Page 30 of Unforgiven in Cheshire Bay

“I’ve ruled out anything loud and noisy that precludes us from having a conversation, because I want to get to know all about you, so I hope you don’t mind, but I thought we’d go berry picking and then we could go back to my place and bake a pie.”

“Are you serious?” I wanted to laugh, but not at the idea because that actually sounded wonderful.

“Yeah, why?” His expression was as confused as could be.

“When you said you normally take your dates back home, I thought it was for sex, not to bake pies.”

With that, he chuckled. “Ah, yes. Well, there is truth in that. Ninety percent of the time, we do go back for that specific reason, but never to bake a pie.”

“Ah, I see. Well, at least you admit to being a player.”

“A player? On come on, I’m better than that.”

I cocked an eyebrow.

“Okay, fine. But I wanted to try something different with you. You seem—”

“Different?” I tossed the pitiful word out.

“No, better. Like I need to put you on a higher standard than the others.”

“That’s weird. I’m no different than they are.”

He gently bumped my hand. “And that’s what makes you special. The others, they all think they are better than everyone else.”

I broke eye contact and turned my head. A light breeze pushed a piece of garbage down the street.

“So, berry picking and pie making? You up for it?”

Colour me happy. “Hell yeah. But I should warn you, it’s been a while since I’ve made pie dough.”

“Then you’re a step ahead of me as I never have.” He opened the car door for me. “I don’t want to keep you away from your daughter for too long, so shall we go?”

I slipped into the seat and chanced a glance to Adam’s apartment above the bookstore. Instantly, the curtains swung shut.

I covered my mouth with my hand and nosed toward the building. “Adam was watching.”

David turned around and cupped his mouth. “I promise to take good care of her.”

No doubt, Adam was cringing. Not only was he visually busted, but he was also called out on it too.

David winked as his smile grew wider. He sauntered to his side of the car and dropped into the driver’s seat.

“Where’s this berry farm?”

“You’ve lived here all your life, right?”

I nodded. Never felt the urge to be anywhere else.

“Ever hear of Magpie Lake?”

“That’s on the other side of the strait, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.” He put the car into drive, and we pulled away from the bookstore. “Music?”

“Sure, why not? What’s on your playlist?”

One of my friends actually dumped a guy because he was into country music, and she was a heavy metal fan. Not sure it would be a make-it-or-break-it deal for me, but it did pique my interest into what music David liked.

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