A Penny for Your Thoughts by Bess McBride Page A

building and strode out toward the beach. The short wavy hair was unmistakable.
    Kevin! What was he doing? Did he live nearby? She remembered the path between her condominium and the building next door, an unofficial though often used beach access lane. The image of Matt’s disappointed face preyed on her, and she swung around to make her way outside, wondering if she could catch Kevin, though she had no idea why.
    She trotted down the stairs and crossed around to the side of the building, using the same path Kevin must have taken. The lights of the buildings faded as she moved away, and she slowed her pace, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Against the white of the breakers, she saw Kevin’s silhouetted form as he stood at the shoreline.
    She approached quietly, unwilling to pathetically shriek his name, unwilling to see him tear off at a dead run from the lonely older woman who stalked him. Penny grinned at the image. She paused when she heard his voice. Apparently, he was on the phone, though she couldn’t see clearly.
    “No, I know I missed the appointment. Can’t you give me a break? My grandfather still needs me to get him back and forth to the hospital. I can’t come back yet.”
    Silence. Penny stilled and held her breath, wondering what to do. She shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she wasn’t ready to return to the cold uneaten food in her apartment.
    “Okay, thanks. I’ll be there.”
    Penny heard the sound of his phone snapping shut. She cleared her throat.
    Kevin swung around. “What the--” he barked.
    “Kevin, it’s me, Penny.” She put out a calming hand.
    “Penny, you scared the cr-- You scared me half to death. How long have you been standing there?” She tilted her head to look up at him. He had to be just over six feet. She hadn’t realized how tall he was.
    “I-I’m sorry, Kevin. Not long. I could tell you were on the phone, so I waited to say hello.”
    “Oh, yeah, the phone.” He pulled it out of his cargo shorts pocket and glanced at it. “I was just talking to a friend. I borrowed something and forgot to return it before I left and now he wants it back.”
    Penny nodded. “Ahhh. I see. I hate to borrow things. I’m always afraid I’m going to forget to return them.” She turned discretely to watch the white breakers on the dark sea. The lights of the buildings behind cast a small measure of light on the beach. It sounded as if Kevin’s grandfather was...or had been ill. Should she say something?
    “I couldn’t help overhearing a little bit, actually. About your grandfather?”
    “My grandfather?”
    Penny opened her mouth to quote his words, but he gave a short laugh. She couldn’t read his expression in the dark.
    “Oh, yeah, my grandfather. I’d forgotten what I was talking about on the phone already. Yeah, my grandfather...broke his ankle, and he needs me to drive him back and forth to doctor’s appointments. That’s actually why I came down here.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry, Kevin. I hope he’s all right. And your grandmother needed help?”
    “Yes, that’s right. She doesn’t drive, so...”
    “Wow, that’s tough. Plus, he probably needs help getting around anyway. Is he on crutches?”
    “Yes, he is. Nasty things. They look painful.”
    “I had crutches once when I was a teenager. Broke my ankle, too, playing volleyball.”
    “Well, then you know how it is.”
    “I do. Tell him to keep his foot elevated as much as possible.”
    “Yeah, I do. So, what are you doing out on the beach tonight, Penny? Stargazing?”
    Penny shuffled some sand at her feet. Why had she chased the poor boy down anyway?
    “Oh, I just decided to take a walk after dinner.” She thanked the darkness for hiding her blush.
    “It is nice out tonight, isn’t it?” he murmured as he looked up at the stars.
    Penny followed his gaze calmly though her mind worked in overtime. What the heck was she doing out here with this young man? What had possessed her?
    “Yes,” she nodded.