Forever at Conwenna Cove Read online

  ‘What?’

  ‘You don’t look well. I asked if you’re okay.’

  ‘Yes. I’m fine.’ She pulled her hand away from her hair and tucked it into her apron pocket, next to her other one.

  ‘If you don’t want to help, there’s no pressure. I’m going around asking people this morning, so I have an idea of who’ll be interested and what we can raise.’

  Zoe finally met his gaze and he did a double take. Her eyes were the darkest brown he had ever seen, surrounded by thick black lashes. Perhaps it was because he’d never been so close to her before, or he’d only seen her with sunglasses on, but he’d never noticed how pretty they were, how warm and soft they could be if only she’d let down her guard and relax.

  ‘It’s not that. Of course I’d like to help.’

  ‘You would?’

  ‘Yes. I love the dogs. But… will I… will I need to be on the beach during the competition?’

  ‘That’s entirely up to you. You can be as involved as you’d like. Again, no pressure. We’ll have the main part of the event at the cove and the surfing will take place over in Luna Bay, because there’s more space there, obviously. You can head over there, stay at the cove or stay in the village.’

  ‘Right. Okay. Thanks.’

  Her eyes roamed the diner as if she was searching for something.

  ‘You can even take part if you like,’ he added, jokingly.

  ‘Absolutely not!’ she snapped.

  Nate had hit a nerve, and the last thing he wanted to do was to upset her when he was hoping she’d agree to help. ‘Uh… Shall I leave you to have a think about it?’

  ‘No. It’s fine. I’ll sponsor the event and I’ll be happy to come to the cove, but I don’t have to go in the water, do I?’

  She started toying with her fringe again, and Nate experienced an urge to gently take her hand and stop her. It seemed to be a nervous habit, as if she reached for her hair when she was agitated, and he wondered if she did it a lot.

  ‘Only if you want to take part in the surfing, which you’re welcome to do. But I’m guessing that you don’t. I’m hoping we can get some big names here… you know, possibly professional surfers, but there’ll be room for everyone else to show off their board skills, too.’

  ‘I’m not getting in the water.’

  ‘No problem.’

  She really didn’t want to go in the sea and he wanted to ask why, but sensed that this wasn’t the time.

  Nate nodded then finished his milkshake, slurping the dregs through the straw.

  ‘Didn’t want to waste a drop, it was so good,’ he explained.

  ‘Good. I’m glad you liked it.’

  ‘Right, well, I’ll be off then. But let me give you my number and you can let me know what you want to contribute.’

  He read out his number and Zoe saved it in her mobile contacts, then sent him a text so he had hers.

  ‘When will it be?’

  ‘First weekend in August, probably.’

  ‘Gosh, that’s soon.’

  ‘That’s what I thought, but I wanted to get it done before I… well, when there are plenty of tourists around to make the most of it.’

  ‘I’d like it if we could do something to remember all the hounds we’ve lost.’

  ‘Of course… you fostered one for a while, didn’t you?’

  Zoe nodded. ‘Raven.’

  ‘Sorry for your loss.’ Nate grimaced as he recalled that it hadn’t been long ago and Zoe was probably still grieving.

  ‘She was a failed foster. I knew once she came to live with me that I’d never be able to let her go. I was going to adopt her properly but she…’ Zoe bit her lip and blinked hard. Droplets clung to her long lashes like diamonds, and Nate’s breath caught in his throat. He reached out automatically and took her hand. Her skin was warm and soft, and he could feel her pulse beneath the surface, fast, powerful, enticing.

  Zoe’s eyes widened at his touch and something passed between them, akin to an electric shock. Nate released her then stared at his hand as if it had acted without his approval. But he knew it hadn’t; he’d done what came naturally to him, trying to comfort Zoe when she was clearly distressed.

  ‘She passed away one night. My sweet girl. So…’ In front of his eyes, Zoe straightened her back and lifted her chin in a way that suggested she was used to putting on a brave front. ‘As I was saying, I’d like to have something to honour the lost dogs, too.’

  ‘Like a plaque, or a bench, or—’

  ‘Why not both?’ She clapped her hands.

  ‘A bench with a plaque on it?’

  ‘Yes. Somewhere that people can use it, people like me who loved and lost their dogs.’

  ‘We could ask about having it on the cliff overlooking the cove, or perhaps out by the harbour.’

  ‘Overlooking the cove,’ she said softly. ‘I’d like that, Nate.’

  The way she said his name made his heart skip a beat. It sounded different somehow, as if he’d never heard it said that way before.

  ‘Nate?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Are you okay? You seemed a bit far away then.’

  ‘I’m fine, thanks.’ He forced a laugh to prove it. ‘I was fantasizing about drinking that milkshake again.’

  ‘I can make you another—?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not now, but I’ll be back for one another time. If that’s okay?’

  She smiled then and this time it brought dimples to her cheeks; it was a warm, natural smile and Nate felt a bit strange, as if he’d never seen this woman properly before. He knew, in that moment, that he wanted to know more about her. Why did she play with her fringe when she was nervous, and why was she afraid of the water? He couldn’t imagine being afraid to go in the sea, and knew that it must be a terrible fear to have.

  ‘Next time, try a different flavour.’

  ‘Next time, you can surprise me again.’

  And, as he left the diner, he had a feeling she would.

  * * *

  Zoe closed the door behind Nate, then locked it. She pressed her forehead to the cool glass and closed her eyes. Her neck and shoulders were stiff with tension and she knew she’d suffer later if she didn’t try to relax now.

  She went back to the counter and got a bottle of water from the fridge, then opened it and took a long drink. This was silly, getting so worked up, and all because Nate had mentioned surfing and professional surfers, but it still had such an effect on her. She’d been trying to act nonchalantly but she knew she hadn’t pulled it off. For one, Nate had noticed her tugging at her fringe, which must have looked quite strange and two, he might not have realized it but he’d pulled a face when she’d asked for reassurance that she wouldn’t need to go in the water. Of course, she had reacted quite sharply when he’d mentioned her surfing but for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she’d felt a bit unsteady when he’d come in to speak to her, and that had let her guard down, which in turn had made her jumpy.

  She swallowed some more water then put the top back on the bottle and placed her hands on the counter. She took a few slow deep breaths and tried to imagine the tension leaving her body, travelling like smoke from her neck and shoulders, down her hands and out of her fingertips. The technique worked and she was soon able to function normally again.

  Zoe had to finish setting up for the day, then head up to the farm to get her ice cream. She knew that seeing the dogs would help her too; it always did.

  Nate Bryson was not who he seemed to be, though. Not at all. Zoe didn’t know him very well but had never thought he’d be the type to arrange a charity event. She’d heard about the first one but assumed he’d helped with it rather than been responsible for it, and she had to admit that she was impressed. He looked like a typical chilled-out surfer. Zoe knew she could be accused of stereotyping but she’d known a lot of surfers in her time, and Nate had seemed to fit the mould perfectly. She’d seen him around the village and in the cafe, always the centre of female atten
tion. It was hardly surprising as he was undeniably gorgeous, and he oozed that happy-go-lucky confidence that some women adored.

  But not Zoe.

  She didn’t like that in a man at all.

  Not after what she’d been through.

  However, Nate did seem like a decent guy and he was doing something good for the hounds at the sanctuary, so Zoe would try not to judge him. Whatever he got up to in his own time was his choice, but if he wanted her help with Surf for Sighthounds, then she would gladly give it. She just hoped that when he’d mentioned professional surfers, he’d been thinking of ones she didn’t know personally. But the chances of it being the one she did know, the one she knew very well indeed, were slim, so she’d try not to worry about that for now. After all, it was a big world and there were plenty of people out there who liked to surf.

  She smiled as she realized that she had regained her composure, so she went through to the back and got her bag, then let herself out of the back door into the sunny Cornish morning. It was a brand-new week and Zoe was actually looking forward to seeing what it would bring, and she was particularly uplifted by the thought that ice cream and greyhounds were at the top of the agenda.

  Chapter 4

  Zoe enjoyed an hour at Foxglove Farm, during which time she took one of the greyhounds on a walk around the nearby fields and then purchased her ice cream order for the diner. When she returned to work she felt completely ready for whatever the week would bring. She also knew that Neil had dropped a few hints about her considering adopting another hound, but she wasn’t ready yet. It wouldn’t be fair on the dog or on her.

  The morning at the diner was busy but not unbearably so, and it quietened down after one-thirty. When the door next opened, she was happy to see that it was Grace and Eve. She liked the two women, even though she didn’t know them very well; they were the type of women she had imagined she could be friends with when she was growing up.

  ‘Hello, Zoe.’ Grace gave her a warm smile as they reached the counter. ‘Are we in time for some lunch?’

  ‘Of course you are. Take a table and I’ll bring some menus over. What would you like to drink?’

  ‘Eve?’ Grace asked.

  ‘A lemonade, please.’

  ‘I’ll have the same, thank you.’

  Zoe took their drinks over with the menus.

  ‘No children today?’

  ‘Amy and Tom are at school,’ Grace explained. ‘I’m meant to be writing, but I’ve taken an hour off for lunch. An author’s got to eat, right?’

  Zoe nodded. ‘Definitely.’

  ‘And my aunt is watching Iain. He had me up and down last night, so she told me to take a break, then have a nap this afternoon.’ Eve smiled, even though she was quite pale. ‘Trouble is, I miss him when I’m away from him for just an hour.’

  ‘He’s a gorgeous baby,’ Zoe said. ‘But your Aunt Mary is right, you do need a breather now and then.’ She handed them the menus. ‘Let me know when you’re ready to order.’

  As the chef, Alistair, made the food in the kitchen, Zoe pottered about behind the counter. She was so glad she’d employed him: when she’d first opened, she’d tried to do it all herself and soon discovered how difficult it was trying to manage the business and cook all the food. She now employed two chefs: Alistair worked through the week and Kierney covered the weekends and any extra opening hours in peak season. Both had proved to be talented and adept in the kitchen, which left Zoe able to cater to her customers and to enjoy owning the diner.

  At the table near the window, Grace and Eve chatted away and occasionally a peal of laughter drifted over. Zoe wished she knew what it was that made them laugh, and she experienced a stab of nostalgia for her past. Growing up, she’d always been extremely close to her own best friend, Amelia; in fact, they’d been inseparable. They’d gone through primary school, high school and college together, then it had all changed a few years ago…

  She shivered. And that was why it was better not to let anyone into your heart and your mind. People couldn’t be trusted, however long you’d known them. At least keeping them at arm’s length meant that they couldn’t hurt you.

  When the food was ready, Zoe carried it to the table.

  ‘Here you go, ladies. Hope you enjoy!’

  ‘Ooh, thanks, Zoe, this looks wonderful.’ Grace smiled. ‘Things going well this summer?’

  Zoe slid her hands into her apron pocket.

  ‘Yes, thank you. Conwenna Cove certainly brings the tourists in and business has been steady since that gorgeous sunny weekend we had back in May. If it carries on like this, I might need to employ more waiting staff. I have two already, but it’s nice to be able to offer local people work, too.’

  ‘That’s wonderful, Zoe,’ Eve said, before biting into her veggie burger.

  ‘Do you want to join us?’ Grace asked. ‘Have you eaten lunch yet?’

  ‘No, but I had a snack up at the farm when I went to get my ice cream order. You know what Elena’s like – she always has fresh scones available to tempt you, and the kettle on the boil. I’ll eat a proper meal later.’

  ‘Elena makes the best scones, doesn’t she?’ Eve nodded. ‘Whenever I head up there, she always offers me a cuppa and cake.’

  ‘Sounds like my father.’ Grace smiled. ‘I can’t visit Mum and Dad without putting on half a stone.’

  ‘I wonder if your father will want to help out with the surfing event.’ The words escaped Zoe’s mouth before she even realized she’d thought them.

  ‘The one Nate’s arranging?’ Grace tucked her wavy red hair over her shoulder.

  ‘He came in to ask me if I was interested in being a sponsor.’

  ‘Jack said Nate really wants this to be a success, to give something back to the greyhounds before he leaves.’ Eve smiled. ‘He’s a good one is Nate.’

  Zoe’s heart fluttered. ‘Leaves?’

  Eve grimaced. ‘I don’t think I was meant to say anything about that. Not sure he’s told his aunt and uncle yet.’

  ‘He’s leaving?’ Zoe tried to maintain an even tone to her voice, but she was suddenly and inexplicably quite disappointed.

  ‘Apparently he’s going travelling for a while. He wants to see some of the world.’

  ‘Will he… uh… come back, or is it permanent?’ Zoe tried to keep her hands still in her apron pocket.

  ‘Oli said Nate told him he’d probably be back, but then Oli also said Nate could well fall in love with someone while he’s away and that could be that. I suppose he could meet a beautiful Australian surfer, and we know how much Nate loves to surf!’ Grace shrugged. ‘I’d be sad to see him go, though. He’s been a good friend.’

  Zoe bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself asking any more questions. Why should she care? Nate was everything she despised in men, with his devil-may-care attitude, sun-bronzed skin and easy smile. He reminded her far too much of things in her past that she’d prefer not to think about. If he was going away following Surf for Sighthounds, then that was a good thing and she couldn’t give a damn what he did.

  ‘When I arrived in Conwenna Cove, he made me feel so welcome. He was convinced that I’d stay, even though I only came to help Mum and Dad settle in. And when I first met Oli, Nate tried to reassure me that he was a good person, although initially he seemed a bit… standoffish.’ Grace’s eyes glazed over as she remembered.

  ‘Oli gave you the cold shoulder?’ Eve asked.

  ‘Kind of. But he was wary of women after what he’d been through.’

  ‘And now you’re living happily ever after!’ Eve winked at Grace and they both giggled.

  Zoe smiled at their happiness. She knew enough about them to realize that life hadn’t been easy for either of them, and she’d never begrudge someone their happy moments. Zoe had once been happy too, in spite of some ups and downs along the way. At one point, years ago, she’d believed that she had it all. Then she’d had her accident and it had all seemed to fall apart.

  But that was li
fe and there was no point crying over spilt milk, a broken surfboard or the fact that people often let down those they claimed to care about. She simply had to make the most of what she had now and ensure that she never ended up in a position where she could be hurt again: not by a surfboard, a best friend and definitely not by a man.

  * * *

  Nate poured the wine he’d opened into three glasses, then checked the table again. He’d invited his aunt and uncle up to the flat for dinner so he could speak to them about his plans. The week had flown and it was Thursday evening already. He’d been meaning to break the news to them for days but just hadn’t had the chance, and it wasn’t something he wanted to blurt out in the cafe when surrounded by customers. His aunt and uncle had been so good to him since he’d come to the cove and he owed them a proper explanation, so that was what he was going to do.

  It was ridiculous feeling nervous but, nevertheless, his stomach was churning, and he kept repeating the words he wanted to say over and over in his mind. He was thirty-four, and doing nothing wrong, but he’d become close to them in the five years he’d been in Conwenna and he didn’t want to hurt them or make them feel that his life there was lacking in any way. Because it wasn’t, not really. But he wanted to travel and he needed to let them know that without making them feel he wanted to get away from them.

  Once he’d told them, he would speak to his mother and then he’d be ready to face the world, after he’d ensured that the greyhound sanctuary had the proceeds from the surfing event, of course.

  ‘Nate?’

  ‘In here, Auntie June.’

  Nate smiled as his aunt entered his open plan lounge-diner through the door at the top of the steps at the rear of the cafe building.

  ‘Something smells good,’ June said, as she ambled over to Nate and gave him the hug she always did, even if she’d only said goodbye to him five minutes earlier.

  ‘I’ve gone for a very simple roast chicken with rustic dauphinoise potatoes. I hope that’s okay? It was something I threw together earlier, knowing I could leave it in the oven to cook.’