Read Human Blend for Free Online Page B

he softly said, “We should head on back. There's just enough
light left to make it back on the trail.”
    “What time is it?” Julie asked, not wanting
to move.
    “Little after six, most likely,” Austin said.
Julie was surprised. They had been there most of the day.
    Julie felt her stomach rumble and laughed.
“Yep, my stomach knows exactly what time it is,” she said and they
both laughed.
    “Speaking of food, “ he began, “I have an
idea for that, if you are not sick of me that is,”
    “I'm not sick of you,” she said softly. I
want to kiss you again. There was the voice again. “So, did you
plan out the whole day?” she asked, trying to distract herself.
Austin's smile was his only response.
    Standing, Julie shook out the blanket. “You
could have at least told me I was going to need a change of
clothes,” she said, feeling sand everywhere.
    “Well that part wasn't actually planned,“ he
said, laughing.
    “Tell me that this idea includes me being
able to shower first,” she inquired as they walked back to the
trail.
    “Yeah, most definitely. I'm still damp in
uncomfortable places,” he said, walking funny for effect.
    Austin walked Julie back to her hotel and
told her he would be back in an hour. She rushed up to her room,
anxious to get out of her clothes. The shower had never felt so
good to her before. It seemed to take forever to rinse off the
sand. She felt so much better. She dressed and checked the time.
“Ten minutes to spare, not bad.”
    Julie decided to wait out front for Austin.
She had chosen a lightweight camisole with a long sleeve button
down top over it, just in case it was cooler. She was glad she did,
as a northerly breeze had settled in. She didn't have to wait long.
“Feel better?” he asked, as he approached.
    “Much,” she said.
    “Ready for the evening?” he inquired.
    “As long as it doesn't involve sand, I'm
ready,” Julie remarked.
    Austin frowned. “Did you not have a good time
at the lake?” he asked.
    “I had a great time, Austin, one of the best
in a long time,” she spoke truthfully and watched his face
brighten. “I just didn't like feeling sand in places it shouldn't
have been,” she said as they both laughed.
    The two walked hand and hand for a few
blocks. The cool breeze seemed to add to the beauty and charm of
the town, if that was possible. There were a lot of people
strolling about. Austin was stopped at least half a dozen times by
people he knew. He introduced Julie each time. “Everyone knows
everyone, don't they?” she noted.
    “Yes, the best and worst of living in a small
town. Everyone helps each other, but everyone knows your business,”
he explained. Julie nodded.
    They reached their destination. A small
outdoor cafe, surrounded by torches to create atmosphere and
warmth. The hostess, Marie, who also knew Austin, was going to seat
them along the walkway. Austin asked her for a less trafficked
spot. “Thanks, Marie,” he said, as they were seated.
    “No problem, Cindy will be your waitress.
She'll be over shortly to take your order,” Marie explained, before
leaving them. Austin seemed to know Julie was curious about the
seating choice.
    “If we were to be along the walkway, everyone
passing by would stop to chat, usually just as you had a mouthful
of food,” he explained.
    “Good call,” Julie laughed.
    Julie took in the surroundings. The
peacefulness seemed to radiate through everything. “Is it always
like this?” she asked.
    “Like what?” Austin wasn't sure what Julie
was referring to. “This... wonderful,” she tried to explain. “It
just seems as if this place is right out of book. As if someone
imagined it and created this place brick by brick,” she
related.
    Austin looked around, trying to see the town
through Julie's eyes. He had lived here forever and never thought
much about it. “It's always just been home to me,” he said.
    Julie smiled at him. “That's exactly it,” she
said.“It's like home.”