Kate Sherwood - Dark Horse 01 - Dark Horse by Kate Sherwood

Author:Kate Sherwood [Sherwood, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

T HERE are six of them going on the trip, and there’s really only room for four in Scott’s car, so Dan says he’ll drive, and Ryan offers to ride with him to help navigate. The truck has a good-sized back seat, so there’s lots of room for Robyn and Ryan both, but Dan isn’t surprised when Robyn decides she’d be more comfortable riding in the car. Dan reminds himself that he’d spent a good part of the previous day with Ryan and had enjoyed it, but his hands are still a little sweaty when he climbs back behind the wheel. Ryan seems relaxed, though, and makes easy conversation as they drive, and Dan calms down pretty quickly.

It’s a beautiful day and the drive takes them through some scenic countryside, so a lot of the time they’re both just looking outside and appreciating the view. They tend to talk more when they drive through the fingers of urban sprawl that stretch out from the city. Ryan tells Dan about his musical ambitions, and Dan explains the basics of eventing and how he earns his living. There are no huge revelations, but by the time they pull in beside Scott’s car in the Santa Cruz parking lot, Dan at least feels a bit more confident in his assessment that Ryan is a good guy.

The Californians have been to the seaside town before, and they already have somewhere in mind for lunch. Dan and Robyn are happy to go along. After the meal, they all walk down along the boardwalk, but it’s really too crowded for a group of six, so they divide up with plans to meet for dinner, and again Dan finds himself with Ryan. It’s neither unexpected nor unwelcome. He thinks briefly of the electricity he’d felt from Jeff that night in Kentucky, but then remembers how quickly that seemed to have faded into nothingness. He might not feel a fiery passion for Ryan, but he is developing a gentle affection, and maybe that’s better in the long run. It’s certainly less confusing.

They spend a couple of hours on the boardwalk, poking around in the touristy shops. There are rides, but Dan isn’t a big fan. He’s not afraid of speed, but he’d rather be at the controls than sitting passively. And Ryan doesn’t seem to care too much one way or another, so they don’t bother. They run into Robyn and Scott a couple times, and see Nikki and Molly in the line for salt water taffy, but otherwise they’re on their own.

They make it to the far end of the boardwalk and find a little niche where they can take a break, leaning with their arms braced on the railing, looking out at the ocean. Dan takes a deep breath of the salty air, and lets his shoulders relax. He looks over and sees Ryan grinning at him.

“Not a huge fan of the crowds?” Dan laughs a bit sheepishly. He must come across as totally neurotic. “Nah, I’m fine.

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