Page 41 of The Cottage on Pelican Bay

He leaned back in his chair thinking that earlier that day, he’d gone to the Green Fig for a late lunch. Every once in a while, Levi would drop by his table to shoot the breeze. At some point Levi mentioned running into a woman Saturday night on his walk home from the party by the name of Margarita Lawson.

The woman, who went by Margie, was the daughter of Mr. Chelsey. Everyone in the cove knew Alton Chelsey since he’d been Catalina Cove’s mailman for years before retiring. Saint observed Levi’s features when he talked about Margie. He wondered if that sparkle in the older man’s eyes meant he liked her. It definitely sounded that way.

As Saint got back to work, the thought that Levi might be smitten at his age was good news. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Zara knew the moment Saint punched in the access code to her property. It had been thoughtful of him to offer to bring her dinner. She had accomplished a lot that day and hadn’t bothered to stop for lunch since she’d eaten a hearty breakfast with Saint.

She smiled when thoughts of him filled her mind. Although he hadn’t mentioned it, she had noticed several people in the restaurant staring at them this morning. That meant word had gotten out about their kiss. At first, the thought of a fake affair had turned her off, but then she had to admit she had no problem keeping the women out of Saint’s face while she was in town. In other words, she liked having him all to herself. The women could resume competing for his attention after she returned to Boston.

Before leaving her bedroom, Zara briefly inspected her reflection in the full-length mirror. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a floral print top. Beneath her shorts was her two-piece bathing suit. Before leaving Zara’s Haven she had sent Saint a text inviting him to go swimming with her if he was interested. He had texted her back that he was definitely interested.

When she got to the living room, she glimpsed out the window and saw Saint walking across the pier. He had changed from his suit and was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a T-shirt. In one hand was a big bag with the take-out food. In the other was an overnight bag. She never had to invite him to spend the night since she’d told him he was always welcome to do so. To the outside world, those intent on getting into their business, they were pretending to be girlfriend and boyfriend. In essence, they were lovers in every scope of the word.

While watching him, she saw the swagger in his walk and thought it was sexy as hell. She fully understood why the single women in the cove would be vying for his attention. He had a lot going for him. Good looks, good job, nice personality, respectability and every single thing any sound-minded woman would want in a man. She also knew he had the ability to rock a woman’s world in the bedroom.

Deciding not to wait for him to knock on the door, she went outside to stand on the porch. When he reached the end of the pier and saw her, a huge smile spread across his face. That Evans Toussaint smile almost took her breath away. She then recalled during their earlier phone conversation he had used the term of endearment again. It sounded natural and she’d liked it.

“You must be starving,” he said.

Zara tilted her head and grinned. She was starving alright, and it wasn’t just for what was in that take-out bag. “Yes, you can say that. I notice there’s only one food container in that bag.”

“I ate a late lunch at the Green Fig. Besides, I got a lot of barbecue ribs left from yesterday when I grilled for the folks,” he said.

He’d told her it had been years since he’d been in the cove on Memorial Day. Usually, he waited to come home for two weeks around the Christmas holidays and for three weeks during the summer in July.

Maurice had only visited Catalina Cove once. It had been the year Vaughn had moved back, and she’d wanted to spend the holidays with him. Maurice had wanted her to spend the holidays in Paris with him. When she’d refused and told him it would be a good opportunity to meet her brother, he had relented. Although Vaughn never said anything to her, she knew he hadn’t cared for Maurice. His arrogance was a turnoff for most people. He came from money and wanted everybody to know it.

When Saint reached her, she patted his chin. “Thanks for bringing this to me. You’re such a nice pretend boyfriend,” she said, taking the bag he handed to her.

“You think so?”

“I most certainly do. Come on inside. You can keep me company while I eat since you’re not hungry.”

The look he slanted her had heat curling up inside her. Without saying a word, that look let her know that he might not be hungry for food, but he was definitely hungry for her.

He followed her inside, placing his overnight bag on the coffee table then trailing her to the kitchen. “You sure you don’t want anything? I have no problem sharing,” she said.

“I know you don’t. You’re the most giving person I know, Zara.”

She thought that was a sweet thing for him to say. She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled as her body heated up a little more under his regard. “If you don’t mind, please pour us glasses of wine,” she said.

“I don’t mind.”

As she sat at the kitchen table, she saw how easily he moved around her kitchen and with such familiarity. That was understandable since he’d been there several times, and she always relished his presence in the cottage.

“Did you finish that painting?” he asked.

She knew which one he was asking about. The one of the vacant building. “Yes, I finished it and I plan to give it to you as a gift before I leave.”

When he headed toward her with the full glasses, she said, “It’s such a pretty day. Let’s sit outside on the back porch.”

“Okay.”

Settling into the chair at the patio table, she was glad she suggested they sit out here. The view of Pelican Bay was gorgeous, and this time of year was when the pelicans returned from their winter trip south. They were breathtaking and she understood why her mother liked painting them so much. Across from the table were wooden patio chairs and chaise lounges that faced the shimmering blue waters of the bay. On nice evenings she would sit in one of the chairs and read a book while drinking a glass of wine.

“You were right. It’s nice out here,” he said.

She glanced at Saint. “I will admit this is the one thing I miss about living in Catalina Cove. The number of beautiful days there are. I talked to Sherri this morning and it’s been snowing in Boston every day since the weekend.”

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