A Walk Along the Beach(90)

Because I’d been away from the shop for weeks on end, tending to Harper, I hadn’t taken a day off other than Sunday since my return. “But—”

He held up his hand. “It was Shirley’s idea.”

Sinking down at the end of the mattress, I brushed the sleep-mussed hair from my face as I slowly exhaled the tension from between my shoulder blades. “I slept so well.”

Sean sat down next to me and reached for my hand. “I know. Your snoring kept me awake most of the night.”

I was horrified and jerked my hand free of his grasp to cover my face. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

He laughed, letting me know he was teasing.

I playfully elbowed him in the ribs. “That was cruel.”

“I’m not kidding when I tell you that you cuddled me all night. I loved having you with me. I had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming.”

That embarrassed me nearly as much as the earlier taunt. “Did I really?”

“It helped you sleep.”

It wasn’t like I could deny it. “Thank you,” I whispered, unable to find any other words to express my gratitude.

“I’m at your service, Willa.”

“I was desperate.” He needed to know I would never have come to him if I didn’t feel this was my last option.

“I know you had to be to come to me. Never thought I’d be grateful for someone suffering with insomnia.”

He was so cute and clever that I found it impossible to hold back a smile. I loved it when he returned mine with one of his own. Sean had a dimple on one side of his face that I found fascinating. Unable to stop myself, I raised my hand and cupped his cheek.

    Sean captured my wrist and brought my hand to his lips, kissing the inside of my palm. “I called your dad and explained that you were with me. He dropped off a set of clothes for you on his way in to work.”

“Oh my goodness,” I said, and moaned. I could only imagine what my dad must be thinking. “I hope you explained—”

“I told him everything. How you were after my body and—”

“You didn’t!”

He arched his brows.

“Sean!”

The way he quirked his mouth told me he was teasing me yet again. “I’ll get your clothes and you can dress while I make breakfast.”

I noticed he didn’t leave me the option, he assumed I’d be joining him. The truth was I doubted I could have turned him down. For weeks I had done my best to push Sean out of my life. He wouldn’t let me. He’d been persistent and caring. I was beginning to think that I’d made a hasty decision in ending our relationship. It was time to rethink what I’d done.

After I’d dressed and combed my hair, I joined Sean. He had dished up bacon, fried eggs, and toast. The table was set and waiting for me.

“Orange juice?” he asked as I sat down.

“Please.”

He poured us each a glass before sitting down across from me. Because I’d slept, my mind was clear; I felt like a new woman. It was astonishing what a good night’s rest could do for a person. The weariness I’d carried on my shoulders slipped away. The day seemed brighter.

“So,” he said, once we’d finished eating. He leaned toward me, pressing his stomach against the table. “Willa, I need to know what your being here means for the future.”

    “The future?” I frowned. I hadn’t thought beyond breakfast. “Do you mean you and me? Or my sleeping habits?”

He grinned. “Both. You’re welcome in my bed anytime, Willa. I mean that.”

I automatically shook my head. “Not a good idea. You’ll become like one of those drugs Annie warned me about. I’ll become psychologically dependent on you, and that isn’t something either one of us wants or needs.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” His eyes were warm and sincere.

“Probably not, but it’s not a good idea.” Although I had to admit, the longer I thought about it, the more I was tempted. I’d sleep next to a grizzly bear if I could rest the way I had in Sean’s arms. But I refused to use him like that.

“Tell you what,” he said, leaning forward. “Tonight, if you have a problem, call me. We’ll talk.”

Not a bad suggestion, and one he’d made earlier. “Do you think you can sweet-talk me into falling asleep?”

“Don’t know. But it’s worth a try.”

“Okay, you’re on.”



* * *



—

Sean and I spent a relaxing day together. We snuggled up on his sofa and watched movies from the eighties, classics. My favorite was Ghostbusters, and Sean was all over Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. We ate popcorn and ice cream for dinner and then I drove home.

I took a long soak in a hot bath and thought about our time together. I hadn’t taken a day off like that since before Harper got sick. I felt lazy, relaxed, and content. The feeling was foreign to me, and I was convinced I would fall straight to sleep and rest the entire night. The dry spell had been broken.

    Wrong.

At one-thirty, I was wide awake. Groaning, I tossed and turned for another thirty minutes before in utter frustration I reached for my phone.