“KIDS—” NATHAN SNAGGED the bag Cheryl had left “—let’s go ride the sailboat.”
Issy caught his hand and headed out the door with him.
Josh dragged behind. “Does my mom know about this?”
“Of course she knows. She packed your bag.”
“But she’s not here.” There was a pout in the kid’s voice.
Was it going to be this kind of day? “She’s working. Let’s have fun. I don’t want you spoiling the holiday for my parents.”
“Mr. Dan’s dad and mom will be there?”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “They’re my parents, too.”
Josh muttered something under his breath. The only word Nathan caught was butthead.
“What did you say?”
“Nothin’.” Josh clattered down the carriage house steps while Nathan locked the door.
Through gritted teeth, he said, “Right.”
If he admitted his brother would be on the boat, Josh would be over the moon. It was petty, but Nathan refused to tell him.
Why was he falling for a woman whose son hated him? Who had that kind of luck?
Today’s goal would be to get along with Josh. Nathan wanted to replace Daniel as Josh’s favorite Forester.
He buckled Issy into her seat and double-checked that Josh was strapped in. Crouching, he stared him in the eye. “Let’s have fun today.”
Josh shrugged. “I don’t have my drawing stuff.”
“There’ll be plenty to do.” He’d thrown fishing gear into the back of the truck for the kids. “Give me a chance.”
Nathan shut the door. He didn’t want to see another shrug. He wished Cheryl was here. This morning he’d stepped in to give her a hello kiss, hoping she’d remembered how good they had been together, but Josh had barreled into the room. Cheryl had jumped back so fast it was like he had the plague.
He glanced at the kids. Issy’s blanket was tucked next to her face. Josh stared out the window.
How could he change Josh’s attitude? Buying him stuff hadn’t worked. He’d tried to help him with his drawing, but the kid said his art teacher was teaching him how to draw.
He flipped on the music station Issy liked. Josh rolled his eyes, but his foot kicked the back of Nathan’s seat in time with the song. Issy rocked back and forth. Wouldn’t it be something if she sang?
Nathan sang, “Hot dog. Hot diggity dog.”
Issy rocked faster.
“Sing with me.” He smiled at her in the mirror.
The words weren’t hard to remember, they were mostly hot dog. Josh was too cool to sing along. Issy mouthed the words. Maybe mouthing was a start. Her appointment with the psychologist was next week. It’d be great to go in there and tell the doctor she’d made progress.
Traffic heading to the marina was heavy, but they finally pulled in. He unlatched Issy. Josh climbed out of the seat. “Hang on,” Nathan said.
Josh tapped his foot in the dirt as Nathan grabbed the fishing poles. “Can you carry these?”
Josh frowned. “Those are baby poles.”
“They’re for kids. For you and Issy.”
Josh took the poles, still frowning. “What will we do with them?”
“See if we can catch dinner.” Nathan grabbed the bait. “Issy, can you carry this?”
She grimaced and carried the container of live shrimp in her outstretched arm.
“What are those?” Josh asked.
“Shrimp.” Nathan grabbed the bag. “Red fish love them. We’ll have fun.”
“We’re gonna be a Dr. Seuss book.” Josh laughed. “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.”
“You got it.” Nathan smiled.
They headed to Daniel’s slip. Nathan called, “Ahoy, the Savannah Queen.”
“Young slaves to help sail this ship,” Bess yelled. “Excellent.”
Issy snuck behind Nathan legs, wrapping her arms around his thigh.
Bess strode down the gangplank. “Let me carry her.”
Issy clung a little tighter.
“Could you carry the bag instead?” Nathan asked.
Bess smiled at Issy. “Sure.”
“Josh, hold my hand,” Nathan said.
“I can do it myself,” the boy complained.
“And your mom will have my head if you fall in the water.” He hoisted Issy onto his hip and held out his hand.
Josh glared but obeyed. Together they moved up the narrow walkway.
“There’s my crew,” Daniel called. “Are you ready to swab the decks?”
Josh shook Nathan’s hand away, tossed the fishing rods onto the deck and ran to Daniel. His brother swung the kid in the air, making him laugh.
“I didn’t know we were going with you and Miss Bess.” Josh gave Daniel a big bear hug. “This is awesome.”
“I’ll even let you steer.” Daniel set Josh down.
“Let’s go!” Josh bounced on his toes.
“You and Issy need to wear life jackets,” Nathan called.
He sat Issy on a bench and opened the storage area where he’d stowed the jackets last night. He handed the correct size to Josh then outfitted Issy.
“Do I have to?” Josh asked Daniel.
“Yes,” the brothers answered together.
“Carly has to wear hers.” Daniel pointed to the dog sitting next to the helm.
“I guess.” Josh stepped into the leg straps. Nathan started to zip him up.
Josh wiggled away. “Mr. Dan can do it.”
“Mr. Dan is getting the boat ready to leave the marina.” Nathan gritted his teeth and zipped Josh into the jacket.
Mom came up the stairs from the galley with Pop following behind her.
Nathan hugged his parents. As always, when Pop came back from his grueling week-long chemo treatments, his body seemed thinner and frailer than before.
“There’s my angel baby.” Mom gave Issy a hug and a kiss. Issy hugged her back. Then Mom grabbed Josh in a hug. “How’s handsome Josh?”
“Great!” Josh said. “Mr. Dan said I can steer the boat.”
Pop sank onto a bench, huffing and puffing.
“How’s it going?” Nathan asked.
“I’m on the right side of the grass.”
Nathan laughed but he hated that joke. It was a reminder that Pop could lose his cancer battle. He wanted the vibrant man his father had been, not this scarecrow wearing Pop’s face and clothes.
Bess reeled in the lines and Nathan went to help.
“Are we ready?” Daniel called.
“Yes! Yes,” Josh shouted.
Daniel started the engine and navigated out of the slip and into the busy river.
Nathan stood next to the two kids. “Grab the railing.” He held Issy and made sure Josh hung on.
“Sorry about last night.” Bess put a hand on Josh’s shoulder.
“We had fun.” He smiled. “Thanks.”
Bess glanced at Josh. “We had fun, too.”
“Where were you?” Josh asked, suspicion in his voice.
“I...” He wouldn’t lie to the kid. “I came to the boat and made sure everything was shipshape.”
“But Mr. Dan was with me last night.” Josh chewed on his lip. “This is his boat.”
“And I was here.” Nathan patted the railing.
The boat hit a speedboat wake and rocked. Issy squealed, clinging to his neck. “That fool shouldn’t be going this fast near the marina,” Nathan said under his breath.
“Let me hold Issy,” Mom said.
Nathan kept his stance spread as he walked to his parents. He tickled Issy as he set her on Mom’s lap. “Don’t let her dive in the water.”
Mom nuzzled Issy’s neck. “I won’t.”
Daniel waved him over. “I didn’t have a chance to ask how last night went.”
“Great.” Except for Issy’s nightmare. “Thanks for letting us use the boat.”
“Just remember what I said about hurting Cheryl,” Daniel warned.
“We went through this when I asked you to babysit.” Nathan rolled his eyes. What about Cheryl hurting him? “With the kids, it’s hard to get time together.”
“Yeah, yeah. The puppy was a date killer for a while.” Daniel rubbed his foot on the dog lying near his feet.
“Carly’s an angel.” Nathan rubbed her head.
“You’ve never cleaned up after she gets into the garbage.”
“Want to talk about messy things?” He nodded at Issy. “She’s still having trouble with potty training.”
Daniel held up a hand. “I’m not ready for that.”
Nathan laughed. “As soon as you’re married, Mom will expect grandchildren.”
“She’s got a good one now.”
“If only Issy would talk.”
“She will. You’re good with her.” Daniel didn’t look at him.
Compliments from his brother were rare. “Thanks.” His voice cracked a little.
“You stepped up for her and you’re getting the help she needs. When does she see the psychologist?”
“Next week.” He hadn’t stepped up for her in the beginning. He’d wanted to pawn her off on Mom or Cheryl.
“I’m looking for a best man.” Daniel tipped his head and looked at him. “You interested in the job?”
Best man? Now he really was choking up. He’d been shocked when Daniel had asked him to be a groomsman. “I’d...I’d be honored.”
“Good.” Daniel’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Was he choking up, too?
Nathan cleared his throat. “Next we’ll be hugging and doing each other’s hair.”
Daniel punched him in the arm. “No way.”
Nathan punched him back.
“Bess wants Issy to be a flower girl.” Daniel rubbed his arm.
They both looked at the kids and their parents. “That can be arranged.”
Nathan checked on the kids as Daniel steered the boat through traffic. His brother’s best man. Cool.
“Hey, crew,” Daniel said. “Can someone secure those fishing poles?”
Since Bess had her hand on Josh’s shoulder, Nathan stowed them.
After they cut through the surf and into the ocean, Daniel hollered, “Lower the mainsail!”
He and Bess moved to the lines.
“Captain Bligh needs an eye patch,” she whispered.
“Are you sure you want to spend your whole life with Mr. Control?”
Bess’s face softened. “Oh, yes.”
Together, they hoisted the sail. The sheet billowed and caught the wind. The boat leaned into the wind.
“Beautiful.” Nathan stood next to Josh, making sure he was hanging on. “What do you think?”
“I love this!” Josh’s eyes sparkled.
“Hey, Josh,” Daniel called from the helm. “Ready to steer?”
Josh skidded across the deck to the wheel. “Yeah.”
The kid’s grin was bigger than Nathan had ever seen. He pulled out his phone and shot pictures of Josh standing with his feet spread, hands on the wheel. Cheryl would love to see this.
He wasn’t sure he’d get cell coverage out here, but he sent Cheryl the picture anyway. Then he took some of Pop, Mom and Issy.
His daughter was growing so quickly. Her face had filled out and her cheeks had more color than when she’d arrived. He should buy a camera.
He dug through the bag and squirted sunscreen into his hand. “Short stuff, we need to get you covered up.”
“I’ll put Josh’s sunscreen on,” Bess volunteered. “All this helping with kids is kind of fun.”
“Thanks,” he said, squirting more in his hand and handing her the bottle. At least Josh liked Bess.
Around lunchtime, Daniel anchored near an island. Nathan helped the kids into the dingy and they headed off to play while the adults set up the meal.
“Lunchtime, Issy, Josh,” Nathan called out. When they didn’t come running, Nathan searched. “Where are you guys?”
Issy dragged herself out of the brush. Carly tumbled after her.
“You’re supposed to wait until I found you.” Josh came out of the other side of the brush. “That’s what hide and seek means.”
She shrugged.
“Let’s eat.” Nathan pointed to where the food was set up.
Josh scratched his tummy. “I’m not hungry.”
Josh toyed with his sandwich. Issy wasn’t much hungrier. Nathan handed the kids water bottles. “It’s hot. Make sure you drink plenty of water.”
After lunch, they played in the surf and searched for shells. They fished, sailed some more, ate dinner and then headed into the harbor for fireworks.
As they waited, Issy sat on the deck near his chair. Nathan finished his beer.
“When do we eat my fish?” Josh asked, rubbing his stomach.
“You barely ate dinner.” Nathan frowned. Josh usually had a great appetite. “I cleaned it and put it on ice. We’ll take it back to your mom and she’ll decide.”
“I caught the biggest fish,” Josh bragged.
“You sure did, slugger.”
“Thanks for helping me bring in my fish.” Josh scratched some more.
“You’re welcome.” Nathan grinned. The kid’s thank-you was...gratifying.
Issy scratched her back.
“Did you kids get bit?” Sand fleas could be vicious. He checked their ankles, but didn’t see any bites.
“It itches.” Josh reached down to scratch, but Nathan stopped him.
“Let’s see if there’s something in the bag.” He pulled out a pink bottle of calamine lotion. “Your mother packed everything.” He pretended to dig some more. “Yup, there it is...the kitchen sink.”
“It’s a mother thing. You might need to start carrying a bag.” Mom laughed. “I’ll grab paper towels for the calamine.”
Daniel handed Nathan another beer and sat in the lawn chair next to him.
“Thanks.” He sipped the ice-cold drink.
“Mom says you shouldn’t drink.” Josh crossed his arms, a miniature version of Cheryl.
“It’s a holiday.”
Daniel changed the subject. “I want to go back and talk about the idea of you carrying a man bag.”
Pop huffed. “Forester men don’t carry purses.”
“I carry a backpack.” Josh frowned. “Is that wrong?”
Pop patted Josh’s head. “Backpacks are approved.”
“I can be a Forester man?” Josh looked at Daniel with more longing than a kid at Christmas.
“We’ll name you an honorary member,” Nathan said so his father didn’t step into the trap Josh was setting for him.
The kid wanted Daniel as a dad. Good choice. Who would choose Nathan Forester? Poor Issy hadn’t had an option.
What would Josh do if Nathan asked his permission to date Cheryl? Spit in his face?
Mom handed him a paper towel and he and Bess dabbed pink liquid on the kids’ ankles. “Does it itch anywhere else?”
Issy pointed to her calves. He dotted more of the liquid there. She kept pointing and he kept dabbing.
He finally bounced a dot on her nose. “I think it doesn’t itch in all those places. I think you just want me to paint you pink.”
She giggled. He pulled her onto his lap, getting pink streaks on his arms and shorts.
The first set of fireworks exploded. Issy screamed.
“Honey.” Nathan clutched her to his chest.
She kept screaming.
“It’s fireworks.” He rocked her back and forth. “Only fireworks.”
She trembled, burying her face deep in his shoulder.
“Issy.” Josh patted her head. “Don’t worry.”
“It’s nothing bad. I won’t let bad things happen to you. This is just...” Nathan couldn’t think of the words.
Mom knelt next to his chair, stroking Issy’s back. “Oh, baby, fireworks are just colorful lights that make a big bang.”
Her sobs came out in shuddery gasps.
“I’m here. It’s all right.” Nathan repeated the words, rocking back and forth. His heart ached for his daughter.
“Talk to me, Issy,” he begged. “Tell me why you’re afraid.”
She shook her head, frantic.
“Oh, honey.” Nathan’s mother stroked her hair. “Your dad will make everything better.”
Issy’s sobs eased. Her back, stiff as a two-by-four, softened. Nathan wanted to rip her pain away. Was this what it was like to love someone? Love your child?
“Should we leave?” Daniel asked.
Issy clung to him but she’d stop crying. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
He turned her around and pointed to the sky. “Watch, honey.”
She snuggled into his arms, but her eyes were open.
“It’s only noisy lights.” He jiggled his knee.
A massive bang echoed across the water. Issy whimpered, but the fireworks exploded into a golden waterfall.
“Isn’t it pretty?” he asked.
She pointed at the sparks as they fell into the water and faded. He hugged her close. He had to get the bottom of her fear. Then maybe she would finally speak.
* * *
“LOOK AT JOSH steering the sailboat!” Cheryl held her phone out to Abby.
“He’s a natural.” Abby brushed a wisp of hair off her cheek with her shoulder. “How’s the reception going?”
“Dinner’s done.” She bit her lip. “The cake’s been cut.”
“I popped in as they cut the cake.” Abby poked her shoulder. “You may have found a new calling. They were raving.”
“Really?” Cheryl leaned against the counter.
“I tasted it. Fabulous.” Abby blew on her nails and polished them on her chef’s coat. “You must have had the best teacher.”
“I did. I do.”
“How are classes going?” Abby asked.
“Really well.”
“I can tell. Your skills improve every day.”
“Thanks.” Warmth filled her chest. “I want to work full-time in your restaurant.”
“You’re doing all the right things,” Abby said but didn’t commit to hiring her.
Cheryl’s phone dinged. “Nathan’s sent another picture.”
This time Josh’s ankles were covered in pink dots. “Oh, no.”
“Bug bites?”
Cheryl shrugged. “I hope he’s okay.”
“He’ll be fine.” Abby loaded the last of the dishes. “How was your date? We’ve been so busy, I didn’t get a chance to ask.”
“A dream.” She smiled. Nathan had said this was the best summer of his life. What did that mean? “The food and setting were perfect.”
“And was Nathan perfect?”
“Until Bess called.” Then everything had gotten weird. He’d looked so hurt when he and Issy had left last night. “Issy had a nightmare.”
“The poor kid.”
The phone call had been a reality check and had kept them from having sex. It had reminded her she couldn’t ignore her real life. In the moonlight, she’d forgotten how much Josh despised Nathan.
Abby wiggled her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t have paired the two of you, but you’re like puzzle pieces. You fit.”
“You might be right.” But Cheryl wasn’t sure they could ever fit together properly. Josh despised Nathan. “I think I’ll take more coffee to the ballroom and make sure they don’t need anything.”
“I’m done here. If you need anything, call.” Abby dried her hands. “I’m going to watch the fireworks from my balcony with Gray. Come over if you get a chance.”
Cheryl nodded and filled the coffee urn.
Josh was watching fireworks with the Foresters. Too bad she’d let Amy talk her into working. Sitting on a boat with Nathan and his family would have been wonderful.
Mama had never taken her to a fireworks display. The one good thing about Mama was that she wouldn’t drive drunk. And by the time it was dark enough for fireworks, Mama was at the stage of her evening where she’d stayed put.
Brad had been appalled she’d never watched fireworks. He’d taken her one summer and they’d made out on a grassy hill while fireworks glittered. When Josh had been two, they’d gone as a family. Her chest ached at the memory of how innocent she’d been to all the pain that was coming.
She pushed through the swinging kitchen door and headed to the ballroom. Next year she would make a Fourth of July family memory for Josh. She would develop a backbone and stand up for herself. She had seniority at the B and B and should be able to have holidays off if she wanted.
In the ballroom, everything was running like clockwork. She checked with the bartender and brought him more ice.
The glittering chandeliers reflected off the mirrors on the walls. She wanted to salute all the red, white and blue draping. The newlyweds had been in the navy, stationed near Norfolk.
The patio doors were open and guests milled around the terrace, staring into the sky at the same fireworks her son watched. If only the reception would end. She could go home and cuddle her boy. And maybe cuddle Nathan. She drew in a shaky breath at the memory of him kissing and touching her.
But what about Josh?
Back in the kitchen, she pulled out Nathan’s computer. She had a paper to finalize for her history class and wanted to get it in a couple of days early.
Why she needed a history class—actually two of them—when she was going for a Culinary Arts Associate’s degree, she’d never understand. She just wanted to work in Abby’s restaurant. But she wouldn’t let her grades drop. She hoped to get an academic scholarship to help pay for her remaining classes.
She began editing. If she had to write about ancient history, it would have a food twist. She’d picked the history of nutmeg. Who knew the Dutch had controlled the spice? A couple hundred years ago, the bag of nutmeg in her cupboard could have made her a wealthy woman.
She reread the paper, checked her references and sent it to her professor. Done.
Since no one needed her in the ballroom, she opened her email. She’d take a couple of minutes to clear out the junk.
There was an email from a J Smith. More junk? But the subject line said DO NOT DELETE. She took a chance and clicked on the message.
A mutual friend wanted me to send this to you. If you don’t deposit the requested money, this goes to the Fitzgeralds. You have the instructions.
What? She hesitated, then opened the attachment.
It was a video showing a blonde woman bouncing on a man seated in a chair. A naked blonde. It was—porn. She shivered. As Josh would say, gross.
She slid the cursor over to stop the disgusting video, hoping she hadn’t infected Nathan’s computer with a virus. Before she could, the camera panned around and zoomed in on the woman’s face.
Cheryl’s hand froze. Her face?
The woman’s eyes were closed, her hair wild around her head.
Cheryl’s hand shook, making the cursor jump.
“No.” Acid burned the back of her throat. The camera shifted and focused on the guy.
“How?”
It couldn’t be. She didn’t recognize the man, the room or the body. But it was her face on the woman.
She slammed the computer shut, swallowing back bile.
It wasn’t her. She’d never been that busty. Her hair hadn’t been that long for a couple of years. She rubbed her throbbing head. What should she do?
What if J Smith sent this to Abby? Would her boss believe the disgusting images weren’t her? How would it affect her job?
What if Nathan saw this? Or Josh? She wanted to curl into a ball. Oh, God. What would this do to her son?
Her breath came in raspy gasps. She couldn’t move. Her life was just coming together. Now this.
* * *
NATHAN LIFTED A sleeping Issy out of the car. It broke his heart that she’d been so scared.
Josh’s feet dragged as they headed up the stairs. The kids were up way past their bedtimes.
Laughter floated from the ballroom into the courtyard. The wedding guests at the B and B were still partying.
He’d hoped they’d be gone. Then he could spend the last of the holiday with Cheryl. Just holding her would be nice. He wanted to get back to the connection they’d had on the boat.
He’d missed her today. Hopefully next year she’d have the holiday off and they could celebrate together.
Next year?
His heart jolted. He’d never thought that far ahead with a woman. Never wanted to date beyond a month or two. It was just too hard hiding his flaws.
But Cheryl already knew. She knew and hadn’t booted him from her life.
He unlocked her apartment. Setting down the bag, he said to Josh, “Go brush your teeth and hop into your pajamas.”
Both kids should probably wash off the sand and salt, but it was more important for them to get to sleep.
“I’ll be right back.” He planned to let Issy sleep in Josh’s bottom bunk until Cheryl came home. He stripped her down, checking her ankles. No bites that he could see.
Grabbing her toothbrush, he carried the sleepy girl to Cheryl’s place.
Josh was putting his toothbrush in the holder.
He helped Issy onto the stool and applied toothpaste to her brush. “Here you go.”
“That’s my toothpaste.” Josh crossed his arms.
Nathan refused to engage. “And next time you brush your teeth in my place, you can use Issy’s.”
He wet a washcloth and wiped it over Josh’s face and then Issy’s. He said to Josh, “Why don’t you hit the sack and I’ll tuck you both in.”
Josh shuffled into his bedroom and Nathan guided Issy into the bottom bunk, pulling the blankets around her chin. “You’re snug as a lightning bug.”
Please don’t let her have nightmares from the fireworks.
“I want a book.” Josh pointed.
The kid could read better than he could, but Nathan picked up a well-loved book and opened the page to the marker. He stumbled through the story.
Josh closed his eyes. Issy drifted off.
He’d put himself to sleep, listening to his crappy reading.
Relieved they were both asleep, Nathan turned off the light. The night-light glowed from the corner.
He propped the door open in case Issy had a nightmare. He should have put a Pull-Up on her. Lately, they’d stopped using them. But she’d just had a screaming jag over fireworks.
He flipped the television on, searching for a movie. And found Independence Day. Appropriate.
Laughter erupted from the ballroom terrace. He stared over at the partiers. Sparklers wove patterns in the dark. They didn’t sound like they were going home anytime soon.
He checked on the kids. Then he got a beer from his fridge. It was a holiday. He could have a couple of beers—well this might be his third or fourth, but he’d spread them throughout the day. Before Issy, he would have gone through a case on a holiday.
The cold brew soothed as it slipped down his throat. He stepped out onto the small landing, leaving the door open. Over the hum of the movie, fireworks exploded. Bright gold and white showers flickered above the trees. Firecrackers popped somewhere. He leaned on the railing and stared at the ballroom. Go away. Let Cheryl come home. To me.
Everyone around him was hooking up—permanently. At least, all the Fitzgerald sisters. Abby and Gray were married. Dolley and Liam lived together. Daniel and Bess’s wedding was coming up fast. He smiled. As best man, he would be in charge of the bachelor party.
Bess would castrate him if he got strippers. The woman was strong and could probably do it. And his brother would hold him down.
He could ask Gray for ideas. He was a groomsman and pretty classy. Nathan leaned over and stared at Gray and Abby’s carriage house. Light gleamed from a window. He’d check with Gray about planning the party.
Back inside, he watched the movie. After a long day of sun, surf and chasing kids, the beer had him nodding off.
He jerked awake. Listened for the kids. All quiet. Will Smith dragged an alien across the sand on the television screen. Footsteps rattled on the stairs. A smile cracked his face. Cheryl.
His knees clicked as he stood. He opened the door. She jumped back, setting her hand on her chest. “Hi.”
He pulled her into a hug. “Hi back atcha.”
She was stiff for a few minutes, then melted. He loved the way her body fit with his.
“How was the wedding?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer. He angled her face and brushed a kiss on her upturned lips.
She sighed. How could one of her sighs make him feel ten feet tall?
He eased his tongue into her mouth, savoring her. Until she stiffened and nudged him back.
Hell. She’d remembered Josh.
He brushed one more kiss on her lips. “I missed you tonight.”
“I wish I could have been with you, but the wedding was fun. Very...patriotic.”
“I saw the guests swinging sparklers.” He led her to the sofa.
“Oh. I should check on—”
“Josh is fine,” he interrupted.
She settled into his shoulder. “Thanks for including him in your family party. I’m glad he didn’t have to hang around the B and B.”
“He had fun.” Maybe not with Nathan, but Josh loved being around Mr. Dan. “He caught a red fish. He’s expecting you to make a feast with it. It’s in your fridge.”
“Do I have to clean it?” She shuddered. “I know how. I just don’t like to.”
He nuzzled her neck. “What would you do for me if I cleaned it for you?”
She turned into his body and grazed her lips along his chin. “I might think of something.”
“Sexual favors?”
“Sexual favors?” Her voice sounded weird. Goose bumps covered her arms. “Um. Maybe.”
“You okay?”
“Just a long day.” She leaned her head against his chest. “But the bride and groom loved the wedding cake I made.”
There was something off about her enthusiasm. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” She pulled away from him. “What time did Josh go down?”
“Late. About ten.”
“Wow.”
“Issy’s asleep in the bottom bunk.” He pulled her ponytail out and combed his fingers through her hair. “Want to fool around?”
She groaned as he massaged her scalp. “Want to. Can’t.”
He knelt, slipped off her shoes and massaged the balls of her feet.
She arched her back. He tried not to watch the way her shirt pulled around her breasts. His body was hoping for more of her tonight.
Then she went wet-noodle limp. “Oh. Oh, my.”
He chuckled. “You like that?”
“Yes. No one’s ever massaged my feet.” She groaned. “If you do this every night, I might work on those sexual favors.”
She’d never had a foot massage? “But you were married,” he blurted out.
The tension sprang back into her muscles. “It wasn’t something Brad did.”
He wanted to kick his own ass. “Well, I don’t mind giving you one.”
He worked his fingers until they ached, not wanting to stop touching her.
“That was amazing.” Her foot slipped out of his hands. “But I need sleep.”
Here’s your hat. There’s the door. “Do you want me to take Issy home?”
“She’s fine.”
He caught her hand and pulled her to her feet and into a hug. If she’d been a wet noodle before, now she was a stiff board. What was going on? He tried to keep it easy. “I’ll lock up behind me.”
He bent to brush a kiss on her lips. Her head turned and his lips landed on her cheek.
“Night,” she muttered.
Was she done with him already?
After locking the door, he slumped against the hallway wall. What had he done wrong?