4
Katie pulled a pillow over her head, in a vain attempt to drown out the noise. But the insistent banging filtered through, forcing her into consciousness. She flopped over, pushing the pillow away, and blinked against the bright sunlight, filtering through the blinds.
Sunlight! She jolted upright. I overslept! I’ll be late for work!
Working her arms free from the tangle of a fluffy white comforter, she glanced around the alien room, taking in the light blue walls dotted with friendly pastel beach paintings.
Indigo Bay—the pink cottage. The memories snapped into place just as the banging stopped and her cell phone began to ring.
She snatched it from the bedside table. “Hello?” Her voice came out as a croak.
“Good morning! This is Gary.” He sounded entirely too cheery for early in the morning.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t handle happy this early in the morning.” She ran her fingers through her tangled hair.
“It’s 10:45. Did I wake you up?”
“It can’t be 10:45!” She leapt out of bed, her bare feet landing on the smooth wood floor. “I don’t sleep in. I’ve never done that in my entire life. Well, there was that one time… but I had pneumonia…”
Gary chuckled. “You’re on vacation. You’re supposed to sleep in.”
She carried her phone into the bathroom, groaning at her mascara-smeared reflection in the mirror. Since when did she forget to take off her makeup at night?
“What time did Mr. Gherring get up?”
“Five o’clock.” he admitted. “But Steven’s in training. We went for a ten-mile run this morning.”
She spied her bathroom kit spread open on the vanity counter, toothbrush near the sink. Thank goodness she hadn’t forgotten to brush her teeth before bed. She turned her phone on speaker and set it down.
“If he’s been up since five, he’s probably itching to get some work done. Tell him I’m sorry. I’ll be right over.” She spread toothpaste on her toothbrush and scrubbed, talking around the foam. “Except I don’t know how to find your cottage.”
“Relax,” Gary said. “Steven told me he shouldn’t need you until Monday. Right now, he’s gone for a swim, and I’m here to deliver some groceries.”
“You’re here? Waiting outside? I’m not even dressed.” She spit out her toothpaste and splashed water on her face, smoothing her hands over her hair, which had turned frizzy overnight. I hate humidity!
“I’ll wait.”
“You could leave the groceries, if you want.”
“No hurry. You’ve got a nice porch swing out here, and I’m enjoying the ocean breeze.”
Her intention had been to iron all her clothes and hang them in the closet. But whatever had taken place between the terrifying airplane landing and the moment she fell into her bed had not included any unpacking. She hurriedly located the bag of sundresses, selecting one that seemed less wrinkled than the others. Cringing at the tornadic state of her room, she shut the door, leaving her king-sized bed unmade.
Another first. Not sure that’s progress.
She flung the cottage door open, somehow not prepared to see Gary wearing shorts and a tank top, his muscular arms draped across the back of the porch swing like an enticing buffet. Her attempt at “Hi” came out more like an H with a bunch of hot air, followed by a dry cough.
He stood and stretched, flexing his shoulders, a sight which made her already parched mouth feel like it was stuffed with saltine crackers.
“Let me bring these groceries in for you.” He nodded toward two paper sacks on the porch beside the door.
Realizing conversation would be impossible in her current condition, Katie dashed ahead. The kitchen looked like something out of a magazine, the glass doors of its white cabinets revealing brightly colored stoneware and matching cups, one of which she grabbed and filled with water from the refrigerator door, hoping it was filtered. Gulping it down her parched throat, she was relieved at the fresh taste.
Gary sauntered inside just as she downed a few swallows. “Where do you want them?”
“Next to the refrigerator, I guess.”
She began to unpack the bags, noting all her favorite staples—Greek yogurt, berries, granola, leafy greens, eggs, cheese. “Thanks for the groceries. How’d you know what to get?”