Free Carved in Stone: Monochrome Destiny by T L Blake Page B

breath.
    “You’re
cold.”
    Yes,
she was cold.  He had no idea how cold after such overwhelming warmth, but
she wasn’t going to admit it.  Breathing deeply, she found her
voice.  “I must get going.  It’s a long walk back.”
     
    She was
incredible and indescribably stupid.  Her stance would have been a solid
wall of stubborn if it hadn’t been for the shudders that vibrated her entire
body.  The walk back to Holbrook would take a good half an hour under the
best of circumstances, but after yesterday’s rain, he could bet it would take
double.  The old path had never been much and today it would be a muddy
quagmire.  She would freeze well before she got near the old
cottage.  That, he couldn’t allow.
    As
Robyn bent down to grab her bag, Andrew stepped forwards and grabbed her upper
arm.  “You’re not walking back like that.”  He knew it was a command,
but this woman would listen to no less.  “You’re coming with me, at least
until you’re dry.”
    “You
can’t order me around.  I’m not one of your pupils.”  She threw off
his hold and he watched as her fists bunched at her sides.
    Exasperating
woman, did she not know what it would do to him to have her in his home? 
Yet he could no more allow her to foolishly walk home in her condition than he
could pass an injured child without attempting to help. “If you were one of my
pupils, you’d know better than to argue.”
    Turning
his head to face the beach, Andrew whistled for Max.  He knew the canine
would be frolicking in the waves.  It was his favourite pastime after all,
but he needed to get control of this situation and do it quickly.  Robyn,
and Max, were both going back to get warm and dry.
    Max
bounded up with his wet tennis ball in his mouth and ran immediately to
Robyn.  Wagging his tail and panting, he had a look of delight in his
great big eyes as he dropped the ball at her feet.  Without thought, she
bent and patted him on the head before rubbing behind his ears.  Andrew
felt rage bubble, firstly at the disloyalty from the mutt and secondly at the
warmth Robyn gave to the hound, when all she gave him was anger.
    “I
would suggest that you start walking and ignore the damn dog.” Andrew
spat.  He would not be swayed.
    He
saw it in her eyes, before she made the move, defiance.  She bent to pick
up her pack, but he was quicker, grabbing it and swinging it over his shoulder
and out of her reach.  A grin of satisfaction pulled at his lips.
    “Are
you this rude to everybody?”  Her body was stiff with frustration. 
She was indeed a stubborn headed mule, but on this occasion, Robyn Darrow had
met more than her match.
    “You
will find , should you wish to enquire, that my manners
are impeccable and have never been questioned.”
    “I
find that difficult to believe.”  The wind whipped in the cove again and
had her slam her mouth shut before her teeth could chatter.  It took
immense control not to laugh.
    “If
I appear rude, it is because you make me so, Miss Darrow.  Now stop
arguing and get moving.”
    “Of
all the . .
.”                                         
    “Even
I would perceive it rude to leave you to freeze to death whilst foolishly attempting
to walk home in wet clothing.  As I wouldn’t want my manners to be further
put under scrutiny, I insist you take my offer and accompany me.”  Knowing
that she stared with piercing rage because he had cut her off, Andrew turned,
Robyn’s backpack swinging over his shoulder, and walked away with Max at his
side.
    He
didn’t take three strides before he heard her fall into step.
     
    Andrew walked,
with the dog, down to the shingle and started toward the headland on the far
side of the cove.  Robyn trotted to keep up with his long stride.  As
shingle turned to rock, she noticed that the cliff face to her right drew up
higher and higher the further around the headland they walked, it revealed a
cave.  Ragged