His response was the same as mine. “Nothing of importance. Mainly I walk in order to get tired enough to sleep.”
“Working on the house doesn’t do that?”
“Apparently not.”
I suspected his mind was occupied with thoughts of his brother and the car crash that claimed the other man’s life. Nick didn’t bring up the accident and I didn’t pry; that wasn’t my nature. I had secrets of my own and wasn’t prone to spilling them out like some trashy talk-show guest for strangers to dissect.
We both seemed caught up in the peacefulness of the moment, although I was well aware of the man sitting next to me. For reasons I didn’t want to examine more closely, I wanted to get to know Nick better. Yes, I was interested in his house, but it went beyond that. He intrigued me. The tragedy that had marked his life—the way he hid himself away and came out at night. The tragic hero had always attracted me. Strange, really, as it was highly unlikely I would be able to comfort or cure him.
Elvis rested between us in almost the exact spot where Rover loved to curl up. His head was inclined toward me as if waiting for me to speak. Nick reached down and rested his hand on the dog’s head, ruffling his ears.
“Did Elvis’s bark wake you?”
“Not at all—well, maybe,” I confessed. “I read until nearly one. Actually, I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately. Summers give me that opportunity,” I continued. If he suspected Elvis woke me, he might be tempted to avoid the inn, and I didn’t want him to do that, especially on my account.
“You only read in the summers?” he questioned.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher, and I don’t get much free time during the school year. I’ll be teaching in Cedar Cove Elementary come September, which is why I’m at the inn now, well, until I can find my own place.”
“Where did you move from?”
“Seattle.”
“You looking to rent or buy?”
“Buy.”
“Any luck finding what you want?”
“Not yet.” I avoided his gaze. “You plan on living in the house once you finish the renovations? I mean, you’re obviously living there now, but do you plan to stay?”
He sat up a bit straighter, as if he didn’t like my question. “What makes you ask?”
Fearing I wouldn’t be able to hide my interest, I shrugged as if I was simply making conversation. “No reason. It seems like a big house for just one person is all.” It suddenly occurred to me that he might not be living alone. I’d made the assumption, but I could be wrong. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask, when he answered me.
“It is a big house for just me,” he agreed, and then abruptly changed the subject, as if he wanted to avoid anything having to do with the house or his work there. “What made you apply for a job in Cedar Cove?”
I brought my feet up to the edge of the chair and rested my chin on my bent knees. “I was here last summer with a…friend for his class reunion and fell in love with the town.”
“A friend?”
“Yes.” I had no intention of elaborating. “The inn is wonderful. I don’t remember being anywhere where I’ve felt more at—”
“Peace?” he cut in.
“Yes,” I returned, surprised he knew what I was about to say. “I feel at home here, although eventually I’ll need to move on. You know how it is when you’re in limbo, waiting and impatient. I don’t feel that, though. I need to find my own place and I will eventually, but for now I’m content.”
“You’ll find a house,” he said confidently.
I sincerely hoped he was right. I didn’t want to pressure him, but at the same time I was curious. “What brings you here to the inn, especially this time of the night?” This was the question he’d avoided earlier. Set back from the street by a long driveway, Nick had to go out of his way to walk the property.
He took his time before speaking. “I sort of stumbled upon it during one of my midnight treks. For whatever reason, Elvis steered me here. I tugged on his leash, but he insisted we turn down the driveway. After a five-minute tug-of-war, I gave in and followed him. I don’t know what it is, but after walking around the inn I can find enough peace to go to sleep.”
His words surprised me. Jo Marie had mentioned that