Buried [Completed]

Chapter nine

Now that she was in the midst of it, Charlotte wondered why she'd felt guilty about having dinner with Dougal. He'd barely spoken to her since they'd met at Doris's Fish Shack on the wharf. And since their meals had been served, he hadn't looked up from his plate.

She flaked off a piece of her trout. The food was delicious and fresh, as usual. Too bad she couldn't enjoy it. She'd canceled her usual Friday plans with Wade for this. She'd called him earlier, and as she'd expected, he hadn't been upset.

"Having a busy day?" she'd asked.

"Oh, you know, the usual excitement. Just finished approving a new pump grinder for the jail sewer system."

"Who knew a sheriff's job was so glamorous?" He'd chuckled.

"How about you? Anything earth-shattering happen at the library?"

She'd had to take a deep breath. "Not quite earth-shattering, but interesting. I've been helping Dougal Lachlan with the research for his new book."

"Really?"

"He's planning to write it here, in Twisted Cedars, so he's looking for a place to rent. He's asked to see the Librarian Cottage. In fact, he wants me to show it to him tonight. Would you mind?"

"Not at all. Do you want to grab a bite, first?"

"Actually Dougal suggested stopping at the Fish Shack on our way out of town..."

Wade had been silent a moment, digesting all that.

"Hope he doesn't go running when he sees how dilapidated the old place is."

"I'll let you know how it goes," she'd promised, ringing off, and feeling marginally less guilty about spending her evening with another man. Now all she felt was a growing sense of resentment.

"We might as well have eaten separately if you were planning to be silent for the entire meal."
Dougal finally looked at her.

"Sorry. I'm not used to having company when I eat."

She didn't know if she could believe that. He lived in New York City, after all.

"You must go out to restaurants with your friends."

"You're presuming I have any."

"You don't?"

He sighed. "I'm a solitary sort. When I go out, it's usually to a bar. Noisy places bars. Not much conversation required."

"Required for what?" 

His eyebrows went up. He looked amused. "A little action." 

Of course. Though she could feel her cheeks warming, she forced herself to keep meeting his gaze.

"Don't you have to talk to these women in the morning?"

"Not if I can help it."

Her cheeks burned hotter. She wondered what it would be like to meet someone like Dougal in a bar, to go home with him and have sex with him. One thing she was pretty sure about— the sex would not be comfortable and sweet, the way it was with Wade.

"Isn't it awkward, having sex with someone you've only just met?"

She didn't know where she was finding the nerve to have this conversation. But at least she was no longer feeling bored and neglected.

"That's what the alcohol is for." Dougal touched her hand.

"You're pretty innocent for a woman your age, aren't you?"