STRANGER IN AN ENDLESS JOURNEY

Chapter 18

They are Sophie's close companions. Stella turned around to find Oscer standing behind her when she heard a male voice coming from behind her. James received a nod from him. "The ferry was crowded this morning."

"Full load. As the summer season continues to pick up steam, we will be adding an additional crossing beginning the following week. The introduction appeared to make James more approachable. The fact that Larry nodded to Patricia brought a slight improvement in his mood. "So, you're staying in Castaway Cottage. The island with the most stunning scenery. Take care when you're near the water. As he walked away, Oscer shook his head in frustration.

"Don't let him scare you. Once, a child was pulled in, and ever since then, he has been very anxious. He has a lot going on during the summertime. So, you made it to the harbor and Main Street without any problems. This is the most resemblance to civilized life that we have right now. Can I point you in any particular direction?

Since they had last seen each other earlier that morning, he'd showered and changed his clothes. He was dressed in a pair of light-colored pants and a shirt of a dark blue color that had the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His powerful build was not at all concealed by the tailoring that was added to him.

It's likely that Luna would have remarked on how well put together he was.

If Sophie had been asked to describe him, she would have said that he was "smoking hot."

Stella found him unsettling. It wasn't because he was so sure of himself—she was used to being around confident men, so that wasn't the reason—and it wasn't even because of the unexpected scorch of s****l awareness, even though that was something she hadn't experienced before. Actually, the thing that scared her the most was the fact that those dark eyes seemed to see right through the aura that Leo claimed made her inaccessible and unapproachable.

It was to her advantage to maintain an air of inaccessibility. "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Nunez—"

“Oscer.”

"Oscer, but it looks like we'll be okay."

"I had no idea you had a daughter," you said.

She did not offer any rebuke to him. "She is very reticent. We were just—"

"I'm Patricia."

Stella sighed. At this moment, modesty would have been more advantageous.

She remained still while Oscer mumbled some excuse and retreated from the situation. She was confident that a man like him led a life devoid of the responsibility of children and only involved other adults. When she least expected it, he crouched down in front of her. Because of the movement, the fabric of his pants conformed to the shape of his thighs, and his shirt was pulled taut over his broad, muscular shoulders.

"Hi, Patricia. "I like the bear."

Everything about him indicated that he was a man's man, the kind of person who would have been able to survive even if they had been abandoned in the wilderness with nothing but a knife. She was unprepared for the casual manner in which he dealt with Patricia, and nothing had helped.

Simply observing him served to heighten her already existing sense of inadequacy.

He picked up the teddy bear and muttered something appreciative as he handled the broken stuffed animal with careful hands. "Can you tell me his name?"

Name?

She would never in a million years have thought to inquire as to whether or not the bear had a name; however, it did have one.

“Alex.” Oscer gave a tentative nod in response to Patricia's hesitant response, as though the name made perfect sense to him.

"So, tell me about your experience living on Kiribati Island with Andrew."

Stella was thankful that the bear couldn't talk because, if he could, she was sure he would report that he had been completely and utterly ignored up until this point.

She was about to be reported for neglect to the Stuffed Bear Protection League, if such an organization existed.

She couldn't help but feel envious of Oscer's natural rapport with the young girl as she watched him carefully return the bear to her. He did not speak in a manner that was patronizing or condescending, nor did he use baby talk. He carried himself in a manner that suggested Patricia had something to say that he would be interested in listening to. As if the answers she provided were relevant to what he was looking for. Patricia's shoulders gradually released some of the tension that had been building up in them.

"The boats are appealing to me."

Why did it have to be the boats that caught her attention? [Explain why they caught her attention.]

Stella pondered over the factors that led her to believe that visiting the island would be a good plan of action. She should have gone with Montana or one of the other states that is landlocked and has no coastline.

"I like boats, too." Oscer got to his feet and looked around. "Which dish do you enjoy eating the most?"