Page 13 of Healing Home

Chapter 4

BB’s heartraced and she tried not to fumble getting the box back on the shelf, but with Link standing so close behind her shoulder, radiating heat, it was hard to stay focused. Had he meant what she thought he did just now? The thought flitted through her mind to turn and just lay a big wet one on him, but that would be so awkward if she’d misread the situation. ‘Oh, sorry about the tongue, thought you’d been ready for it.’

Instead, she took a deep breath and carefully stepped to the side, then turned to face him. “I’m sorry if I dug up painful memories.”

He shook his head, his eyes shadowed. “Don’t worry about it. It was nice to talk about my brother again. The guys on the team, well,” his voice drifted away. “Death is a part of life, but they prefer not to dwell on it.”

Ah. She understood. “He was an important part of your life, though.”

He shrugged his muscular shoulders and turned away.

BB was disappointed. She’d wanted another hug, but obviously he needed some distance.

Frankie plopped down in front of her, staring up at her.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Crossing to the front door she swung it open, letting in a swirl of heat. Frankie jogged through the opening, down the steps and into the grass where she began circling to find the perfect place to pee.

“Would you like to walk down to the beach?”

She glanced back at Link, standing in the doorway. Shading her eyes with her hand she grinned at him. “I would love to! Let me run to my room for a minute.”

She knew the water would be too chilly to swim in, but maybe she’d wade a little. And sunbathe. She changed into her flowered one-piece, then dropped a pretty white sundress over top of it. It was short and flirty, and perfect for the beach. Grabbing her beach bag she threw a towel inside, as well as a broad rimmed hat. No sunburn before she went home.

Frankie didn’t appreciate being left but BB refused to carry her all the way down to the beach and back. So, making sure she had a treat bone with peanut butter inside, she left her behind.

Link was waiting for her with a small string sack in hand. As he tightened the strings he glanced up at her, and BB felt a rush roll through her. Lincoln looked at her like he’d been struck, his mouth open a little. His eyes flicked over her body and down her legs, and she saw him swallow as he turned away. A surge of heat settled in her belly as she realized he thought she was appealing as much as she did.

He guided her out of the house and down the street, the bag over his shoulder.

It was as she’d expected. Brisk and windy. BB doubted she’d even be able to keep the hat on when they got to the public beach. It was definitely exactly what she needed after the scorching look in the house.

“Let’s go down this way.”

Link motioned to a path through several bushes.

“Isn’t this someone’s property?”

“Yes, but I know the guy. He’s pretty laid back. I come through here when I want to work out. It’s a nice shortcut.”

Link tried to hold the branches away from her but a few managed to drag across her skin. When they broke through the clearing, she was surprised to see a long expanse of open beach. Something about it felt more secluded, even though she could see it stretched only about half a mile. “What’s to keep the public from coming along this beach?”

“Nothing, really. The houses are a little closer to the water here. Maybe they think it’s private because of that.”

They headed down the beach to the water and she had to stop and stare. The Pacific was so vibrant, the blue water churning. It was a wild and treacherous and lovely place. “Is it high tide?”

Link nodded his head, glancing at the black watch on his wrist. “It’s almost eleven, so yeah, high tide.” He looked at the water as if it were a friend, a slight smile curling his lips.

For a moment she stared at him, caught by the similarities between the two of them. There was a power to him, an unseen force. Standing there with his arms crossed over his heavy chest, staring out at the water, legs planted, she could see how dangerous he was. And she could feel how dangerous he could be to her sanity. He’d glanced at her several times as he’d guided her to the beach.

She started walking toward the water. Bending over she unfastened her sandals, dropping them into the bag.

“It’s going to be chilly,” he warned.

The sun was shining down on her head, making her warm. Surely the water was at least warm enough to wade in? The first splash that swirled around her feet proved otherwise. Then a second wave reached her thigh, shocking her. She gasped, dancing out of reach.

“I warned you,” Link laughed, holding a hand out to her.