The Cliffside Inn by Jessie Newton

Author:Jessie Newton [Newton, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JEN Publishing

Chapter Seventeen

Laurel Baker took Paul’s hand as they strolled along the boardwalk that bordered this part of the beach. She could feel him scanning the area too, and she wondered if they’d ever be able to simply go out without acting like cops.

She surveyed the landscape ahead too, but she was actually doing it for a dual purpose. One, to make sure there wasn’t any danger ahead, that the teens on the beach around their bonfires were being smart, and that the rules were being followed.

Two, she wanted to find a nice, secluded place where she could share her first kiss with Paul. They’d been out twice before tonight, and Laurel thought a third, amazing date was the perfect time for their first kiss.

He’d been holding her hand since the first date. On the second, he’d walked her right to her door, kissed her cheek and hugged her goodnight.

He planned dates too, which was something new for Laurel, as most of the men she dated wanted her to suggest things for them to do. Not Paul. Their first date had been a scooter tour of the island, with a miniature concert at three venues along the way. She’d really enjoyed a different way to experience Diamond Island, and she’d still been able to talk to Paul on the ride.

Their second date had been more traditional—dinner and a movie, but he’d taken her to the local drive-in, which was more of a dive-in, where they only showed old movies. They’d watched Jaws, shared popcorn, laughed, talked, and snuggled in the back of Paul’s pick-up truck. Laurel had enjoyed herself immensely, as Paul was articulate and kind, broad-shouldered and bearded, and just about everything that attracted Laurel to a man.

Tonight, he’d taken her to a couples cooking class, and they’d made their own stuffed pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, and basted asparagus. The whole night had been an experience, and Laurel liked watching Paul work with a knife in his hand, his movements slow but sure.

She’d learned that he was a decent cook; it was just a matter of having recipes to make that he knew he’d like. She’d told him about her family and her road to becoming a detective in Five Island Cove.

She hadn’t been born on the islands, but her father was a native. Her parents still lived in Nantucket, where her dad lived, breathed, and sold real estate. Laurel had come to the cove to visit her aunt one summer just out of college, and she’d fallen in love with the islands, the people, the food, and the traditions.

She loved the classic car parade, and the saltwater volleyball tournament. She loved the sailboats that dotted the waters, the many ways to eat seafood, and the hot air balloon festival.

“You said your sister is here?” Laurel asked as she spotted a set of stairs they could take down to the sand. The last bonfire sat twenty feet behind them, and perhaps she could persuade Paul to go out to the water’s edge to dip in their toes.

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