Page 7 of Unspoken Love

Maybe that meant something.

Maybe it meant everything.

Chapter Three

The whole world seemed to be bathed in a deep purple glow when Faye stepped outside the next morning. She stretched her arms over her head and enjoyed the salty morning air. The sun had yet to crest over the trees and the hillside, but the world was already stirring. There were a few joggers on the beach as well as someone digging for clams. The waves were crashing in their endless rhythm below, and seabirds constantly called out to their mates in the distance.

She wasn’t surprised that Nate was already waiting at the base of the stairs when she got there. He was dressed in running shorts and a fitted black T-shirt that made her slightly annoyed at how good he looked so early in the morning. Her hair was a rat’s nest that she’d managed to tame in a messy braid. She hadn’t unpacked anything yet so instead of her good jogging clothes she wore a pair of shorts and a tank top she’d managed to find. Thankfully, she’d found her running shoes and socks.

“You made it,” he called up with a grin as she descended.

“Barely,” she muttered. “But I promised, didn’t I?”

“Fair warning—I don’t go easy,” he said, starting into a light jog beside her while she stretched her calves and thigh muscles.

“I’d be offended if you did,” she answered with a slight chuckle.

“Ready?”

Faye nodded and followed as he took off, falling into stride beside him.

They jogged slowly in silence for the first few minutes, the only sounds the pounding of their feet against the sand-packed trail and the soft rush of waves beside them. Her legs protested at first. The air was crisp and when the sun finally rose, it felt good on her skin.

Nate made the entire morning easy.

He tossed out jokes and challenged her to sprints between driftwood markers. He even pointed out strange-shaped clouds. By the time they turned around to head back, she was actually smiling, even though her lungs were burning and her muscles shaking.

“You good?” he asked when they slowed as they grew closer to the house.

“Shockingly,” she panted, “I think I’m alive.”

He laughed, brushing a hand through his messy hair. “Not bad for a rookie.”

“I ran a lot in school,” she admitted, thinking back to the only time that she had felt complete back then. Running was, for at least a while, her first addiction.

“That makes sense.” He sighed. “You have good form and, for a while there, you were kicking my ass.”

They sat on a large piece of driftwood near the dunes to catch their breath. The sky was brighter now, golden light dancing over the waves. It was peaceful. Still.

Faye pulled her knees up and rested her chin there, glancing over at him.

““Thanks.” I needed this,” she said quietly.

“Me too.”

They sat in silence for a moment, and then he glanced at his watch with a sigh.

“I should head out—store opens in half an hour. But I’ll swing by on my first break to check on the horses.”

She smiled, feeling that now-familiar warmth settle in her chest. “Thanks, see you.”

“Later.” He stood, giving her a mock salute before jogging up the trail.

She made sure he was fully out of sight before attempting to climb the steps. She was very thankful there was a handrail. She had to stop halfway up because her legs wouldn’t stop shaking.

Back inside the house, the quiet wrapped around Faye like a blanket. After a long shower, she dressed in yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt before heading back downstairs.

She made herself a quick breakfast of yogurt and fresh berries that she had purchased on her trip down there and sat out on the back deck to watch the beachgoers for a while.