Page 12 of Merry with a Captain

He smiled, hoping to ease her concern. He didn't want to bare his soul to her just yet and let her know he’d been just as obsessed, thinking about her this past month. Watching for her at every turn or in the shops. But if she left once at a drop of a hat, it’d be easy for her to do it again, and he didn't want to open himself up for that. For a few reasons.

She sat back in the chair with a sigh, and nodded.

"I can't say it didn't throw me when I woke up and you were gone and found the note."

“Oh, but that's –”

“Hang on please, you don't have to explain yourself. It's all right, I understand." And he actually did. Sometimes goodbyes are just too hard to say, not to mention he’d done it a few times himself over the years and now he knew what it felt like. He sent a silent apology out to those he’d done it too.

"You do? I'm glad." She reached across the table and covered his hand with hers.

The electrical charge of her touch was almost enough to make him throw caution to the wind and forget how he'd felt only moments ago.

“Maybe what we can do is just start over? Go out on dates, coffee, dinner, or trips to the Christmas market,” Fletch suggested and smiled.

"Thank goodness for the Christmas market! Otherwise would we have ever bumped into each other again, I wonder." She brightened as did he.

“You never know. What do they say… things happen for a reason. Now, how about we order some food?" he suggested.

"Yes, let's. Give me a sec because I barely saw what was on the menu when I looked at it a few minutes ago." She laughed and glanced at it again.

He did as well even though he already knew what he was going to order. Fletch was relieved the previous awkwardness was replaced with a comfortable ease. They had to restart somewhere.

Robyn stared at the menu,still not really seeing what was on it. She picked the first thing her eyes landed on and put it down.

Everything had seemed a little tense until they had this chat. Admittedly, they had no clue who each other were, and they didn't talk about much that night they were together. Only that it had been an amazing time. Plus, he didn't owe her anything, and neither she him, but there was more to them than that one night. She was sure of it.

"Are you back in Love Beach for good?" Fletch asked her.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I'm open to moving around, and Savannah was supposed to be only for six months. Which obviously got shortened. I'm not quite sure what's next. How about you?" She put the menu down.

"Here for at least a couple of months. Then probably moving on. I'm kind of a mobile sort of guy."

Her heart sank hearing that. That would mean whatever this is, or could be, was temporary. Robyn did her best to not let her feelings show so they could enjoy this moment. If all they had was now, these next few weeks to get to know each other and spend time together then she would be contented with that.

"Are you spending Christmas with family?" she asked him after they gave the server their order.

He shook his head. “No, I'm solo. How about you?"

"That’s kind of up in the air. I planned to go home and visit my parents, but then I got called back here so that may have changed my availability." She frowned, she been looking forward to going home.

"Where’s home?”

" Vermont. They have a farm there, and it's beautiful at this time of year. Usually covered in snow."

"I take it you ski?” he asked and sat back when the server put their drinks on the table.

"Yes, I ski. I actually love the winter sports." She picked up her wine glass. “Cheers.”

He raised his beer stein. “Cheers.”

She continued, “How about you, ski or winter sports?

He smiled and chuckled, as if he had a private joke. "Yes, I'll give pretty much anything a try. I'm a bit of a daredevil when dared, and well, people dare me just to see what I'll do."

She sipped her wine and raised her eyebrows. “Then, I could dare you and, you'd do it?"

His laugh was loud and deep and it reached right inside and grabbed her heart. He leaned forward and asked her in a conspiratorial whisper. "Why, are you gonna dare me? "

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