“It’s not your imagination. I noticed it too. It didn’t register, because that’s typical during the summer season, especially around weekends. But it’s a significant increase over what we’ve been seeing this May.”

“Good to know—and I’ll take it as a hopeful omen for the future too.” She resettled the material in the crook of her arm. “Let me know if you decide you want to toss around presentation ideas.”

“I will.” He crossed to the door and opened it for her. “Drive safe.”

Again, she hesitated. As if she was hoping he’d offer to walk her to the car.

Not happening.

She might have decided she was ready to test the waters of a new relationship, but he wasn’t there yet—even if the thought of a kiss in the dark by her car was tempting.

Very tempting.

However, he wasn’t a naïve, bedazzled country boy with unruly hormones anymore. He could summon up the willpower to remain hands-off for a while. Wait-and-see was the safest strategy.

But if no red flags went up over the next few weeks—and he survived his presentation?

All bets were off.

“How come you keep looking toward the street?”

At Noah’s question, Steve refocused on the boy seated across from him at the picnic table in the park.

“I’m watching for Beth.”

“Are you afraid she won’t come?” Noah gathered up a few stray pieces of purple cabbage from the white butcher paper that served as his plate and put them back in his taco.

“No.” Not after their dinner Thursday night at the upscale restaurant in Coos Bay that had long been their favorite special occasion place.

An appropriate choice for their date—because Thursday had been a special occasion.

No, Beth hadn’t yet agreed to come home—and the closest they’d gotten to a kiss was his peck on the cheek after he took her back to her apartment.

But they’d talked. Really talked. Heart to heart. And unless his gut was failing him, the road to reconciliation would be short from this point forward.

Two seagulls fluttered to the ground beside the table and waddled up to Noah.

“Can I give them a piece of fish?” The boy watched as the two birds cuddled feather to feather.

“Sure—but be prepared for a tussle. It’s survival of the fittest in the natural world.”

Noah broke off a chunk and tossed it to them.

The bird with a nicked beak stretched its neck and snatched it midair.

“See? That will be gone faster than—”

The gull set it on the ground, pecked it apart, and pushed half toward his companion.

Steve did a double take.

That was a first.

“Ah. I see Floyd and Gladys have dropped in for a visit.” Charley sauntered over, a brown bag in hand.

“Are they your pets?” Noah stared at the man.