“Well, that’s something then.” He smiled warmly at her and stood. “I’m going to go shower and change… care to join me? Just kidding.” He burst out laughing at her expression.
“It’s been ten minutes and you’re already misbehaving?”
“I shall return shortly. Maybe we could have a nice drink and watch an old movie or something?” He paused. “Friends do those things, you know.”
“That sounds really nice.” She answered happily because she suddenly was very happy.
****
When Kelly awoke the next morning she stretched and yawned, feeling very content. All seemed right with the world again.
After a shower she ventured out into the kitchen. Peter was seated at the table eating an apple.
“I was too lazy to make breakfast this morning. Hope you won’t fire me.” He smiled.
“Well, maybe just a warning.” Kelly poured a bowl of granola, adding a generous amount of milk. She sat down and took a bite, conscious of Peter watching her.
“You know what I think?” His voice was amused.
“What?” She crunched.
“I think it’s time for another adventure.”
She looked up to see him smiling mischievously. “Don’t you ever have any work to do like the rest of us in the world?”
“It’s Saturday. It is the perfect day to play.”
“Well, I don’t really go by the regular work week routine. I work when I am able.” She kept her glance down on her cereal.
“You’re not going to make me go sailing by myself are you?” His eyes were amused. “What if I got lost at sea? You know you would never forgive yourself.”
“I would finally have my house to myself.” She answered sarcastically.
He was quiet for a minute, and when she looked up he had a serious expression. “I can leave any time you want me too, Kelly. I don’t actually have to die to do that.”
Kelly gave a smothered laugh. “My goodness, you really are a middle child aren’t you? I was only teasing Peter.”
He looked uncomfortable and smiled. “I knew that.”
She bit her lip, watching him as he got up to throw away his apple core. He looked so handsome today. He was wearing a sage colored cotton T-shirt and sand colored twill pants. The shirt made his eyes a brilliant green, and the pants clung to his long muscular legs. He turned and noticed her looking at him, and pink crept into her cheeks.
She cleared her throat and stood to rinse her bowl. “I actually have really wanted to go sailing lately.”
“Great. Well then what is stopping us? I want too. You want too. The boat rental people want us too.” Peter grinned.
Kelly pursed her lips. “Let’s do it.”
She felt as happy as she had felt in months as she slipped on some nonskid shoes. She pulled her long hair up in a ponytail and rubbed on some sunscreen.
Peter was waiting for her in the living room, applying sunscreen himself. He turned to her and smiled. “Ready? You’ll have to direct me where to go. I haven’t been sailing here before.”
“Certainly, just follow the lead of old peg leg Kelly.” She grinned, and then blushed, as Peter reached over and ran his thumb over her nose.
“You had a little cream there.”
“Thanks.” She was conscious of her tingling skin.
They climbed in his Rover and headed down into town. It was a beautiful day, although there were some gray clouds in the distance and the ocean did look a little choppy. They headed to the small marina and walked down the white washed pier to Joe’s Boat rentals.
A grizzled man, in his fifties was behind the desk inside the little cramped office.
He had his feet up on the counter and was partially hidden behind a crumpled newspaper; there was a thin column of smoke floating up from behind the paper.
“Excuse me is this where we would rent a sail boat?” Peter asked.
The man lowered the paper sharply and dropped his feet to the floor.
“Sorry folks, didn’t see you coming.” He gave a couple of hoarse coughs and Peter and Kelly exchanged worried looks. The man stood up and hobbled over to a filing cabinet.
“Let’s see here, we have a forty-five foot boat to rent, and a nineteen foot.” He looked up showing stained yellow teeth, “Which one?”
Peter glanced at Kelly who laughed. “Well, I know how to sail, but I don’t sail tankers, so probably the nineteen foot boat?”
The old man pulled out two forms and asked for some ID and money. They decided on about two hours’ worth of rental time, got their receipt and followed the man down to their boat.
It was indeed nineteen foot, but definitely not the best of his fleet. In fact it was probably only there on a busy Saturday because it was not his finest boat. The sails were faded and gray. The wood deck and trim had definitely seen better days and were splintered and rough. But it looked sea worthy none the less.
“I’ll try not to get my peg leg caught on this rough wood,” muttered Peter.
Kelly smiled and pretended to hobble toward the tiller.
The old man noticed and gave a grizzled grin. “She don’t look like much, but she’s never sunk yet.”
“Yet?” Squawked Kelly, as she moved about familiarizing herself with the lines, and mechanisms on the boat.
The old man chuckled as he hopped off the boat and began untying the lines from the dock for them. He headed the jib into the wind away from the dock.
“Are you ready to cast off?”
“I suppose. Ready Peter?” Kelly took the tiller and hauled the mainsail sheet close. Peter caught the lines the old man tossed towards the boat. The wind was blowing head on, so it was smooth casting off. Heeling over, they headed quickly toward some docked boats and came about, moving toward boats on the other side. Kelly pressed the tiller firmly against the pressure of the keel. The waves were splashing off the rising and falling bow. There were a lot of boats zigzagging across the crowded harbor, and Kelly kept a watchful eye out for novice boating enthusiasts.
Soon they were out of the docking area and out in the main channel. The sails gently filled with air, pulling them along steadily. The boat was heeling further over now, and Peter was hiking out on the windward side, as it rushed towards the warning buoys near the rocky sides of the channel. They went along like this for about a half-hour, silently working together as a team.
The ocean was a little rougher than Kelly liked, but it smelled great out on the water, and the cool breeze felt marvelous on her face.
Peter moved agilely over and sat across from Kelly, with a content expression on his face. He inhaled a deep breath. “Ah, this is the life.”
She nodded her head, looking up at the brilliant blue sky, dotted by gray clouds.
“I have really missed this.”
“Why haven’t you been more often? You live practically on top of the ocean, in a community that thrives on the sailing.”
Her brow crinkled. “Basically because Stephen wasn’t into water sports. I went by myself a couple of times, but it seemed to be a problem for Stephen. He felt neglected I guess.”
“Is that his excuse for his bad behavior?” Peter’s tone was wry.
“By bad behavior I imagine you mean Constance?” Her lashes shaded her eyes.
“Well, obviously I don’t know the whole story, but from what I have been able to gather, he had the hots for her, and you caught him before anything could actually happen?”
Kelly flushed, embarrassed. It sure sounded pitiful when said out loud. “It is amazing how trite it all sounds now.”
“Yes, but does it feel trite?”
Kelly concentrated on adjusting the jib and thought about the question before answering. “I actually think continuing my relationship with Stephen would have been one of the biggest mistakes of my life.”
“Bravo.” Peter’s smile was charming. “I knew you were a smart girl.”
“Oh you did, did you?”
“I had faith that you wo
uldn’t throw yourself away on a man like Stephen.” His eyes were too intent for Kelly’s liking.
“Well, I have Stephen to thank for getting me back on track.”
“What track is that?”
“I got sidetracked when I met Stephen. My life is to be painting. That’s why I came here to get away from problems, the kind of problems that only men seem to bring to my life.” She lifted her chin as she spoke, brushing a stray hair from her lowered eyes.
“What are you running from Kelly?” His voice was gentle.
“Who said I was running from anything?” She asked “I came here to get away from men. I never said anything about running.” Her tone was sharp, defensive.
“Ok, you win. You’re not running from anything. You’ve sworn off of love for no apparent reason.”
“Frankly I think the reason is more than apparent. Have you forgotten I’m the talk of the town?” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
“I just think you're letting this one relationship color your feelings too much.”
“It’s not just this one relationship.” She flushed. She hadn’t intended to let that slip out.
“I see. You’ve been scarred by numerous relationships?” He was definitely prying now, and Kelly wanted to put a stop to it.
“What about you? You never disclose anything about yourself. How many bad relationships have you had?” Her eye’s sparked in her delicate face. Her shimmering golden red hair lay like lustrous strands of glass on her slender shoulders.
Peter looked taken a back for a moment, then he met her eyes boldly, his chiseled features tanned, and careful. “What would you like to know about me?”
“Well… why were you in Ireland? Where in Ireland were you? Why do you write what you write?” She laughed out loud, “You know, the basics.”
“Well, I was in Ireland for a vacation, actually. I’d been feeling rather burnt out. I was staying in a town named Moycullen, it is north of Galway. I chose it because it was small, secluded, and near an airport.” He answered obligingly.
“Go on, what about what you write?”
“That’s more difficult to answer.” He cleared his throat. “I tend to write about people who are intriguing. Not necessarily well known, but somewhat known.” His expression was as stiff as Kelly had ever seen it.
“What is the deal with you?” she blurted out. “What are you, a CIA operative?”
He looked up his face red. “What are you talking about? I’m trying to answer your questions.”
Kelly couldn’t help herself she burst out laughing. “Never mind. I think you have some issues to work through with your work.”
Peter laughed against his will. “Here I am trying to do as you requested, and you’re going to mock me?” He lifted his chin in pretend anger.
“I had no idea how much of a strain it would be for you. I just wanted to get to know you a little better. I don’t plan on writing a book.” She laughed into his eyes.
His expression blanched slightly. He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but he remained silent. After a slight pause he added. “I find myself in a dilemma where my work is concerned. That might help explain why I am so reticent to talk about it.”
“What sort of dilemma?” Kelly let out the sail a little, and the boat sped up sailing on towards the horizon. They were doing about ten knots, and the boat cut through the choppy sea with ease.
“I’m having doubts about whether to continue even writing about the subject.” His jaw tensed visibly.
“Why? What sort of doubts?”
“I have gotten a little too close to the subject matter, and it is definitely a problem for me. I can’t be objective.” Reflected light glimmered over his handsome face like beams of icy radiance.
Kelly tried not to notice his bare, sinewy forearms. “Well, since you’re being so mysterious about what the subject is, I can’t be of much help.” She shrugged.
The boat passed a bright red buoy, covered with lazy sea lions soaking in the sun. They honked noisily at the boat as it went by, slapping their flippers.
“Maybe we should come about. I don’t know how far out we should go.” She gestured up to the horizon where some gray clouds had gathered, seemingly out of nowhere. “It looks like the weather has changed suddenly.”
“You’re the captain.” Peter made a sketchy salute, and helped her with the lines, preparing to move over to the opposite side on her command.
“Prepare to come about.” Kelly shouted, as she let the lines run smoothly through the pulleys, tightening some lines, loosening others. The boat slashed through the dark blue water, waves crashing on the bow. White spray sprinkled them as the boat switched tack and moved back towards the direction they had come from.
Peter lithely moved to the side of the boat Kelly was on, sitting next to her. She concentrated on finessing the sails, trying to ignore the clean male scent of him. She did not need the complications of being involved with Peter. She needed to keep as tight a rein on her emotions towards this attractive man, as she did on the sails.
Once they were clearly back on track, she relaxed her grip a little. Conscious of Peter’s hard leg touching her bare tanned one, she tried to shift slightly.
Peter smiled. “It’s a little cramped over here.” But he made no effort to move away.
Kelly swallowed. What was this effect he had on her? She couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything but his leg burning into hers, his light cologne, and the firm curve of his masculine mouth.
She cleared her throat. “I wonder if this boat is one of the original boats the Phoenicians traveled in.”
Peter laughed, his white teeth gleaming. “It does seem possible. Did the Phoenicians use sails?”
“In Western mythology Phoenicians are thought to be the first to go long distances with sail-powered canoes five thousand years ago.” Kelly continued. “There is also evidence that Polynesians in the Pacific traveled thousands of miles in twin-hulled, wooden boats, powered by sails.”
“So then that means those uppity Europeans weren’t the first to discover the Pacific?” Peter grinned.
“Hardly, the evidence seems to dispute their claim.”
“Well, I don’t care who discovered what. I just know I love boats and the open sea.”
“Me too.” She smiled warmly at him. They had so much in common. She shook off the feeling and continued her history lesson trying to keep things casual. “I was born too late. Until recently ships were the main mode of transportation for crossing the Atlantic. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that airplanes took over.”
“I hate flying.” Peter added.
“Me too, it just doesn’t seem natural. I don’t care what anybody says I hate it. It is supposed to be so much safer than driving, but my theory is that the statistics aren’t fair. There are a lot more cars out on the road than there are planes in the sky.”
Peter agreed. “And if my car crashes maybe I can hobble away, but have you ever tried flapping your arms to fly? It doesn’t work very well.” He gave an irresistible grin.
Kelly couldn’t control her burst of laughter. “That’s right, finally someone who sees the conspiracy as clearly as I do.”
Their eyes met and a spark of attraction passed between them. Disconcerted, she crossed her arms and pointedly looked away.
“Kelly, are you sure about this solitary painter thing?” His voice was husky.
She felt heat creeping into her cheeks. She looked at him, and it sent her pulses spinning. She was torn by conflicting emotions. She found him so attractive. She liked him physically, and as a person. But she didn’t want to be hurt again. She really didn’t know much about him. He was only here for a job. When he finished it, he would be gone.
She didn’t have it in her to get involved with him and then lose him. The thought shocked her. Lose him? She felt a horrible realization. Could she be falling in love with Peter? She felt numb as she acknowledged the emotions. If she gave in to her feelings, she wou
ld be lost. She would be devastated when he left. The thought of him leaving now was awful. But, if she gave herself to him, she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings.
“Yes, absolutely.” To her dismay, her voice broke slightly.
“Why?” His voice was filled with exasperation. “You’re no longer involved with Stephen. We find each other attractive, and I know it’s mutual.”
“Yes, but I have just broken it off with someone who I trusted, who betrayed me. I know even less about you. I can’t take that risk.”
“Kelly I’ll be the first one to admit I never intended this to happen.”
“What? Nothing has happened.” Kelly’s voice was a little desperate. “Prepare to come about.” She had been so distracted she hadn’t noticed how close to the rock barrier between the harbor and the breakwaters they had gotten. There was also a strong wind picking up. The once clear sky was gray and cold. The boat lurched awkwardly as she maneuvered the lines deftly through the rigging. Turning quicker than she would have liked, they narrowly missed some rocks near the starboard side.
“That was close.” Peter let out a jagged breath.
Kelly’s heart was pounding as much from what he had said, as from fear about the rocks. What did he want from her? He hadn’t said specifically. Since he had never said he intended to stay here in Sea Light Cliffs, she could only assume that he wanted to have an affair.
The boat headed back out towards the sea and the water was getting even choppier by the minute. Kelly was having trouble keeping the tiller pressed firmly against the pressure of the keel. The wind was definitely whipping up, and the sky was getting darker and darker. “I think we had better get back in as soon as possible,” she said nervously.
Peter covered her hand with his on the tiller. “I’ll take over here. I have sailed before. I can handle it.” Fire ran through her at his firm touch. She gladly relinquished that duty to concentrate on the sails. They turned the boat around and headed back towards the harbor. Kelly couldn’t believe the change in the weather. She had been sailing for years and had never seen anything like it. They’d had no warning, or had she just been so distracted by Peter that she hadn’t noticed the warnings?
The sky was now almost black, and the waves were large and rolling. Wind buffeted the sails roughly, and the boat cut sluggishly thorough the dark water. They neared the rocks along the channel again. Just as they were about to enter the safety of the harbor, there was a powerful gust of wind from the beam. The boat lurched violently and there was a cracking sound under their feet, as the large burst of air slammed into the sails. Kelly gasped in disbelief as she felt the boat plunging sideways.
The Art of Hiding Page 11