Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(56)

She wasn't quite sure why she'd plunked down her hard-earned tip money on him. She suspected it was because the auction was almost over and she hadn't made a single bid. Terri and Jane had both bid on men, but had lost out each time. Rachel felt that at least one of the girls from the salon should "score a bachelor," as Terri put it.

But by the end of the evening, Terri was more interested in drinking Fuzzy Navels than bidding on dogs and bachelors. Jane figured she might as well save her money. And Karen Redfern, a married friend from high school, just wanted a dog.

Then Nate Olsen had stepped onto the platform, walking a lovely and self-assured little spaniel who was destined to become Karen's dog. Bruce was navy and apparently a warrant officer, whatever that was. Although Cedar Cove was basically a navy town, being so close to the Bremerton shipyard, Rachel wasn't too familiar with military life.

She tried to remember what she could of their brief conversation that night. He was a nice-looking man. Trim, tall with dark hair and pleasant features. She'd especially noticed his piercing blue eyes.

Rachel glanced up, and those very eyes were looking at her. He was dressed casually in slacks and a short-sleeve shirt and nothing like she remembered. Tall, yes, but blond, not dark-haired. The eyes she had right—a brilliant blue. The nice-looking part was accurate, too, as far as it went. Only she didn't recall him being this attractive. And so young. He must be just out of high school. Good grief, she'd robbed the cradle!

Swallowing her disappointment, she stood, came forward and held out her hand. "Rachel Pendergast, in case you'd forgotten." Her surname was easy to mispronounce.

"Hello, Rachel." His smile dazzled her.

On second glance, he might still be in high school. She had to restrain herself not to ask if he was over eighteen. Oh, no, what had she gotten herself into now?

"I can seat you immediately," the hostess said, carrying two menus. "If you'll follow me."

Rachel was convinced every eye in the room was on Nate and her. He was so young. How could she have missed that at the auction? It must've been awfully dark in there—or those margaritas had impaired her vision. Well, thirty wasn't that old, but at the moment she felt like she could be his mother.

They were shown to a table by the window with a lovely view. Early-evening sunlight played on the sparkling water and the lighthouse in the distance looked downright romantic. Rachel studied the menu and tried hard to think of a conversation-starter. Working with the public she'd never found that a problem. Now she felt distracted, as if she'd become a spectacle for the entire restaurant, sitting there with her date. Her young date. The guy she'd had to buy at an auction.

Finally she couldn't bear not knowing. Lowering the menu she gazed across the table at Nate. "I'm sorry if this is rude, but I need to ask you something. Just how old are you?"

Nate gave her a charming grin. "Twenty-five."

Instantly she felt worlds better. Five years—that wasn't so bad.

"How old are you?" he asked in return.

"Thirty. I've never been married, no kids and I'm a nail tech—which used to be called a manicurist—and hair stylist."

"Never been married either. No kids." He added hesitantly, "In fairness, I should tell you I'm seeing someone else."

Okay, so she'd blown three hundred bucks on another woman's boyfriend, but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the evening. Still, she wondered why he'd agreed to be part of the auction if he was seriously involved with someone.

"What about you?"

Rachel shook her head. She hadn't gone to the Dog and Bachelor Auction because she had a burning desire to donate to charity. Well, she did have a soft spot in her heart for animals. But that hadn't been the driving force that had led her to the auction.

"I didn't mean to mislead you."

"You didn't." He was certainly straightforward enough. Almost the first words out of his mouth had been to inform her that there was someone in his life. They talked briefly about this woman, who was from his hometown of Fresno.

They both had the night's special, grilled Pacific salmon, which was as delicious as she'd expected it to be. Although she was technically supposed to pick up the bill, Nate insisted on paying. He escorted her back to her car and then surprised her by asking, "Would you like to walk along the waterfront?"

She agreed, and they strolled side by side toward the marina. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back.

"What's going on over there?" he asked, nodding toward the WaterfrontPark.

"I don't know. Want to check it out?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

It didn't take Rachel long to realize it was a wedding party. From a distance they watched the bride and groom exchange their vows. The sun had begun to set, sinking in the glorious blue sky, casting shreds of sunlight across the surface of the water.

For reasons she didn't understand, tears filled Rachel's eyes. If Nate saw, she'd be mortified. She barely knew this man and she'd probably never see him again. Really, there was no reason for them to continue dating. He was involved. She was older. This was it, the beginning and the end of their relationship.

"Rachel?"

He turned her to face him, hands on her shoulders. His frown told her he was both confused and concerned. "What's wrong?"