Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I snap out of it, feeling guilty for spacing out on him.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll walk you out.”
I follow behind, then watch as he walks down the driveway to his car.
He waves and drives off.
I stand there, still shell-shocked.
11
AARON
“You brought your camera,” I point out a couple of days later on the trail. Jack hadn’t shown up yesterday morning, and I couldn’t help thinking it was because of what happened in his studio the night before. The pain on his face when discussing his family. I felt shitty for bringing it up and even texted him an apology.
He’d only replied: No worries.
I almost asked June the following morning at breakfast before considering how much of a mistake that would’ve been. No matter how open and friendly she seems.
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Because you haven’t yet, not that I’ve seen.”
“You’ve only been here for a handful of days. How could you possibly know what I’ve—”
I lift my hands in surrender. “You’re right. I overstepped.”
Jack is acting like nothing’s happened between us, and I’m fine with that, but damn, is he hard to read. In some ways, I can understand why. I’m not a local and will be leaving again, so why make the effort? I can ask myself the same question, but I can’t seem to stop wanting to see this man and talk to him more.
Halfway up the trail, we pause for a water break, and I watch as he aims the camera at the bright orange orb just appearing over the summit. I can’t stop watching him. Marveling at what a natural he is. I can picture him working for one of those nature magazines. Except for the travel. Jack seems too rooted here to ever leave.
“No way a place this beautiful is cursed,” I mutter to myself. Though the man at the tourist stand on Main Street might disagree. I could’ve sworn I spotted frog and whale pins as well as postcards that read a blessing and a curse.
“Another visit to Spellbound?”
“How did you know?” I stopped in Beth’s shop to thank her for the tea and crystal. I’ll admit I’m also just plain curious about her and her so-called gift. It’s fascinating, even if I’m still not sure I believe any of it. She seems genuine enough, though, and that’s what gives me pause. There seems to be an underlying melancholy to her otherwise cheery and welcoming demeanor, which tells me she believes everything she says about a person and the town’s energy. Almost like she’s the heartbeat of Aqua Vista, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.
He hitches a shoulder. “Lucky guess. Anything more insightful this time?”
“Apparently, I’ve got daddy issues.” That’s not really what she said, but I obviously took it to heart because I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
He bursts out laughing. “Sorry, I just… You do have a thing for—”
“Being manhandled?” I wink. “True. So she wasn’t that far off.”
“Still doesn’t mean anything,” he mutters as we start moving up the trail again. “Tell me why—I mean about your dad.”
“My parents had a tumultuous relationship. They would argue, and it would upset me, so I’d go off to my dad’s woodshop and try to blot out the sound.”
“Is that how you developed your passion for restoration—by working with your hands?”
“Probably.” I think about holding the sandpaper and how the sound of it against wood would bring me comfort. “Making something good out of the bad.”
“I get that.” His gaze drifts toward the ocean. “So what happened with your parents?”
“Dad eventually left us, and Mom was heartbroken, though she was better off.”
“Did he ever…put his hands on her?”
“No, nothing like that.” Though the fighting certainly took an emotional toll. “Just never agreed on anything.”
“Maybe they just didn’t know how to talk to each other.” His eyes get this faraway look in them. “I wonder how many relationships fail because of that.”
“Well, there is a fifty percent divorce rate in this country.”
He nods. “Words hurt and can make the relationship unrepairable.”
I study him. “Yeah, I hear you on that. You can’t take back words.”
His tone holds a hint of anger as he lobs, “You certainly can’t.”
“Are you speaking from experience?”
“Maybe.” He averts his eyes. “I just appreciate honesty. Unless it’s brutal honesty for the sake of hurting someone.”
It sounds like he’s talking about more than just my situation. “Was it that way with your parents?”
“No, they were almost too perfect.” He laughs humorlessly. “Made me not even want to pursue any sort of relationship if it wasn’t as good as theirs.”
“So you’re holding out for the perfect man?” I tease.
He smirks. “Not exactly. Maybe I was at one time, but I’m good alone.”
A gloominess accompanies his response, but I don’t call him on it.
My thoughts wander to my mom. Would she enjoy Aqua Vista? Not the hiking, due to her asthma, but the vibe and fresh air. She’s never seemed quite the same after Dad walked out when I was in high school. He’s remarried and has a whole other family now, but she’s hardly dated since then. At least she has friends and work to keep her occupied, but I still feel guilty when too much time has gone by between phone calls or visits.