Page 61 of The Beachside Rental

“Because I’m already getting hungry.”

She frowned.“Didn’t you like the lunch I brought you?”

“I loved it.But I haven’t had kebabs in a long time, so they sound particularly good.”

“I was thinking of making some tzatziki sauce to go with it.”

“Now you’re just being mean by making me wait,” he teased.

“So you don’t have to wait even longer, we better get going.Where would you like to walk?Into town?Or the beach?Although, I don’t know if it’s cleaned up after the storm.”

“I heard them working on the beach.Let’s go see what they accomplished.”

“Sounds good to me.”

He gestured for her to lead the way to the back door.“Shall we?”

As she walked past him, she couldn’t help but think that she could get used to this.Most definitely.

After they’d descended the steps, Gus pulled on his lead.He was anxious to run free.Jenna understood why Simon had him tethered, but she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the dog.

Simon reached over and attempted to take her hand in his own, but his brace made it awkward.

When she glanced at his arm, she noticed redness peeking out from the bandage over the stitches on his forearm.“Does that hurt?”

His brows scrunched together.“What?”

“Your stitches.”

He shrugged.“They’re fine.”

She noticed he didn’t really answer the question.“Are you following the doctor’s instructions?”

He glanced over at her and arched a brow.“Yes, Mom.”

“Hey.I’m just watching out for you.You don’t want it getting infected or anything.”

“Don’t worry.I’m doing everything he told me.”Simon stopped walking.When Gus backtracked to find out the problem, Simon said, “Okay, boy.I’m going to let you off your lead, but don’t run off.Okay?”

Gus stared at Simon.The dog’s head was cocked to the side, as though he listened to Simon.Jenna smiled.She wondered if Gus understood any of what Simon had said.

Soon the dog once more had his freedom, and he took off running down the beach like he was an energetic pup once more.Her fingers were laced with Simon’s.The sun warmed her face while the ocean breeze kept her comfortable.

“I read some more of your book last night.”She yawned.She noticed he didn’t say anything.It made her wonder why he wasn’t interested in her reading his book.Maybe he was worried she wouldn’t like it, so she said, “I really like it.I might have stayed up half the night reading it.”

He glanced her way.“Now, I know you’re making that up.”

“I’m not.I swear.It’s really good.No wonder they are making movies of your books.”

This time she noticed her words caused a splash of color on his cheeks.And she smiled.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.But you don’t have to read it on my account.I know it’s not your type of book.”

“But it doesn’t hurt to try different genres.Who knows?It might become one of my favorite genres.”

A comfortable silence fell over them as they strolled along the newly cleaned beach.If she didn’t know there had been a big storm recently, she wouldn’t have guessed from the pristine condition of the beach.

“So, how is your presentation coming along?”He glanced over at her.