Chapter 25

He was pulling the keys from his pocket when he saw her. She was sitting alone at an outside table. Her eyes closed, face turned up to the sun. For a moment, he thought about leaving her be. But something in her face made him pause.

Putting the keys into his pocket, he closed the distance between them. "Imagine seeing you here."

Her blue eyes opened, looking up to meet his. A small smile curved her lips, "More surprising to see you. I'm a regular at this café."

"Fair enough. Is this your normal Saturday spot?"

A momentary look of sadness crossed her face, "It used to be. The last few months not as much."

Tucking his hands into his pants, "The new job?"

"It does keep me busy."

Motioning toward the empty chair, "May I?"

Nodding, she pushed the chair out with her foot, "Sure, join me for something to eat?"

Pulling out the chair more, he sat. "I just finished lunch, but I could keep you company."

The server joined them at the table and Laura ordered then looked at Robbie with a raised eyebrow. She laughed when he ordered a dessert. "What I didn't have dessert with lunch? It would be rude to let you eat alone."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, "Do you run regularly?"

She smiled, "I try to three or four times a week."

"Do you enjoy it?"

Shrugging she thought about it, "Not particularly, but it's efficient exercise."

Leaning forward, he smiled. "If you don't like it, then why do it?"

"I don't hate it. It's a good workout and I don't have to think while I do it. I can turn off my brain and just let my body take over. There's something rather freeing about it."

Robbie froze for a moment. Her words were almost the same as what Katharine had said about running. "I've heard that before." Their food arrived and Laura immediately dug into it. Robbie watched her eat, smiling at her eagerness. "How far did you run today?"

Still focused on her meal, she answered. "To here, about four miles."

"That's a long way, no wonder you are so hungry."

Looking up at him, she couldn't help but laugh. "Would it make you feel better if I said I didn't eat dinner or breakfast?"

Joining in her laughter, he leaned back in his chair. "Not only would it make me feel better, I think you might need dessert as well." As her eyes lit up at the thought, he motioned for the server.

With dessert ordered, they settled in their seats. "I hear you made the cut."

He looked at her with a question in his eye, "What?"

"Innocent? You're one of the team now."

He nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "Yes, so it would seem."

"And her protégé chose you."

"How do you know all of this?"

She laughed, "I have my ways."

A companionable silence fell between them. "You know, I half way expected to return and find you gone."

"Why?"

"Your last letter. You said you were planning on leaving Oxford."

She smiled to herself, "I was but then I got some good advice and changed my plan."

"From anyone I know?"

Furrowing her brow, she shook her head. "I don't think so." They smiled at one another. "I should thank you. It was really good advice."

"I should thank you. Your letters were a lifeline."

"I thought you settled in, learned to like living there."

He nodded, thinking about how much he'd enjoyed the last six months. "I did. What about you, what was the plan?"

Laura looked away, the images from her dreams returning full force. "Just something different, nothing specific." Looking around frantically, she waved at the server. "I should go. I have a ton of work to get through."

Robbie stared at her, uncertain of what he'd said to upset her. "I could give you a ride home."

Handing some money to the server, she shook her head. "No, it's OK. I can run home."

He lightly touched her arm, "Laura, did I say something?"

She looked down at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. Smiling she shook her head, "No, sorry." She took a deep breath, "I'd love a ride home."