Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Melody

When we stepped out of the bookstore, it was chilly, but luckily there was no wind. “Where are we going?” I asked, feeling tentative.

Charles moved beside me, pointing down the street. “The first place is to my car.” He put his elbow out. “Miss, may I escort you?”

“I’m good.” Then I hesitated. “Where are we going, really?”

Charles looked amused. “You do realize I’m not some crazy person. You’ve known me for a long time. I’m not going to take you somewhere that I won’t bring you back from.”

His smugness was getting on my nerves. “You do realize that people should tell you where they are taking you before you get into their car. That’s stranger danger 101.”

The side of his lip quirked up. “Something you probably had to teach to your son. What age did you teach that?”

The question threw me off guard, but I remembered. “Kindergarten.”

He nodded. “That seems to be the right age.”

I wasn’t sure if he was trying to get me off my game. “So where are you taking me?”

His face sobered. “To Villa Lamont.”

I didn’t recognize that name as a local one, and then I snapped my fingers. “In Newcastle? That’s an hour and a half away. I’m not going an hour and a half to a restaurant.”

“An hour and a half by ordinary car,” he corrected, reminding me about the resources of the King family. “I covered the bookstore, and you promised me dinner. And if I’m correct, Melody Harris doesn’t break her promises.”