“So, how do you do that?”

“Do what?” She picked up a French fry, popped it in her mouth.

“You know,” he pointed a finger at her, made a tapping gesture and added, “that shocking thing?”

“Oh, that.”

“Yeah, that.”

“I picked it up when I was a child.” She sipped her soda and wiggled her nose. “How did you learn to be so untrusting?”

“I picked it up when I became a cop.”

“I tell you what.” She wiped her face and put the napkin back in her lap. “No more lies. If you ask something I can’t answer, I’ll tell you so.”

“You mean won’t tell me.”

“Okay, won’t tell you. I have my reasons, Todd, and they are bigger than you, me and everyone around us. ‘Tis the honest to God’s truth.” Her eyes never left his.

“All right. But you have to promise something.”

“What?”

“That you will tell me the truth, all of it, at some point.”

“You won’t believe me. But if that is what you need to hear, then I’ll make that promise. Before I return home, I’ll tell you my story.”

“So you plan on returning to Scotland?”

“Yes. When I can do so safely.”

“It’s not safe now?”

“If it was, do you think I would be here?”

Good point. “Have you ever been to California before?”

“Nay, ‘tis my first time.”

“How did you end up in Magicland?” He saw her struggle with an answer.

“That I can not tell you.”

And he probably didn’t want to know. Breaking and entering was a crime, one he couldn’t ignore. Or at least shouldn’t.

He gathered their trash and stood to leave.

“Well, since you haven’t been to California before, I suppose you might like to see some of the sights.”

Chapter Five

Todd started with the beach, always a popular destination spot for tourists. Myra was no exception.

Deserted, except for the occasional die-hard surfer whose wet suit kept them warm in the cold waters, they had the beach to themselves.

Myra pointed and asked what the men did in the water on their boards.

“Don’t they have TV’s where you come from?”

“There are no TV’s in my home.”

“What about neighbors?”

“We live far in the country.”

He accepted her answers, explained the art of surfing, and enjoyed the play of expressions cross her beautiful face. She kicked off her shoes and let the cold winter ocean foam around her pale skin.

Todd knelt in the sand and dug his hands in. A sand crab emerged in his palm. She squirmed when he placed the small creature in hers. It moved quickly, causing her to squeal and drop it. The creature burrowed into the sand at an unimaginable speed.

“Where did it go?”

“Hiding from the big giants I think.”

Todd took her hand and helped her stand, then kept it in his. A slight blush rose to her cheeks. He wondered if she was as innocent as she seemed.

When he’d kissed her earlier, she felt virgin shy under his lips, which made him draw back when all he really wanted to do was plunge forward, consequences be damned.

Where was her family? Why had they deserted her? He would have his answers, one way or another.

They walked along one of the many boardwalks and peeked into some of the shops. At the third one, Todd realized Myra pined for some of the clothes hanging from the racks.

“You should get that.” He held up a blouse she noticed. “It would look good on you.”

“Maybe after the candlesticks are sold.”

He had forgotten she didn’t have any money.

“You need clothes. And mine won’t fit you very well.”

He took several items off the rack and thrust them at her. “Here, go try them on.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, see if they fit.”

“I don’t have any means of purchasing them.”

She thrust the clothes back to his hands.

“I do.”

“No. I can’t.”

“You can pay me back.”

She looked at the copper colored skirt and matching blouse. “Are you sure?”

“Go.” He pushed her toward the dressing rooms.

She went in and out several times. He met each outfit with a nod of approval or a shake of the head.

The clerk happily made choices and brought them over for her to try.

Todd sat back as she paraded the clothes for him. Once in a while, she giggled and sometimes she blushed. More than once she stayed in the dressing room stating the dress ‘simply isn’t appropriate.’

Todd couldn’t remember enjoying watching a woman shop as he did her.

At the counter, the clerk helping Myra added a few under-things that she ‘really did need’. Todd handed over his credit card and smiled.

Wearing a calf length skirt, a blouse, and a pair of shoes to match, Myra posed, seeming more at ease. “This is lovely. How can I ever thank you?”

Her dimples showed again, making his heart beat a little too fast. “You just did.”

“Once Mr. Harrison calls back with a price, I can pay you back for all of this.”

He grasped her hand, pointed to a large fish tank in a store window, and changed the subject. He wanted her worry-free. He might not be able to keep her that way for long, but he would try.

At dinner in an outside café, they talked about the difference between the weather in Scotland and California.

Myra asked questions about everything she saw.

He attributed her curiosity to being from another country. Once in awhile, he thought her questions were a little strange, but he kept his observations to himself.

When they finally made it home, it was almost midnight.

“I had a wonderful time,” Myra said as they walked through the door.

Todd followed her to her room, and tossed the bags on the bed. “Good, I’m glad.” He turned to see her studying him.

Her gaze skirted to the floor. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She didn’t look up. “’Tis late.”

“Yes, time for bed.”

She blushed brighter than he had ever seen.

“Oh, ah...”

“Good night, Myra.” He lifted her chin, brushed his lips against hers in a brief caress, and then left the room.

“Good night,” she whispered when he was gone.