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"Stop it" My voice is hard, surprising both of us "I didn’t say no, Nate I said let’s talk about it some more I want to be with you Let’s enjoy this beautiful ho else to worry about, for the next thirty-six or so hours"

His face relaxes into a s me under his chin "Don’t worry, baby, I’ll talk you into it"

I just laugh and squeeze hio for a run on the beach"

"A run?" Nate asks as I pull out of his arms and walk into the bedroom to open my suitcase

"Yeah I haven’t worked out y before he follows me into the office "I need a run"

"Okay" We pull on so shoes and hoodies and head downstairs to the back porch

"Wow" The wrap around porch that does indeed circle the entire house, is extended out farther in the back, over a steep decline in the terrain that leads down to the sand below There is an outdoor kitchen, and plush furniture on the covered space The railing is s,stairway that leads down to the beach

Half way down the decline, the stairs stop at a large gazebo with reat spot to sit in the evening with a glass of wine, roast some marshmallows and watch the sunset

Nate leads me all the way down to the sand "Well, the cli to be one hell of a workout," I remark dryly

He chuckles down at azebo is there? I don’t need anyone having a heart attack on my property"

We walk down to the shoreline where the sand is packed and wet and silently start to run, setting a steady, even pace, running in silence, listening to the water, the birds, and our feet as they rhythmically hit the sand

We run around drift wood, over seashells, and even spot the carcass of a sea lion,the tide

"If you want to run ahead ofthe quiet "I know your legs are longer than rabs ht "Watch out"

He’s steered

"Thanks"

After about twenty minutes, we decide to turn around and head back We’ve run a long way down the beach, which means we have to run all the way back

I slon to a hen I spot the dead sea lion

"Julianne?" Nate is out of breath

"I’ and alk toward the house

"I love it here" Nate’s eyes are fixed on the waves as they tu else matters"

I love the beach too, and I know exactly what heat the beach et to worry," I frown as I stare out at the water, trying to articulate uess it’s my happy place"

"You’re aze at his softly spoken words He just s the shoreline

"Come on, let’s feed you lunch"