“Is that rain?” Kira sounded absolutely baffled as she made her way across the room to peer out of the doorway. “But – it was forecast for cool and sunny today! That’s bizarre!”
“Yeah, I bet,” Caleb muttered. “Bizarre isn’t the word.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry, that’s really not hiking weather,” Kira said, turning to him. “I couldn’t let you go out in that. I’m sure things’ll clear up tomorrow, though, and you’ll still get some good hiking in.”
Actually, Caleb’s dragon could have handled this weather just fine, but Caleb knew he couldn’t risk shifting so close to humans. And what if Kira saw him, before he’d had a chance to explain?! She’d think he was a monster!
“Did you drive here?” Kira asked. “I didn’t see a car on my way in.”
“Uh, no, my car’s at the mechanic.” Caleb shrugged, thinking of the way his car had sputtered and given up the ghost yesterday on the mountainside. “I guess the winding roads were just too much for it.”
“Oh… well, I could lend you a raincoat if you need one to walk back to town,” she said. “We have spares. I’d drive you, but I need to stay here while I’m working.” She paused, chewing her lip again, the same thoughtful expression crossing her face. “But… well… tomorrow’s my day off. I could, um… well… I mean, if you wanted a guided tour of some of those trails… I mean, I wouldn’t want to impose on you if you came up here for some time alone, but I –”
“I would absolutely love that,” Caleb blurted before he could think, knowing he was interrupting her but unable to stop himself. “I mean – sorry. But yeah. I would really love a guided tour, provided it wasn’t any trouble. If that’s how you wanted to spend your day off.”
Kira blinked at him, a smile twitching at her lips, her gorgeous dimples creasing her cheeks.
“Okay then,” she said, as her smile grew wider. “It’s a date.”