He went back to sorting through the bills. He startled slightly when he heard a woman’s voice. “I’d like to rent a bike.”
It was a melodious voice—lyrical, full of emotion. Lyrical? He smirked inwardly at the sudden poetic turn of his thoughts. His high school English teacher would be so proud.
He looked up and smothered his surprise, clenching his jaw. It was the woman who ran into him yesterday at Coastal Coffee. Just what he needed. A customer who couldn’t even walk out a door without running into people wanted to rent a bike.
Chapter4
Tori looked at the man behind the counter and tried to hide her surprise. It was the man who had run into her at the coffee shop yesterday. But he didn’t act like he recognized her. She shifted uncomfortably at his lack of awareness, not knowing if she should bring it up or not. She decided not bringing it up was the smartest choice.
She swept her gaze around the shop. It was clean and neat, with a faint scent of oil and rubber. Daily and weekly rates were clearly posted behind the counter. The faint sound of a radio drifted out from the back of the shop through a door that said no admittance.
“So, a bike?” she asked again.
“Yes, we rent bikes here,” the man said brusquely.
“I need a bike for a few weeks, I imagine.”
“You don’t know?” His steel-blue eyes narrowed.
“I’m not sure how long I’m staying. Could be a few weeks. Could be longer.” Did he want to rent her a bike or not? And was it any of his business that she had no idea how long she was staying? If she was staying? Or why she was even here on Magnolia, for that matter. Everything about his attitude made her bristle.
“Let’s go outside and you can choose one.” It was more of a command than an ask. He came out from behind the counter and strode toward the door with an obvious sense of purpose.
She followed along behind him, irritated but not knowing if there was another bike shop on the island where she could rent a bike from someone who actually wanted to do business with her.
He stood at the side of the line of bikes, his arms crossed over his chest. His broad shoulders were set in a stance of annoyance. The morning sun lit up the gray streaks in his dark brown hair. A dark tan highlighted the rugged set of his jaw. He might even be handsome if he weren’t so… unapproachable.
“You do know how to ride a bike, don’t you?”
“Of course.” She bristled. But did she still remember?”
“Want a three-wheeler? They’re more steady but a bit harder to navigate around corners.”
“No, a regular bike is fine.”
He looked at her doubtfully. “Pick one. Try it.”
She looked over the array of bikes in bright colors. The sun cast shadow images of them on the pavement. Nervousness swept over her. What if she didn’t remember how to ride? What if she fell in front of him? Then anger crept through her at her self-doubt. And why did she have to prove anything to him, anyway?
She grabbed a teal bike with a big basket on the front and wheeled it out to the edge of the street. Climbing on it, she sent a little prayer skyward that she remembered how to ride. She stood on one pedal, pushing it down until the bike started to move. She wobbled a bit as she got started, but thankfully she managed to steer it straight and headed down the block. Her cheeks rose with a goofy grin as she realized she had this. Shecouldride. When she got to the end of the block, she turned around and rode back, her confidence mounting with each rotation of the pedals.
He was still standing there, watching her carefully. Yes, hemighthave been handsome if he wasn’t such a grouch.
“See?” She climbed off the bike, proud of herself.
“Good. I don’t really like to rent to people who just fancy that they know how to ride.”
How did he ever do any business with his grumpy attitude? “I’d like this one if it’s available.” She felt like she’d made a connection with it. It had proven to him, to her, that she could still ride. She needed all the support she could get these days, even if it came from inanimate objects.
He nodded and headed back inside without another word. He rang her up, still not speaking. “Call if you have any problems. Number is on the receipt.” But the words were said automatically, not like he really wanted her to call with any problems.
Finally, he handed her the receipt, and their gaze locked briefly. She snatched the receipt and tucked it in her pocket. “Thank you. Hopefully, I won’t have any problems.” Because she sure didn’t plan on ever calling him for help.
She headed to the door and took one last look back at the surly owner. He was already back sorting through his paperwork without a further glance at her.
Fine. He must be the only rental shop on the island if he still got customers with that attitude of his.
She climbed back on the bike—a bit unsteady at first—and glanced at the window to see if he was watching her. Good. No sign of him. She wobbled down the street a bit until she caught her balance again. See, this wasn’t going to be too hard now, was it? A small thrill of independence seeped through her. She could do what she wanted, when she wanted, answering to no one. She reached forward and jangled the bell on the handlebar, a smile slipping onto her lips. The breeze blew her hair and the rhythmic motion of pedaling soothed her nerves. A strong sense of freedom surged through her. This was her life now. Tori’s life. And she planned on fully embracing it.
