"How terrible for them, to have to hide like that," she said, feeling empathy as she was reminded of her own situation.
Kevin glanced at her and smiled. "It was a long, long time ago. No pirates out there now."
Tanya laughed, then gave a mock sigh of relief. "I'm so glad. You make me feel much safer."
"Besides, I'd protect you," he continued, with a grin.
"You would?" Tanya asked, going along with the fantasy.
"Oh, yes, indeed," Kevin said, laughing. "I'd yell at you as loud as I could to make you run fast. Very fast."
"Hmmm…some protection." Tanya made a face at him, showing mock disappointment.
"Ah, but your swift feet would save you. The pirates would be slow, out of shape from months on the boats. They couldn't keep up with you, and you'd be safe. Besides, that's the best I could do."
"And I'd be shot in the back." She turned from him and walked to the railing, staring out over the hills.
"Not by them, you wouldn't. They had no guns. This all happened before the year one thousand."
He turned to face her, still grinning. "I couldn't do any more than yell you to safety. I'm not in such great physical shape either."
"But you swim every day…" Tanya realized her slip as soon as the words were out of her mouth. How dare she tell him she watched him each morning, swimming nude in his pool, invading his privacy as she had? Her hand flew to her mouth, then dropped to her side. "I mean, I hear the splash as you swim each morning." She nearly stuttered.
He looked around the terrace, then smiled slightly. "But of course. And it is normally so quiet." He paused. "Shall we walk now?"
Kevin walked in front of her, clearing the way along the narrow, steep path. As the way became wider, they walked side by side. Tanya felt the awareness of him like an electric current surging through her body.
"Where are you from?" he asked.
"Uh…Vermeil. Close to Toronto," she managed, after clearing her throat.
"Small world," he said, the cliché suitable. "I'm from Toronto. When did you arrive?"
"About three weeks ago." His questions had begun to make her nervous. "I love it here. The countryside offers so much inspiration. I see all of the elements of nature around me-mountains, the sea, the trees and flowers-I never would have thought there would be so much in such a small area. The leaves on the trees, the flowers…and it's only April." Tanya realized she was babbling and flushed a bright red. She turned away from him, but not before she noticed his slight smile as he watched her discomfort.