Claiming Holly (Holiday Cove 1)

“Um,” I shrugged, “what do you normally do?”

Jack smiled. “If we go that way,” he pointed up the beach, “there’s a killer fish and chips shack.”

“Sold!”

He laughed and we set off, walking side by side, up the beach. He kept a loose hold on Hunter’s leash, and Princess kept her pace to match the puppy as he tore over the sand, stopping to dig or sniff every few paces. We’d walked in silence for a few hundred feet before he asked, “So, what about you? You have a boyfriend that would come after me if he knew you were out here with me?”

I laughed. “Not even close.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“It’s just been a long time,” I started, pausing to tuck a windblown strand of hair behind my ear. I was certain that after the ride down the highway with the top down, there was no hope for my do, but it was out of habit that I tried to keep it tame. “I’m divorced, actually.”

There, it was out there.

Jack didn’t react at first, and I momentarily panicked, wondering what was going through his mind. When he met my eyes, they weren’t full of pity, or horror, as I’d expected, rather than that they remained cool as ever. “I’m sorry, Holly.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I waved my hand, dismissing the swell of emotions in my chest. “It’s all way in the past, but the whole experience kinda put me off dating for a while.”

He nodded. “Understandable. I have some buddies who’ve gone through it. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like, at least not firsthand, but from what I’ve seen, I know it’s some pretty rough shit.”

I watched the sand as it displaced around my bare feet. “I don’t really like to talk about it if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Just know that I really am sorry you had to go through all that,” he replied.

“Thank you.”

Jack stopped and leaned over to unclip Hunter’s leash. I opened my mouth to protest, but Jack held up a hand. “Trust me, he’s ready. Besides, the way this beach is, with all those rocks, there’s not much for him to get into.”

He was right, but my stomach still twisted nervously as Hunter realized he was free and tore off after Princess. Princess kicked into a sprint, and Hunter struggled on his much shorter legs to catch up to her. Halfway through their game, the tables turned and Princess rounded a large piece of driftwood and chased after Hunter. He—of course—was delighted.

Jack and I laughed as we watched the dogs play. Hunter’s joy warmed my heart as he bounded over the sand, tongue hanging out, barking with excitement. “This almost makes me want to get a second dog,” I said. “Almost.”

We’d walked quite a distance from our starting point, and the shops that had appeared so small from the beginning of the trek were now getting close. Jack pointed out a small cottage, wedged between two retail shops. There was a blue sign out front, Captain Joe’s Shack.

“You ready to be spoiled for all other fish and chips?” Jack asked, smiling widely as we approached the small, whitewashed cottage.

My stomach rumbled as if on cue, and I nodded enthusiastically.

11

Holly

“One pina colada for the lady.” Jack set a frosty glass on the table in front of me before sliding into the opposite chair. We’d chosen an outside table, so we could keep an eye on the dogs while we ate. Jack had pulled out my chair and insisted that I relax while he went inside to order.

“Thank you,” I said, breathing in the sweet coconut scent. “I haven’t had one of these in forever.”

Jack smiled and swirled at his own drink, an amber-colored liquid on the rocks. “Sounds like you’ve earned it.”

“Cheers!” I held it up and he clicked his glass against mine, and we both took a long, indulgent drink. “Oh my God. If the food is even half as good as this drink, I’m never leaving.”

Jack chuckled. “I’ll bring you a sleeping bag.”

I smiled and took another slow sip, studying the sparkle in Jack’s eyes as he watched me from the corner of his eye. He flicked his gaze over to where Princess and Hunter were sitting, tuckered out from their game of tag, side by side on the edge of the patio.

“It’s gonna be sad to have to separate them,” Jack said, jutting his chin in the direction of the lounging dogs.

“I know,” I replied, nodding. “I’m still in shock that Hunter isn’t halfway to the Mexican border by now!”

Jack laughed and his eyes danced all the more. “I told you he was ready to go off leash.”

I arched a skeptical brow. “I think Princess slipped him some tranquilizers when they were in the back seat.”

“Either way, he should sleep good tonight.” Jack smiled over at me and I quickly darted my eyes back to the dogs and then out at the ocean.