Song of the Surf (Pacific Shores Book 3) by Lynnette Bonner Page B

head a little shake to dispel the wave of dismay, and swung her attention to where Dakota was slipping into the passenger seat of a sporty red car while Justus held the door for her.
    She could feel the guy studying her. But he remained very still. Like a nature lover afraid of scaring off a flighty animal.
    As though he had some sort of magnetic force, her gaze returned to him. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve heard your name…?”
    He smiled. “Well, now I am offended.”
    She blinked.
    But his grin broadened and she realized he was teasing her.
    She wished she could will herself to offer him a smile in return. He had a nice smile. A handsome broad face and teeth stark white against his brown skin. Kind chocolate-mocha colored eyes. Dark curly hair just mussed enough to give him a bit of a rakish look. A face so different from Nate’s. Not just because Nate had been a red-head, but because Nate had never invited her scrutiny. He certainly wouldn’t have stood so patiently for it.
    Had Nate ever teased her? She chased the trail of history back to the very first time she’d met him and thought maybe he had back then. Back before… But all that had changed. She cradled her cast against her stomach and was surprised to feel her lips tip up at the corners, even if it was only just a bit.
    He tilted his head, and his gaze skimmed her face. “It’s good to see you at least try to smile. My name’s Jalen Rivera.” He stuck out one hand, but just held it there, letting her decide if she wanted to make the next move.
    She took in his thick muscular palm. It was a shade lighter than the dark skin around it. Broad blunted fingers. A working man’s calluses. Should she shake it? Why did every decision seem to take her forever lately? Just yesterday she’d stood for long minutes in the bread aisle, unable to make a decision on which loaf to buy.
    This was silly. Why wouldn’t she shake it? Finally she lifted her hand to his and her focus back to his face. “I’m Riley.” That sounded dumb. Because she’d spent hours with him the other day. He probably thought she was the strangest woman he’d ever met. She probably was the strangest woman he’d ever met.
    But he didn’t belittle her. He only said, “Nice to meet you, Riley.” His handshake was firm but gentle. Friendly. And then he released her and swept a gesture for her to move around the car since she’d asked him to drive. “I guess you know the way from here to the candle place, yeah?”
    She nodded at him over the roof of her Kia and then slipped into the passenger seat. The smell of cigarette smoke had never been more appalling to her. Maybe because of the contrast between the memories the smell evoked, and her more recent experiences with these new friends. She tucked her thumbnail between her teeth, leaned her elbow against the car door and stared out across the rolling green lawn of Serenity Shores.
    Jalen adjusted the seat and mirrors. Started the car. And then just sat there.
    She turned to look at him.
    He smiled gently. “At the end of the drive…which way do I turn?”
    Of course. Directions. “Sorry. Right at the end of the drive.”
    “Right. Got it.” His grin broadened. “You’re a woman of few words, Riley. Am I going to turn right and just keep driving until I hit ocean somewhere when you disappear into your own world again?”
    She studied him. The words could have been said with rancor. But there had only been gentle teasing and nothing else. A smile nudged for release for the second time that afternoon. “I’ll try to stay present and remember to tell you where to turn.”
    He gave her a wink. “Alright then. Let’s get those candles to the church, aye?”
    Jalen hadn’t said a word or even made a face or a noise about the smell of old cigarettes and spilled beer in her car.
    And it really was quite nauseating. The smell of all the candles in the backseat was only going to make it worse.
    She nibbled on her thumbnail without