Read Concealed Attractions (Cedar Island Tales) for Free Online

e opened the back door of the house. “If you want, I can drop you off at your place when I take Happy back to the c linic.”
    “Yes, to a glass of water and maybe a co ok ie .” S he pointed to her bike. “ I’ve got my own wheels. ” But she wished she’d agreed to let Ben drive her home. He was so easy to be around, friendly, caring. Like a big brother might be. But she decided not to tell him that .
     
    Later that week, her mother said, “ Danni , the phone is for you. Make it short. You know how your father is about phone calls during dinner.”
    She nodded. “Oh, hi, Ben.” Her heart skipped a beat and con tinued to thud against her ribs .
    “Hi, yourself. I was wondering if you would show me around the island. Joel says you’ve lived here all your life.”
    “ Okay . What do you want to see ?” Before he could reply, she said, “I know—the Point! ”
    “What’ s that?”
    “It’s a high promontory—a wor d I learned in one of my science class es .” S he grinned. “Near the north end of the island. You can see almost to the southern tip from there. Would you like to go ?”
    “Sounds like fun.”
    “You’ll have to wear hiking boots. It’s a climb.”
    “If the weather’s good tomorrow afternoon , could we do that, or will it take all day? I have to look in on the boarders in the morning .”
    Dannilynn turned toward the dinner table.  “Mom, Dad, is it okay if I take Ben to the Point tomorrow after church ? ”
    “Is this a date?” Her father frowned .
    “No, it’s just Ben. Y ou know, the guy Joel’s training at the clinic. He’s never been there, and—”
    “Be home by dinner .”
    She brought the phone closer to her face . “Ben, okay, if I’m back by dinner.”
    “Super! Do we need a car to get there, or should I plan to ride on the back of your bike?”
    She giggl ed. “Your fee t would drag and slow me down. We ’ll need a car.”
    “ Okay . I’ll come pick you up. Is twelve thirty too early?”
    “No, that should be just right. See you then.”
    “Who is this Ben character? Have I met him ?” Her father folded the paper and p laced it next to his chair.
    “He works at the clinic . Joel ’ s teach ing him what a vet does. He’s an extern— just finished his third year of vet school.”
    “Hm m . ” Her father glanced up at her for a long beat before concentrating on his plate. “ Pass the potatoes.”
     
    The next day, Ben picked her up in one of Joel’s old cars. She wore hiking shorts and a light blouse . In her backpack, she carried a sweater, some sandwiches, and two bottles of water.
    Ben shook her dad’s hand when they were introduced . “ I’m Ben Edwards , Mr. Kelly . I really appreciate Dannilynn show ing me around. I’m new to Cedar I sland and it look s like an interesting place to live .”
    “Just make sure she’s back here by dinner time.” The man peered steadily at Ben, seeming to assess him, before heading back to the chair on the porch.
    “I’ll do that, sir.” H e opened the door for Danni . “Ready?”
    She nodded. “L et’s hope this old heap makes it out of the driveway. Wh y ’d you get this one?”
    The ugly green Chevy sedan with numerous dents and a missing left rear fender stalled, then caught, and with a cloud of blue smoke , they headed up the road.
    Danni chuckled. “Did you see that smoke?”
    “ I call it the Green Monster. It’s burning oil. Not to worry. Joel said it needed a good run up the r oad to clean out the engine. He’s hauling some tools and things to the boat this week end and needed the backseat of t he Thing . We ought to make it. I filled it with gas and stuck a quart of oil in the trunk just in case .”
    When they reached the parking lot nearest the trail to the Point, Ben grabbed his jean jacket and slung it over one shoulder.
    Danni led the way up the trail, which began in a grove of small trees and Oregon grape, and disappeared through the trees . The pat h became rockier and steeper