Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [2]
Because of the boats.
They'd been sailing into the harbor for the past week, every day a few more, each one bigger, brighter, and better than the last. There was an energy in the air, a sense of excitement, purpose, adventure. In just a few days the race would begin, and next Saturday the biggest and brightest would race around the island in the Castleton Invitational. Two days later, the boats would be off again, racing to San Francisco and then on to Hawaii for the Pacific Cup. The sailors would battle the elements and one another. In the end, only one would be victorious.
Kate didn't appreciate the direction of her thoughts. She didn't want to think about the boats or the damn race. Ten days. It would all be over in ten days, she reminded herself as she walked back into the store and shut the door firmly behind her. She could handle the pleasure cruisers, the fishermen, the tourists interested in whale watching; what she couldn't handle were the racers, the fanatical sailors who lived to battle the ocean, to conquer new seas. She knew those men and women too well. Once, she'd been one of them.
The door to her store opened, accompanied by a melodious jangle from the wind chimes that hung outside. A man entered, dressed in khaki pants and a navy blue polo shirt. He had the look of a man on business. There was an energy in his movements, a gleam in his deep blue eyes, and an impression of power and purpose in his stance. As he ran an impatient hand through his dark brown hair, Kate felt her pulse quicken. Strangers came into her store all the time -- asking for books, directions, information about the island -- but none of those strangers had given her heart such a jump start. Maybe Theresa was right. She definitely needed to get out more.
"Hello." His voice had a bit of a drawl to it. The South? Texas? She wasn't sure where he'd come from, but she had a feeling it had been a long journey.
"Hello," she said. "Can I help you?"
"I certainly hope so."
"I'm betting you need directions, not a book."
He gave her a curious smile. "Now, why would you bet that?"
"You don't look like an armchair adventurer."
"You can tell that just by looking?"
She shrugged. "What can I say? I'm good."
"Not that good. I don't need directions."
"Oh. A book about sailing, then?"
"Wrong again."
Kate studied him thoughtfully. He hadn't stood still since he walked into the store, shifting his feet, tapping his fingers on the counter. He looked like a man who couldn't stop running even when he was tired. Hardly one to settle into a recliner with a good book.
However, she couldn't refute the fact that he had come into the bookstore of his own free will so he must have had a reason.
"I know." She snapped her fingers. "Gift book. You need a book for Aunt Sally or Cousin Mary, or maybe the girlfriend whose birthday you forgot."
He laughed. "No Aunt Sally. No Cousin Mary. And, regretfully, no girlfriend."
Kate had to bite back the incredulous really that threatened to push past her lips. She settled for "Interesting. So what do you want?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Aren't we all?"
"You're very quick."
He was quick, too, and it had been awhile since she'd flirted with a man. Not that she was flirting -- she was just being friendly. "So, who are you looking for?'
He hesitated, and it was the small pause that made Kate tense. That and the way his gaze settled on her face. It had been eight years since someone had come looking for her. It wasn't likely this man was here for that reason, though. What were the odds? A million to one.
"A woman," he said slowly.
Kate licked her lips, trying not to turn away from the long, deep look he was giving her.
"I think I've found her," he added.
So much for odds.
"It's you, isn't it? Kate McKenna?" He smiled with satisfaction.