Free Keeping Guard by Christy Barritt

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.
    â€œReady to go?” Nate looked at her from across the table.
    Kylie nodded. “I am. The food was wonderful. I’m really glad you brought me here.”
    â€œYou’re going to take her to see Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown while she’s here, aren’t you?” Darlene gave Nate a pointed look. “And, of course, she’s got to get a guided tour of Yorktown, the place where the Revolutionary War was won. It’s only the best little town in America. That’s my unbiased opinion.”
    Kylie could see Nate trying to come up with an excuse as to why he couldn’t be her tour guide. She put him out of his misery. “I’m sure I won’t have time. I won’t be in town long, and while I’m here I want to get all the experience I can at Nate’s restaurant.”
    â€œHow’s it going so far? Nate’s not working you too hard, is he?” Harvey leaned across the table on his elbows and suspended his shaggy eyebrows. “If he is, I’m going to have to have a little talk with him.” His raised his eyebrows higher in exaggerated anger.
    Kylie laughed. “No, he’s not. Besides, hard work is good for the soul.”
    Darlene winked at Nate. “I knew I liked this girl for some reason. She’s pretty and she likes to work hard. Now that’s a great combination.”
    They all chuckled as they stood and went outside to their cars. The sun felt warm on Kylie’s shoulders, even though the breeze had a slight chill to it.
    After Kylie had climbed into Nate’s truck, he turned to her. “Where to? Grocery store? Mall? Drugstore?”
    â€œThe grocery store is fine. I just need to pick up a few things to hold me over until I go back home.”
    Nate went inside the grocery store with her and Kylie didn’t miss how he scanned every aisle. Bruce had said she’d 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. “Listen, I was thinking that this might be your only opportunity while you’re here to see the town. What do you say we put these groceries away and go explore Yorktown? It’s nice outside. You never know around here. It could be snowing tomorrow.”
    Kylie wondered about his sudden change in plans. Earlier he’d seemed dead-set against showing her around town. What had changed his mind? “A tour of Yorktown sounds nice. But I don’t want impose on you.”
    â€œIt would be my pleasure.”
    Were his words sincere? For the time being, she’d 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.
    â€œYou mind walking?” Nate asked as they walked down the stairs.
    â€œSome exercise would be nice.”
    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