Nate turned his head toward her and nuzzled in close. “That’s the kind of obligation I can get behind. But if you think free golf is a requirement for me to take you out again, you’re missing some serious signs from me.”
He glanced over his shoulder toward the bright lights of the course, then nodded toward the city walkway in front of them that wound along the shore all the way from the southern tip of the island to the bridge that crossed to the mainland. “Want to take a walk? Get away from the tinny-sounding music pumping through those crappy speakers behind us?”
She took a sip of her cocoa and nodded. She wanted nothing more than to be alone with him. He stood and held out his hand, and she took it with her empty one. They locked their fingers together, the roughness of his skin giving her an inexplicable thrill.
As they put distance between themselves and the blaring, treble-heavy music, the night became quieter. Peaceful. Nothing but the two of them. There was a slight breeze, but this side of the island was protected and much calmer than the gulf side. Nate’s hand and his attention warmed her to her toes anyway.
They finished their cocoa and threw the cups away in a trash can along the path.
“It was good, but not nearly as good as the brownies you brought to the station,” Nate said. “My dad said to tell you those were the best brownies he’s ever had, and he’s had a lot of brownies in fifty-five years.”
Sophie laughed. “I’m telling you again, I had very little to do with how they turned out. But I’ll give the message to Iona.” Without discussing it, they turned onto a wide dock and walked out over the water to a bench at the end. “Your dad seems nice. Quiet though.”
“He was just behaving himself for once. He’s rarely quiet — at the station or at home.”
“You work with him and live with him?”
“Yeah, as much as I hate to own up to living at home. I have the top floor, he has the bottom, and the middle is the living room and kitchen. It’s a bachelor pad through and through.”
“Big-screen TV?”
“Yep.”
“Pool table?”
He laughed. “In the family room.”
“You’re living a stereotype.”
“I know. It’s not so bad, but I’m thinking it’s about time for me to get my own place,” he said. “Lately, it’s gotten weird. My dad has a lady friend. First time since my mom left.”
“Sounds … tricky.”
“Yeah, nothing like running into her in the kitchen at six a.m., me in my boxers and her in a robe.”
“Awkward.”
“I’m just relieved she was wearing a robe. Thanksgiving will be strange this year. Our tradition is to totally bachelor out. We fry a turkey, make a full-on feast, and invite any guys from the station who don’t have family nearby. Football on the TV, pool games ongoing. This year, Elsa will be there.”
“Do you like her?”
“I don’t really know her. He’s just started bringing her home within the past two weeks.”
A fish jumped a few feet out from the dock, and without thinking, Sophie rested her head on Nate’s shoulder, breathing in the night air. Savoring the contentment.
“You should join us for Turkey Day if you don’t have other plans. Then it wouldn’t be so weird.”
Sophie lifted her head, alarmed. Thanksgiving? With his family?
“Um, I … I don’t really do Thanksgiving, but thank you. If Elsa gets along with your dad,” she said, rushing on in an attempt to divert his attention from her refusal, “I imagine she’ll hold her own with any of the guys who show up. It sounds like you two are close enough you can weather a lady friend. Thanksgiving or otherwise.”
The way his look lingered at her from the side told her he’d noticed. She held her breath, waiting for him to pursue her reasons for saying no to his invitation.
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong — I’m happy for him. Just gonna take some getting used to it. It’s been the two of us for so long…”
“How long?” Sophie asked, breathing again. Diverting his attention again.
“My mom left when I was nine. Third grade. Crushed me. She sat me down one night before bed and told me she was ‘called to help.’ She left on her first missionary trip to Costa Rica two days later, and every day after that, for God knows how long, I used to run all the way home from school to see if she’d changed her mind and come back yet.”
