Megan smiled. “And here I told my friend there would be no guide at the ruins to give me another history lesson.”
“Aha, so you’ve been to the palace?”
“Today. I enjoyed it very much.”
He stepped from the glare of the late afternoon sun and Megan gasped. It was the same man she’d spied on with her binoculars.
“You are a tourist, then?” he asked.
“Guilty as charged.” Megan was swept in by the infectious twinkle of turquoise in his eyes, the smooth suntanned skin, the dark chestnut hair, and the full smile that lit up his entire face. The loneliness of last night’s sneak-peek had vanished, and he scanned her as a man in full control of his heart. She became aware of her vulnerability out here with a stranger yet his stance revealed a perfect gentleman.
“Do you come here for the peace and quiet?” she asked.
“Yes. You’ve discovered my secret hiding place,” he said. “Would you care to see my favorite part of the ruin?”
“Lead the way,” Megan said.
They walked back into the main area and moved to the right, where the tallest wall in the entire structure stood. He pushed the overgrown ivy aside and allowed her to pass through the opening first. All four thickly cemented walls stood here, the roof non-existent and open to whatever weather poured into this unprotected space. Trees, shrubs, and gorgeous wildflowers spattered the ground, creating a paradise of untouched beauty.
“It’s amazing,” Megan said. “One tiny piece of the world man has not contaminated.”
She twirled in child-like awe, but stopped abruptly when she noticed him staring. Megan felt the heat of embarrassment crawl up the back of her neck, the crimson red prompting an explosive grin to spread across his face.
“A woman after my own heart. The world is far too polished with precision, and might I say modern without sounding like an old man. I love the history of my homeland and the wild, rough-and-tumble of this secret playground. As a child I would slay giants in this place; fearless and ready to challenge the world.”
Megan watched the mask cloud the brightness in his eyes as he turned his focus from her scrutiny. A last blast of fading sun touched the far corner of the wall, whereas evening shadows cast an uncanny darkness over other sections where they stood. She likened the contrast to this man of conflicting emotions.
“Do I detect a change in attitude? Perhaps you find the giants too huge to conquer these days?” asked Megan.
“I suppose I am going through a difficult time,” he said. “Will you walk the garden with me and help to revive the courageous spirit of old into my heart?”
Megan smiled and moved in next to him. They strolled in peaceful silence. How could that be? She’d just met the man, and hoped she’d not caught Suzanne’s man-fever. She listened as he told of the childhood giants he’d overcome and how many damsels in distress he’d rescued from sure death. They stopped to rest on a cement bench. He pointed to places of interest where soldiers of long ago had planned strategic schemes to protect the kingdom and arenas where they’d practised archery and other relevant skills of defence. Suddenly Megan became aware of the passage of time and noted the sun had nearly set.
“I shouldn’t linger,” she said. “I have to walk back to the Hotel Belfry.” Why did she say that – tell a stranger where she was staying. She chuckled inwardly. If he’d been the dangerous type, he’d have made his move here in this isolated spot. She needed to unwind and relax. In her line of work, she dealt with moody and often confused undependable individuals, but healthy men existed, and she’d love to discover that this tall dark and handsome stranger was among the best Edstrom had to offer.
“Will you return tomorrow? I enjoyed our time together,” he asked.
Megan could not refuse the pleading she saw in his eyes. He was troubled, and perhaps she could help him find his inner hero. She sighed realizing that being a psychiatrist had its downfalls. “I don’t even know your name or if you a serial killer luring his next victim.”
He laughed loud, a joyous melody filling the air. “The kingdom is protected by ghostly soldiers. Rest assured, fair maiden, Edstrom is free from such debauchery, and I, the least suspect of all.” He stood and took Megan’s hand, laying a gentle kiss on the back. “My name is Ryan, and if you would join me here at six, I will bring us a picnic dinner and you can tell me all about yourself.”
“I’m not that interesting,” she said.
“I beg to differ, Miss?”
“Fairchild. Megan Fairchild,” she said, knowing she already counted the hours until tomorrow night. “I’ll bring dessert.”
“My favorite part of the meal.” He led her outside the ruin entrance and kissed her hand again. “Until tomorrow, then.” He pivoted and disappeared back inside the stone walls.
Megan and Suzanne entered and exited stores all the next day. Each shop held at least one treasure worth exhibiting somewhere at home. If she didn’t watch it, both her apartment and office would be a miniature replica of Edstrom Isle. She couldn’t help but feel that wouldn’t be such a bad thing – making memories suddenly became her priority while on this vacation; and maybe she’d start with her mysterious new friend, Ryan.
“You’re not even listening,” Suzanne complained as they bit into their lunch sandwiches.
“I’m sorry, you were talking about a man?”
Suzanne groaned. “Not just any man, Meg. The fella we saw staring down from the balcony at the castle. We met at the bar last night – can you believe it?
