Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [79]
"Just ask him, Kate. Go in there and ask him. What do you have to lose?"
She stared back at him. "Everything. My whole identity, that's what. And he's already angry with me. I don't think it's a good time." She spun on her heel and started walking down the dock.
"Where are you going now?" Tyler asked as he followed her.
"Back to work, I guess."
Her half-hearted reply gave him hope. "I have a better idea."
"I doubt that."
He put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. "It's a beautiful day. How about a picnic on the beach?"
"A picnic on the beach?" she echoed, as if she'd never heard the words before.
"You know, wicker basket, fried chicken, potato salad, blanket, maybe a little wine. I was reading a brochure I found in my hotel room about a beach with a waterfall. I'd like to see it."
She cleared her throat. "I don't think so. Things didn't go very well yesterday when we spent time together."
"Today is another day."
"I don't know, Tyler. There's no point."
"Does there always have to be a point?" he challenged.
"For you, I would think so. You came here for a reason, to write an article. I've already told you I'm not going to help in that regard, so I'm not quite sure why you're still hanging around."
He considered her point. It was something he'd spent a lot of time thinking about, in fact. The suggestion of an article had been the easiest way to get into the McKenna family, but it hadn't played out the way he and Mark had intended. Maybe it was time to change the plan.
"I've actually decided to do as you originally suggested."
"Which is what?" she asked, surprise in her voice.
"Talk to some of the other sailors, find some interesting anecdotes, come up with another story angle." It wasn't completely a lie. He had never actually intended to write an article, only to find out who was Amelia's mother.
"If that's true, then you should be picnicking with someone else."
"Maybe I just want to spend time with you," he said with a smile. "Come on, say yes. It's just a picnic."
Kate didn't answer for a moment, a battle going on in her eyes. Then she said, "You better put together the best picnic basket I've ever seen, which will definitely include potato salad, some kind of fancy Brie cheese, and chocolate. Got it?"
"I got it."
"I need to stop in at the store."
"I'll meet you back there in twenty minutes." He didn't want to give her too much time or she'd surely change her mind.
"I'm fairly sure this is a mistake," Kate said.
"Well, if it is, it will be delicious." Whistling, he headed down the street in search of a delicatessen.
Chapter Fourteen
"Your chariot awaits," Tyler said a half hour later as he pulled Kate out of her bookstore and pointed his hand toward the street where he'd rented two bicycles. The picnic basket was strapped somewhat precariously on the back of a sleek, fifteen-speed racer. Tyler supposed he could have chosen something more modest, but, hell, he was a guy, and certain macho tendencies couldn't be denied.
Kate raised an eyebrow when she saw her matching bike. "Are we riding in the Tour de France or pedaling around the island?"
"Too much?"
"You think? These have to be the most expensive rental bikes I've ever seen."
"Probably, but they were also the coolest."
She walked over to the bicycles. "I know all about boys and their toys. Bikes, boats, cars, it's all the same where men are concerned. They want the fastest, the biggest, the best."
"And what do girls want? Surely big and best is a requirement at times."
She smiled. "But speed isn't always a plus. Some things are meant to be enjoyed more slowly."
"I absolutely agree."
"Well." She cleared her throat, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I do have my own bike but it pales in comparison to this one."
"It's already paid for, so let's go. You can lead."
"Fine. I just hope you can keep up."
"Don't