“Moonstone Beach?” Aubrey squinted. “Today? I thought you’re up to your neck with work.”
“The construction isn’t finished, and our production manager is gone for the time being. I don’t need to roam around the set like a pest when there’s nothing I could do about the delay.” Landon scratched the back of his neck. “I think you and I could both use a breather.”
“Moonstone Beach. It does sound beautiful.” Aubrey hesitated even though the idea of a fun day with Landon was eroding away her caution. “Where’s this place again?”
“In Cambria, a small town about an hour from here. I think you’ll like it there. It reminds me of Weldon but it’s set along the coast rather than a river.” With amusement twinkling in his eyes, Landon laid down what obviously was his trump card. “And I don’t think you’d want to miss their olallieberry pie.”
“Olallie-what?” Aubrey burst out laughing.
“Oh, it’s just about one of the best pies in the state.”
“I’m intrigued.” Resisting Landon was hard enough, butwhen pie was added to the equation, she didn’t stand a chance. “Okay, I’m in.”
“Good choice. I’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes. And don’t forget to grab a jacket. It’s about thirty degrees cooler over there.”
As they neared Cambria, Landon switched off the AC and opened the windows to let in the salty air. He wasn’t kidding about the thirty-degree difference. The brisk wind spread goose bumps on Aubrey’s arms. She tugged on her cardigan without taking her eyes off the panorama. Gray clouds hung above Moonstone Beach as if signaling an impending storm, and the bleak beauty of the coastline squeezed at her heart.
“Do you think it’ll rain?” Aubrey leaned forward in her seat to peer out the window.
“Nope. Those clouds are permanent fixtures in these skies.”
The conversation in the car dwindled as a pensive mood overtook them. The waves were breaking mercilessly against the jagged cliffs surrounding the beach, and the morning fog layered a poignant sadness to the scene. Even after parking the car, they sat ensconced in the warm silence for a few extra minutes.
“Ready to find out why they call this Moonstone Beach?” Landon asked.
Aubrey shook herself out of her reverie and beamed at him. She was suddenly giddy with excitement.A whole day with Landon.And what an amazing start to their day.
Moonstone Beach was covered with colorful coin-size stones that glistened and beckoned to them as the waves washed over them. The spell of the poignant beauty refused to release her, and Aubrey stood staring out at the ocean, watching the soft break of the waves on the beach. Despite her light jacket, she couldn’t stop shivering against the chill of the breeze.
When Landon put his arm around her and pulled her close, Aubrey nestled against him, unwilling to fight the wonder of the moment. They stood still with the gusty breeze tousling their hair, and she felt at one with him—as though their connection was as ancient as the ocean and the stony cliffs carved by the waves.
A force greater than her insecurity was at work between them, and she couldn’t fight against it anymore. At the very least, she had to face the truth—she yearned for more. Aubrey wanted to share moments like this with Landon year after year. She wanted him to be hers and hers alone.
Want. Want. Want. More. More. More.
The little seed ofmoreplanted itself deep in her heart, and the contentment she’d forced on herself withered and crumbled. Even if she did nothing with her newfound truth, she would stop running from herself.
“Do I have time to pilfer some of these moonstones?” She forced a carefree smile on her face.
“Take all the time you need.”
She collected the beautiful stones—pink heart-shaped stones, clear azure stones, warm bronze stones, and a myriad of others in amazing colors. Soon the stones started toppling out of her cupped palm, and Aubrey frowned in frustration. When her attempts to rebuild the stone tower failed, Landon took the stones from her hand, chuckling low in his chest.
“I had no idea you’re so greedy.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes at him. “I’m only greedy when it involves pretty,freemoonstones.”
She returned her focus to the task at hand and didn’t stop until both of Landon’s jacket pockets were weighed down with her collection. “Okay. I think I’m done.”
“Good.” Landon pointed to his drooping jacket. “My pockets have reached maximum capacity.”
“Moonstone picking is hard work.” Aubrey stood up with a sheepish grin and stretched her back. “I’m starving.”
“I know the perfect remedy.” Landon took her arm and led her to the car.
At first glance, the restaurant looked about as big as a walk-in closet at the villa, but when the hostess led them to their table, Aubrey saw that there was a whole garden at the back dedicated to serving its patrons alfresco.
Abundant green foliage wove through the pergolas and arches, and sunlight streamed in through the dense leaves. The garden was decorated with shimmery giant butterflies and chubby colorful mushrooms, giving it a dash of whimsy.
