She complied while they finished their hike, keeping her comments topline, but the questions he asked suggested he was interested in more than the bare-bones overview she’d provided. Not surprising, since it was part of his family history.
As they approached her cottage, she wrapped up. “The finished translation will not only provide an incredible foundation for my research, it will also be a useful resource in the future that could help save a dying language.”
“And perhaps solve a mystery too.”
So he knew there were questions surrounding Marie’s demise too.
“Natalie suggested that, but those entries would be later in the journals. I don’t expect we’ll get to the last volumes until closer to the end of my stay.”
“All I can say is, I’m glad you’re doing the transcribing and not me.” He stopped in front of the cottage and held out hishand. “Numbers, not words, are my thing. But good luck with the project.”
“Thank you.” She took his hand.
“I imagine we’ll see each other again. I get down here often. And now I have an incentive to increase the frequency. Maybe we could take another walk on my next visit.”
It was impossible to miss his message.
He liked her.
That was a welcome ego boost. Not many handsome, charming, and interested men had peopled her world.
For whatever reason, though, he didn’t make her nerve endings tingle like the sheriff did.
Yet.
But it was too soon to close the door he’d opened. You never knew where you might meet Mr. Right, as Bri would point out if she were here.
“I’d enjoy that.”
“Wonderful.” After a squeeze, he released her fingers. “Now I’m off, after I say goodbye to Natalie.”
“Safe travels.”
“Thanks.” With a lift of his hand, he strolled down the walkway toward the house.
As he disappeared around the bend, Cara let herself into the cottage. Her overnight bag and laptop were still in the car, but she’d wait until he left to fetch them. Since they’d just said goodbye, another encounter would feel awkward.
Yet she’d risk that in a heartbeat if Brad Mitchell were the one leaving.
Rolling her eyes, she dropped onto the edge of the bed.
Jack and Bri were to blame for her sudden fanciful thoughts about the lawman. If they hadn’t jumped to all kinds of conclusions at lunch, he wouldn’t be top of mind.
Oh, come on, Cara. Give ita break.
She flopped back on the bed.
Fine.
The sheriff would be on her mind, with or without prompts from her siblings.
And now another amiable, attractive man had entered her world in this hinterland, as Jack had called it.
Strange how life worked.
She’d come here to do research, with zero expectation of a single romantic vibe during her stay.
Of course, nothing would likely come of her encounters with either man. But they did add a bit of spice to her project.
