyone begins to stand to depart the room.
“Want to grab dinner? I have connections to get us a good table at the restaurant here. There is normally a waiting list,” Stone asks, maybe a little too hopeful.
To my surprise, the day took a turn, and it was an enjoyable afternoon with him. A click between us that I can’t ignore. As great as that sounds, though, it’s all the more reason to take a step back.
“I’m kind of stuffed from that shake, and evening is my prime writing time. Maybe a rain check?”
“That would imply you want to see me another time.”
I sputter a sound. “Well, we are stuck together for a few days, so it does seem likely.”
“Lucky me.” He flashes me a suave grin before he heads off.
I can’t help but smile to myself. He’s a peculiar soul. For sure, at first appearance, he seems like a stereotypical athlete with a personality problem. But when you scrape the surface, he has a few specks of softness and something else, I can only determine it to be confidence. It crossed my mind what he would be like with a woman, but as soon as that thought entered my mind, I pushed it away out of habit.
