Page 44 of Tempting the Heart

“I did promise Audrey that I’d go out with her soon, so that’s unfortunate.”

My brows rose. “Really? When?”

“I don’t know. Probably after I’ve turned her down enough times before appearing rude.” She snickered, unloading the bag closest to her.

“What about you?” she prompted, looking over the paper bag.

“I’ve gone out now and then.”

She chuckled. “Oh, please. Women would fall all over you. A successful guy who owns his own business, has two homes, a body to fantasize about, and good looks?” She rolled her eyes, muttering, “Now and then?”

I caught her gaze and felt that instant pull. “Would it matter?”

Mae smiled and shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t matter at all.”

She pulled a green pepper out of the bag and rinsed it before slicing it thinly.

A casual silence hung in the air.

I wandered from the kitchen into her sitting room, overlooking the water. There was something so peaceful about Marigold Island and the town of Curiosity Bay. A sweetness existed that felt comforting and like home. I stood at the window, taking in the scene. The sky still sparkled its cerulean blue with the occasional white, wispy cloud floating out of reach. The inky water sat below a mysterious blanket coating the sea life living just underneath.

An orca surfaced in the distance, and awe washed over me.

“Mae, there’s an orca,” I called to her.

“Ooh, let me see.” The knife clanked against the cutting board, followed by her chirp of excitement. “Oh, I bet that’s from the J pod. We’ve been getting tons of sightings lately. I can see it.”

I looked over to see Mae peering out her kitchen window, and I knew why she loved living here.

It was perfection.

She left the kitchen and met me in front of the sitting room window, reaching for my hand.

“There are some things that are absolutely magical, wouldn’t you say?” she asked, staring out the window, watching the local orca swim the evening away, but I couldn’t pull my gaze away from Mae.

She was what was magical in life. Mae had probably seen this a hundred times since living here, but she was as excited as anyone would be the first time.

It was that enchanting allure that had tempted me from the beginning.

“Tyler, I can’t believe I can experience this with you.” She squeezed my hand, still staring at the whale. “Isn’t this incredible? What an amazing way to welcome you back home.”

I turned my attention back to the orca while it moved underwater as quickly as it had surfaced.

“It’s a sign,” she said, sighing happily and touching her chest before facing me. “Your good deeds at your parents’ and in life are paying off. Even the J pod sees how incredible you are.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Well, if the J pod recognizes that, I can’t ask for much more.”

She looped her fingers through mine and looked into my eyes. “I see it too, Tyler. You’re much more than the boy I had a crush on. You’ve become an incredible man.”

Chapter Thirteen

Mae

There was something that had come over me with the realization that Tyler wasn’t staying long on Marigold Island. The mere thought freed my heart and soul and allowed me to tell him exactly how I felt because we both knew nothing could come of it.

Or so I told myself.

Tyler’s gaze lit up as my words washed over him. He softly cupped my chin in his hand and slowly tilted my face up.

---