For early October, the afternoon was glorious. Hope had been assured days like this would be rare, as the rains were sure to hit the Pacific Northwest soon. It seemed as if God had smiled down on her, making this day even more special as she had Shadow with her.
Because her gaze was focused on the activity along the beach and the water, Hope didn’t notice Cade until he stood almost directly in front of her. He had his hands in his pockets and looked ill at ease. Her heart raced as she recalled Tonya’s words about letting him make the next move, if there was to be one. She’d trusted that advice, although that hadn’t kept thoughts of him from drifting into her mind.
“Hey,” he said, his greeting carried with the wind.
“Cade?” Despite her effort to appear casual, she couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. She stopped herself from starting a conversation, letting him take the lead.
He didn’t quite meet her eyes as he asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”
“Ah…sure.” She found it difficult to hide how pleased she was that he was there to share this special moment with her.
Lowering himself down beside her, Cade seemed uncertain and eyed her dog. “Do you think Shadow will mind?”
“Guess we’ll find out.” After all her work socializing the canine, this would be a valid test. Tightening her hand around Shadow’s leash, she was prepared for however her dog responded.
Cade carefully sat down on the sand, maintaining a fair distance between him and Shadow. He was close, but far enough away to show that he posed no threat. As expected, Shadow focused his gaze on Cade and regarded him warily.
Hope waited impatiently for him to speak. In their brief history, he had avoided speaking to her, although she didn’t know why.
“It’s a beautiful afternoon,” Cade said, as if he didn’t know where to start.
“Sure is.” She raised her face to the sun and briefly closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth.
Shadow was alert, his head up, watching every small move Cade made. With his knees up, Cade placed his hands between them, as if to show her dog he was a friend.
“The other night when you invited me to dinner…” He hesitated, as if unsure what to say next.
“What about it?”
He heaved a huge sigh. “I wanted to spend time with you, I really did.”
“You could have fooled me.” She hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but his rejection had felt exactly that way. His refusal had left her confused and unsure, as if he regretted stopping to help her.
“I know…I wish I could explain what was going on inside my head.” As though frustrated with himself, Cade rubbed a hand over his chin. “I would if I’d understood it myself. I have a group of…friends I meet with, and they sort of set me straight.”
“How so?”
He grimaced before he answered. “They basically told me I was an idiot, and I should’ve leaped at the chance to know you better, and to be honest, they couldn’t understand me turning down a home-cooked meal.”
Looking down, Hope did her best to hide her smile. “I like your friends.”
“I want to make it up to you,” he said. “Would you be willing to go out to dinner with me tonight?” Then he added in a rush, “I know it’s last-minute and that you probably already have plans, so if tonight doesn’t work, I’ll understand. Or if you’d rather not see me at all, I’ll understand that, too.”
Hope wanted to go to dinner with him, badly. “I can’t.”
Cade’s face fell.
“I’d love to have dinner with you, but I can’t leave Shadow locked up in the house on his first day with me.”
“Of course, I should have realized that.” His shoulders slumped forward for a moment before he straightened. “I could always get us take-out. Would that work?” Cade asked. “I could meet you back at the cottage or you could bring Shadow with you to my place, although it’s small.”
Hope loved how eager he sounded. “It’s so peaceful here, do you mind if we stay right here?”
He relaxed. “I think that’s a perfect idea.” He glanced over his shoulder, looking toward the parking area where the food trucks assembled. Most had left after Labor Day, although a few remained, eking sales from the last days of the season.
“How do you feel about hot dogs?” Cade asked.
That sounded exactly right. “Hot dogs are the best part of a picnic.”
“Do you think Shadow would like one?”