Page 24 of He Loves Me Knot

Callum’s eyes were deep in thought. He turned, pulling the car into a small town. Nothing here was over two stories. The buildings—which appeared to be a mix of houses and shops—were close together, built on rows facing the street. Bars covered the windows, small patios with flowers, and verdant green tropical plants hid behind gates—some of which were topped with razor wire.

Liddy rolled the window down again, her body relaxing some in the rush of cooler air that came in. “What’s with all the bars and gates?”

“Theft can be a problem here.” Callum pulled the car up to the curb, letting the engine idle. “It’s not likely someone will come up and mug you while you’re walking around in the resort areas or towns like this or beach towns, but the towns near San Jose and the city itself can be dangerous.”

Why was he being so negative about a place so many described as paradise? “What about‘Pura Vida’and all that?” The Costa Rican slogan seemed to be everywhere and appeared on all the guides she’d picked up about the country.

“It’s all shite.” He nodded to her open window. “Also, I wouldn’t leave windows down. You staying in the car?”

Callum’s dislike for his surroundings clearly had a personal edge to them, which didn’t surprise her, given what he’d revealed about his mother. She let it go rather than question anything he said, and closed the window.

“Are we going somewhere? We’re not here yet, are we?” They didn’t appear to be anywhere near the beach.

“Not quite. About thirty minutes away.” He killed the engine and rolled his sleeves up to his forearms, revealing a tattoo there. An emblem or crest of some kind. She’d never seen his arms bared before, and somehow, she never would have expected him to be tattooed.

She’d never cared for tattoos, but it looked good on him. Suited him, even. Or maybe it was the fact that his surprisingly tanned forearm was well-muscled and spoke to the care he took of his physique. He lookedfinein a suit, and the women at work had admired that about him on more than one occasion.

“I’m hot, and I could use a cold drink.”

Yeah, you are.

She moistened her lips.Where had that thought come from?And . . .ugh.I’m really having an off day, aren’t I?

He pointed toward a little shop on the corner of the street. “There’s apulperiathere—a convenience store. You want something?”

Her eyes flicked back toward the razor wire on the gated house they’d parked next to. Given her experience with Sergio and what he’d just explained, a clammy feeling broke out on her palms again.And my back needs a break from this seat.“I’ll go with you. I wouldn’t mind stretching my legs. Will the luggage be safe?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. We won’t be inside that long.” Callum opened the door and swung his long legs out. She tore her gaze away and hurried after him since he hadn’t bothered to wait for her.

They crossed the street, and Callum breezed into the small shop, which had the door already propped open. The interior was cluttered but clean, with shelves of packaged goods and food, newspapers, and even baked goods like loaves of bread near the register. Callum went for the refrigerated drinks and grabbed something. “Soft drink or iced tea?”

“Iced tea, I guess.”

He took another bottle of what he’d grabbed and handed it to her. Starting toward the register, he paused at the freezer of ice cream bars. A hint of a smile came to the corner of his mouth. He grabbed two and took them up to the register as well.

After they’d paid, he handed her one. “I loved these as a kid.”

“Oh—”He bought me ice cream?“Thank you.”

They started back toward the car, and she unwrapped the ice cream. It didn’t look too different from chocolate-covered ice cream bars from back home—but maybe the nostalgia of it had made him suddenly generous. “I take it you spent a lot of time here as a kid?”

He bit into the ice cream, and his features softened. He chewed and swallowed, then nodded as he opened the car door. “Yeah, my mum is from here. I spent every summer here as a kid. Was born here, too.”

He’s part Costa Rican?She never would have expected that.

She settled back into her seat and took a bite of the ice cream.Delicious.Nothing particularly unusual, but even so, it was amazing for a simple ice cream from a convenience store freezer.

“What do you think?” Callum asked, glancing at her.

“So good.”

He smiled, then started the engine. “It’ll melt too fast with the windows down if I drive.” Giving her a thoughtful gaze, he licked some chocolate off his lip, and Liddy focused on the ice cream. Costa Rican Callum seemed different somehow.

“You know, we might still be able to track down Sergio.” He settled deeper into his seat, then rolled down his window.

Liddy’s brows drew together.What?

That came out of nowhere.