Read Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets 1) - Escape Down Under for Free Online Page B

kids active in the great outdoors.”
    “No wonder all you Australians seem to be such beach athletes… if you start at five!” Sara laughed.
    “We’re not all beach athletes, sadly,” said Craig. “Australia also has one of the highest obesity rates in the world.”
    “Probably not compared to the States,” said Sara wryly. “And at least you guys seem to value your leisure time and do something active with it. Ellie was telling me that her colleagues all think she’s crazy to stay late for work or want to do overtime on the weekends. They actually cheer you on to leave work early and go surfing or something!” Sara shook her head. “That would never happen in the States.”
    “Doesn’t happen much in vet hospitals either,” said Craig with a rueful smile.
    At the mention of his job, memories of yesterday came rushing back and Sara felt her old shyness returning. There was an awkward silence, then they both spoke at the same time.
    “How’s the—”
    “Do you think—”
    They both laughed.
    “You first,” said Craig with a smile.
    “I was wondering how the Beagle’s doing?”
    “Probably hungry, like all Beagles,” said Craig, chuckling. “He seemed fine when I checked on him last night. One of the vet nurses was staying in overnight to look after that puppy, so she would have let me know if there were any problems.”
    “And… the puppy?” Sara asked hesitantly.
    Craig’s face darkened. “The tick anti-serum seems to be working, but it’ll be touch and go for a while. We won’t know if he’ll pull through until tomorrow.”
    “I… I’m sorry about yesterday,” Sara said hesitantly. “I didn’t realise—”
    “That’s okay,” he said quickly. “I was actually planning to apologise as soon as I saw you, but our conversation got me sidetracked… and now you’ve beat me to it.” He gave her a grin which did funny things to her insides. “I’m sorry for being so short with you yesterday. It was understandable that you would be upset and you weren’t to know about the paralysis tick. In fact…” He ducked his head slightly, his blue eyes searching hers. “I was hoping that you might let me take you out to dinner. As a sort of apology.”
    Sara drew a sharp breath in. Her heart was pounding as she stared at him. Was he asking her on a date? Did that mean that he liked her? That the attraction she felt was mutual? Or was she reading too much into the whole thing? After, a total hunk like him… he must have his pick of girls. Why her? Anyway, what was she doing, going out on a date? She was leaving in two weeks and heading back to the States. And besides, she’d only just got out of a disastrous relationship. Oh, but dinner couldn’t hurt, could it? It was just a meal together. It didn’t have to mean anything…
    Something of her turmoil must have shown on her face because he took a slight step back and his tone changed. “If you’d rather not, that’s fine. No worries.”
    “No, no.” Sara found her voice. It was slightly breathless, but she hoped he didn’t notice. “I… I would love to have dinner with you. Thank you very much.”
    “Have you been to the Laughing Kookaburra yet?” He nodded at the café perched on the other side of the beach.
    She shook her head. “I only arrived in Summer Beach two days ago, actually. I’m staying with my cousin, Ellie.”
    “Well, it might not look like much from the outside, but that café does some of the best seafood in New South Wales. Shall we say seven o’clock?”
    Sara nodded.
    “I’ll come by and pick you up,” said Craig.
    Sara smiled, her eyes shining. “I’ll be ready.”

CHAPTER 7
     
     
     
    “You’re going out to dinner with Craig Murray?” Ellie stared at her incredulously.
    Sara gave her cousin a dry look. “Is he such a monster?”
    “No, it’s not that…” Ellie said. “Craig’s a really nice guy, actually. I would say he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met since moving