Knowing the date was over before it began, Brogan inwardly cursed. A light touch on his arm jolted him out of his misery and he opened his eyes, seeing Ginny’s beautiful face turned up toward his.

“Can we get out of here?” she asked.

“Sure. I guess the date is kind of a failure,” he tried to joke. “I can take you home.”

“Home? You’re taking me home?”

“Uh…I thought that was what you meant?” he said, his brow lowered in confusion.

“No,” she laughed. “But I’d like to be somewhere less noisy…somewhere we can have a conversation…and less stuffy.”

Relief flooded through him as he heaved a sigh. Tucking her hand underneath his arm, he escorted her back to his truck, trying to come up with a backup plan. The Seafood Shack was good, but it would also be crowded and they would run into a lot of people they knew. Finn’s was out of the question. Other places would be perfect but take a while to get to. As he jumped into the driver’s side again, he observed her on her phone, her fingers flying over the keypad.

She smiled as she looked up and directed, “Swing by Bill’s Takeout. I’ve placed an order.”

“Okay,” he said, both glad she took charge of dinner and confused by her request. A few minutes later, he pulled into a parking place outside the small shop just off Main Street. Seeing her hand on the door, he said, “Oh, hell no, Ginny. You may have ordered it, but I’m paying. Call me old fashioned, but that’s how it’s gonna be.”

Nodding, she said, “Okay. Just tell him to add extra napkins and I’ll return the cooler tomorrow.”

With those instruction, Brogan climbed out and walked inside the takeout place. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a large chest. Placing it in the back of his truck, he climbed inside before turning to her and asking, “So, where to?”

“How about the beach,” she replied. “In fact, park near the pier.” She watched as his head tilted toward her and she shrugged. “I’ve never had a picnic on the pier but I’ve always wanted to. I figure I might as well do it with someone I really like.”

With that explanation exploding in his chest, Brogan smiled and backed out of the parking space.

Ten minutes later, they walked to the end of the town pier and set the chest down. Opening it, Ginny pulled out a small tablecloth, that she spread on the wooden planks, and sat on one corner, tucking her legs to the side. She reached inside again and pulled out paper plates, plastic cutlery, an abundance of napkins, and several plastic containers. Grinning up at Brogan, still standing with his hands on his hips, she said, “You just gonna stand there or are you gonna join me?”

Chuckling, he settled his large frame on the opposite corner of the cloth and watched in awe as she popped the top off one of the containers. The smell of Old Bay seasoning mixed with butter hit his nostrils as he peered inside, seeing steamed shrimp. Another container opened revealing two large crabcakes and a bag of seasoned fries complemented the meal. His eyes opened wide as she pulled out a bag of buttered corn of the cob. Near the bottom was a plastic container and as she popped the top off, he viewed chocolate cannoli. And the last thing she pulled out were two large iced teas.

Looking at the bounty, he realized this was the first time a woman had gone to so much trouble for him. And he could not remember the last time he had a picnic on the pier…not since I was a kid. Lifting his eyes to her, he shook his head.

“Is this okay?” she asked, doubt seeping in.

Unable to stop himself, he leaned over and placed his hand on the back of her head pulling her gently forward until his lips settled on hers. His kiss was light…soft…and oh, so sweet.

Letting go reluctantly, he blushed. “Sorry. I—”

Laughing, Ginny said, “Don’t you dare apologize, Brogan MacFarlane! I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”

Her confession surprised him, lightening his heart. A rare grin split his face. “Then I’m glad I took the chance.”

“Oh, yeah,” she agreed, her face softening with a gentle smile. “So, you ready to eat?”

Chuckling, Brogan nodded and the two piled their plates full. Looking at the iced teas, he asked, “You didn’t want beer with your seafood?”

Holding his gaze, she shook her head. “I notice you don’t drink. I figure you have your reasons and tonight is about getting to know each other.”

Stunned and touched…Brogan simply stared, unable to believe Ginny Spencer wanted to know more about him.

* * *

Timeless. The ever-present surf undulated beneath the wooden planks of the pier, creating a soothing background noise as Brogan and Ginny finished their dinner. Digging into the basket, she pulled out the wet-wipes Bill’s Takeout had provided and handed several to Brogan. He accepted them gratefully, his fingers messy from the peel-and-eat shrimp. He stood, picking up the refuse and walked the few feet to a trash can.

Ginny leaned back against the pier railing, her eyes planted on his ass. His body was a piece of work and she had admired it from afar for a while, but seeing him up close and being able to gawk without anyone noticing had her sighing in appreciation. His arms were large, but she knew it was from hefting heavy cartons and crates at the pub. His legs were firm, but from running on the beach. She could not imagine him in a gym, preening as he ran on a treadmill. No, he had the easy grace of a man comfortable with his body and not giving a damn what anyone else thought.

As Brogan turned, he caught Ginny’s eyes lifting to his and he grinned, realizing she had been checking him out. Chuckling as he walked back, he planted his fists on his hips and said, “Like anything?”

Red-faced at being caught, she shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re alright, I guess,” she joked.

“If I was interested in a huge, muscular, well-built man with gorgeous blue eyes and interesting tattoos.”

Plopping down beside her, his back against the same railing, he propped his forearms on his bent knees. “Guess it’s a good thing you find my tattoos interesting.”

Grinning, she said, “I do. But, then, I find all of you interesting.”

At that, his smile dropped as he turned to stare into her face, finding nothing but sincerity. Shaking his head, he said, “Can’t imagine why. I’m just me.”

Twisting so she could hold his gaze, she placed her hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles underneath her fingertips. “Brogan…you’re unique. And I like that. I like you…just the way you are.”

Cocking his head to the side, he watched as she pursed her lips for a moment before she continued.

“I like that there’s no bullshit with you. What you see is what you get. Quiet strength. Character. A good soul.”

“You see all that?” he asked, lifting one eyebrow.

Nodding slowly, she said, “Yeah.”

They sat, side by side, shoulders touching, as the sun sunk lower in the sky over the water. Where his shoulder contacted hers burned warm, the tingling moving all the way down his arm. “Don’t know anyone’s ever seen me…not like that,” he said softly, his voice carried away in the breeze.

“It’s hard when you have to be tough,” she said. “You’re the eldest in your family…the one others rely on. I’m a cop, with a certain persona I need to portray.”

Nodding, Brogan agreed. “You’re right. That makes it hard sometimes. Hard to let someone in. Hard to just let your guard down.”

“Hard to trust,” added Ginny.

He cut his eyes over while keeping his face forward, seeing her blink as though tearful. As the sun continued to create a colorful panorama in front of them he said softly, “You can trust me, Ginny.”

She swallowed deeply as she nodded, but no other words came.

Nervous, terrified of making the wrong move, he lifted his arm and settled it across her shoulders, allowing her to lean her head against his chest. The scent of her floral shampoo wafted by and he inhaled just to hold on to her fragrance.

As the sun finally settled into the horizon, a slight chill swept by and Ginny shivered. Brogan curved his arm, pulling her in closer while rubbing his hand up and down her arm. He knew the chivalrous action was to suggest they leave, but his heart screamed for them to stay. Stay connected, touching, holding.

“Ginny, I wanted to ask you something,” he said, finally, gathering his courage. “I was wondering if you’d give me a suggestion for a counselor to talk to at the Mental Health group.” He noticed as her breathing changed and plunged ahead before he lost his courage. “I’d like to…uh…I guess talk to someone.”

Ginny nodded, not trusting her voice.

He continued, “I figure it’s time I got some help with…well, some of the shit I came back with.”

Swallowing deeply, she leaned forward so she could twist around to face him, her eyes full of understanding. “I’d be happy to,” she smiled.

Brogan watched her shiver once more. “I hate like hell to leave, but you’re chilly.” Standing, he gently pulled her up, not letting go of her hand until she was inside his truck.

At her front door, she turned, her eyes imploring. “Do you want to come in?”

Lifting his face, searching the heavens for the right answer, he dropped his chin and pierced her with his intense blue eyes. “The answer is yes. I want to come in. But I’m not going to.” Seeing her about to protest, he added, “I want to see you again…soon.”

Tilting her head, she said, “How soon?”

“Is tomorrow too soon?”

Laughing, she said, “No. Tomorrow is perfect.” Digging in her purse, she pulled out a card for the Eastern Shore Mental Health Clinic. “Here. I hope they help. I…well, I’m seeing them too. I see a woman named June, but if you prefer a man, I know one there named Charles who is supposed to be really good as well.” Holding his gaze as she smiled up into his face, she added, “Maybe there’s hope for both of us.”

Leaning down, he kissed her lightly. Just a taste…just enough to remind him this was real and not a dream.