than the food was the conversation. Harvey and Darlene kept her entertained with their banter and their good-natured ribbing of Nate. Nate took it well, smiling and laughing pleasantly. Maybe Kylie had misjudged Nate. When he stepped away from the restaurant, he actually seemed likable.
âReady to go?â Nate looked at her from across the table.
Kylie nodded. âI am. The food was wonderful. Iâm really glad you brought me here.â
âYouâre going to take her to see Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown while sheâs here, arenât you?â Darlene gave Nate a pointed look. âAnd, of course, sheâs got to get a guided tour of Yorktown, the place where the Revolutionary War was won. Itâs only the best little town in America. Thatâs my unbiased opinion.â
Kylie could see Nate trying to come up with an excuse as to why he couldnât be her tour guide. She put him out of his misery. âIâm sure I wonât have time. I wonât be in town long, and while Iâm here I want to get all the experience I can at Nateâs restaurant.â
âHowâs it going so far? Nateâs not working you too hard, is he?â Harvey leaned across the table on his elbows and suspended his shaggy eyebrows. âIf he is, Iâm going to have to have a little talk with him.â His raised his eyebrows higher in exaggerated anger.
Kylie laughed. âNo, heâs not. Besides, hard work is good for the soul.â
Darlene winked at Nate. âI knew I liked this girl for some reason. Sheâs pretty and she likes to work hard. Now thatâs a great combination.â
They all chuckled as they stood and went outside to their cars. The sun felt warm on Kylieâs shoulders, even though the breeze had a slight chill to it.
After Kylie had climbed into Nateâs truck, he turned to her. âWhere to? Grocery store? Mall? Drugstore?â
âThe grocery store is fine. I just need to pick up a few things to hold me over until I go back home.â
Nate went inside the grocery store with her and Kylie didnât miss how he scanned every aisle. Bruce had said sheâd be safe with Nate, and apparently he was right. Nate never seemed to let down his guard. After Kylie paid for her groceries, they went back to the truck and started to Yorktown. Silence stretched between them as the truck rumbled down the road.
Ten minutes into the trip, Nate finally spoke. âListen, I was thinking that this might be your only opportunity while youâre here to see the town. What do you say we put these groceries away and go explore Yorktown? Itâs nice outside. You never know around here. It could be snowing tomorrow.â
Kylie wondered about his sudden change in plans. Earlier heâd seemed dead-set against showing her around town. What had changed his mind? âA tour of Yorktown sounds nice. But I donât want impose on you.â
âIt would be my pleasure.â
Were his words sincere? For the time being, sheâd believethey were. Besides, spending the afternoon with Nate beat being cooped up in that apartment until the morning.
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After putting the groceries away, Kylie changed into jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers. Nate promptly knocked on her door at the promised time. When Kylie saw him, she again had to suck in a breath. Even dressed in jeans and a casual, button-down shirt he made her heart race inexplicably. The last thing she needed from her visit here in Yorktown was to develop a crush on someone who already considered her a burden.
She stepped out of her apartment, looking away from Nate in hopes of slowing her heart down.
âYou mind walking?â Nate asked as they walked down the stairs.
âSome exercise would be nice.â
She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt as they started toward the sandy beach across from the restaurant. As they walked, seagulls cried their sad songs as they