start this. If it’s meant to be, I’ll run into him of my own accord.”
“I wonder if that’s the lad Liam met at the coffee shop?” Fi mused. “Said he’d run into someone new to town who seemed friendly. Asked him to come ’round for a pint and he’d introduce him to a few people. Brogan was his name, I believe.”
“Was he at Ann’s Café? Like two days ago during the storm?”
“Aye, that was it.”
“That’s the man, then.” Kira shook her head at just how small the town really was.
“Brogan, huh? Now, why does that name seem familiar? I feel like Fiona was friends with a Brogan or something,” Gracie said. “I’ll ask her the next time she rudely pops in without invitation.” The last bit was said loudly to the ceiling so that if Fiona was near, she’d hear it. Turning to Fi, she said, “And you let us know when Liam goes for a pint with this Brogan.”
“No, please. I do not need you two meddling.” Kira raised her glass and glared at the both of them.
“Who said anything about meddling? I just want to take a peek,” Gracie said.
“I can’t be getting in trouble if I accompany my man to the pub now, can I?” Fi said, her voice deceptively sweet.
“And this is why I don’t live here anymore.” Kira groaned and dropped her face into her palms.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it again,” Gracie promised.
“I hope not.”
Chapter 5
Kira took to the hills.
It was what she always did when she needed to mull over her thoughts – she went for a wander. Preferably in nature, when her location allowed. Morgan was doing inventory and spreadsheets at the gallery today, so Kira had been all but shoved out the back door and given a free day.
Out of habit, she’d slung her Nikon around her neck, tucked a rain jacket in her side pack, and laced up a sturdy pair of waterproof boots.
Today the air was crisp, hints of spring coming to her on the wind. Kira turned her face to the sky where the sun struggled to peek out from behind the clouds. She loved the time between seasons, when things were changing and growing, or being put to rest. That in-between time – when nothing was certain – had always fascinated Kira. It was also why she liked taking photos of people at difficult moments in their lives. It was during times of transition that true character shone through.
She’d parked near Grace’s cottage, waving to her through the kitchen window where Gracie had thrown the shutters open. Kira didn’t bother her, knowing she had a big order to fulfill, but Gracie had nudged the door open so Rosie could join Kira on her wander. There was something nice about a friendship like this one, Kira mused, where she could show up on someone’s land, yet each woman knew the other needed to be alone.
“It’s still chilly, Rosie. You’ll tell me if you need to go back, right?”
I like it.
“Okay then. Just run around more if you need to warm up.”
Running is my favorite!
True to her word, Rosie raced in front of Kira, stopping to sniff different bushes and mark her territory.
Kira veered right, away from the cliffs; she was not in the mood for any messages from the cove today. Instead, she climbed higher into the hills behind Grace’s cottage, picking up a walking stick along the way to help her over some of the more difficult areas. Rosie navigated the climb with ease, turning back periodically to check on Kira, but they kept their own counsel as they walked.
Kira paused as she rounded a turn, surprised to discover a small pond that looked to be fed by a trickle of a river running through larger cliff faces. It was partially shaded by higher cliff walls and open on the other side to the hills below that rolled all the way to the sea, and Kira was certain she’d just found her secret nirvana.
“Why have I never seen this spot before?” Kira said out loud, turning in a full circle and automatically mentally framing up the photos she would take.
Takes time to walk here.
“It does, but it’s certainly worth it, isn’t it?” Kira smiled down at Rosie. “Mind if we stay a bit? I want to take some photos.”
Stay! Stay!
“That settles that.” Kira laughed. Picking up her camera, she fired off a few shots on instinct alone, knowing that often her first shots were her best