“I guess you saw some of the scenery, then, out in the woods,” Pauline said politely.
His face warmed with understanding: she wouldn’t have phrased it like that if she’d thought he’d gone for an ordinary run along the streets. “Gorgeous scenery.” His tone was heartfelt. “The mountains, the trees, the sunset—I can see why people love it here. Makes me never want to leave.”
And when are you planning to leave? Where are you going when you do?
None of her business.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” she found herself saying. “Hardly been anywhere else, and hardly wanted to.”
His eyes kindled with interest. “Really? When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was get out and see the world. But now that I’m older, I’ve started to realize that having somewhere to really call home, where your roots are, might be a good thing, too.”
Had he seen the world? Judging by his clothes, it looked like he had some money. Maybe he’d traveled all over. A little embarrassed, Pauline admitted, “I’m a homebody. I like having my own home in my own familiar territory.”
Besides, anytime she wanted, she could shift into her owl form and fly into the sky, where it felt like she was skimming the edge of the world. Why would she need to go anywhere else, when she had that?
Carlos was smiling softly, his eyes still lit with that warmly interested spark. Pauline had to look away.
“I’d like to learn more about you, Pauline,” he said quietly. “Would you go to dinner with me?”
Pauline meant to say no. She really did. She never dated tourists, and she had far more important things to think about right now than a handsome, smiling man.
“All right,” she said instead.
His smile broke free into a beautiful, happy grin. “Great. Are you free tomorrow night?”
She was working the opening shift tomorrow. She nodded, caught up in a weird combination of excitement and misgivings.
“Six-thirty?” he offered.
“That works.” She couldn’t believe she was actually doing this.
At that moment, the happy family by the couch broke up from their hellos and turned around, Ken and Nate offering their greetings to Pauline and Stella and Lynn standing up as Eva escaped the crush of adults to thump upstairs.
“I was just leaving,” Pauline told the men. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“You’re welcome to stay,” Nate offered, glancing over at Stella and Lynn. “We have tea—”
The big, tough-looking security specialist offering her tea gave her a moment of pause, but she shook her head. “Thank you very much, but no. I have a few things to take care of. Have a good evening.”
They said their goodbyes, and she watched, bemused, as Carlos skillfully maneuvered everyone so that he was walking her to the door while the rest of them decamped to the kitchen.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow,” he said, taking her hand. “Can I pick you up somewhere?”
Pauline hadn’t thought of that. Should she give him her address? She’d just met him. He seemed so kind, and safe, but years of being cautious made her hesitate.
“Actually, here, let’s exchange numbers,” he said, just before her hesitation would’ve become awkward. “Maybe you can help me pick out a place to go.” He grinned, already pulling out his phone.
Grateful for the rescue, Pauline quickly rattled off her number. “See you tomorrow,” she told him.
He kissed her hand. Kissed her hand. And somehow it wasn’t weird or old-fashioned; it seemed entirely and completely natural. She shivered when his lips brushed her skin.
“Tomorrow,” he agreed, and she somehow pulled herself together enough to trip outside to her car.
She had a date. A date. With a handsome, thoughtful world traveler.
Who would probably be sweeping his impressive self back out of town in a few days.
That thought sobered her. She took a deep breath as she got back into her car, reminding herself that this wasn’t the start of anything. They’d have a nice dinner, maybe kiss a little bit—maybe more? her traitorous body tried to suggest—and then go their separate ways.