The next morning I woke with the sun and stretched, enjoying the peace. Since this week, like last, I was working Aunt Jackie’s late shift and Aunt Jackie had agreed to take Saturday’s early shift, I had four mornings of no alarm bliss to look forward to. I stretched and dressed in my running clothes, giddy about my ability to sleep in late tomorrow. I’d pushed bedtime back last night, wanting to read one more chapter. Tonight I’d finish the book, no matter what time it was when it ended. I could get used to this schedule. Maybe I should make it a permanent change?
Emma and I took off for the beach. The run was glorious. The waves pounded the shoreline, keeping time with the slap of my running shoes. Emma ran ahead, then back to me, then ahead again. When I realized the shape in front of us was actually a man walking toward us, though, I put her back on the leash.
“Good morning, Miss Gardner.” Taylor Archer stopped in front of me, dressed in jeans and a sweat jacket. “I understand you and your friends will be joining in our fun on Sunday.”
“That’s what I hear.” I scanned the far parking lot and saw a white van. “I didn’t realize you lived around here. It’s a great place to run in the morning before the beach gets busy.”
He put his hands in his jeans pocket. “I’m not much of a runner, bad knees. But I do enjoy getting out and walking. It clears my head.”
He stepped closer, and Emma growled low, back in her throat.
Taylor stepped back. “I can see it’s going to take some time for us to make friends.” He looked up at me. “And you’re skeptical of me, as well.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Of course, I really would, but not to the guy’s face. I do have some manners.
He looked past me. “I can be a really good friend.” His words dropped, like he really wanted to add, “or a bad enemy,” but maybe that was just a feeling I got.
“I’m sure you can be . . .” I paused, looking for a word besides nice, which really didn’t describe the guy. Instead of responding, he put a hand up to wave me off and walked away. As I turned to watch him go, I saw what he’d been looking at: Bill and Mary Sullivan were walking toward us, holding hands.
They nodded to Taylor and waved to me. As they approached, Emma lay down in the sand, wiggling her pleasure at seeing the two.
“Hey, Jill.” Bill crouched down and petted Emma on the head. “Who’s the good girl?”
Mary gave me a quick hug. “I haven’t seen you in weeks. How have you been? How’s Jackie? With this new committee, her job, and now Harrold, I barely get to talk to her.”
“I’ve been good. Busy.” I watched as Taylor disappeared into the woods where the greenbelt started. It was only then that my shoulders sank, and I realized I had been holding my breath.
“Do you know that guy?” Still crouching, Bill turned to see what I was looking at.
“Kind of. He’s part of that geocaching club that Kacey was into. I’ve talked to him a few times. Emma really doesn’t like him.”
“She’s a good judge of character.” Bill gave Emma a kiss on the nose, then stood. “You should take her warnings to heart.”
“Bill, you shouldn’t scare the girl. No one’s going to mess with her when she’s got Emma in tow.” Mary leaned in to her husband, her arm going around the crook of his elbow. “So, you tell your aunt to call me. Just because she has a new man in her life doesn’t mean she can ignore her friends. Men come and go, but girlfriends are forever.”
“I’ll tell her that.” I checked the time on my watch. “I’ve got to open the shop in less than an hour. I guess I’d better head home.”
“Do you want us to walk with you?” Bill scanned the beach in the direction Taylor had disappeared.
“I’m fine, but thanks.” I grinned. “I’ve got one of South Cove’s finest living in my shed.”
Mary frowned. “Greg moved in with you? Are you sure that’s a smart idea? You know what they say about free milk and cows.”
I tried not to giggle at her analogy. “No one’s living with me. Toby needed a place to stay, so we set up the back shed for him. It makes a nice little apartment.”
“Well, isn’t that nice. I’m sure the extra money comes in handy.” Bill gave Emma one last pat. “Being a good landlord is all about setting boundaries. Just remember that piece of advice from the professional here.”
As Emma and I ran home, I thought about what Bill had said. Was I really a landlord? Bill and Mary ran the South Cove Bed-and-Breakfast, so they knew what it took to rent out a place. I hadn’t even talked to Toby about charging him rent. And would people think he was living with me? Like in a boyfriend-girlfriend kind of way? I hadn’t thought this idea through enough. Of course, most of my decisions were made that way, spur of the moment and by the seat of my pants. Why should this be any different?