Page 28 of Hooked on a Feeling

They talked business, and Starr was happy with what she was being told. “Great.” It was settled. “We better get the paperwork signed then. I’m going to paint the outside of the welcome center these next few days. If I need to postpone my trip back to Colorado, I can, but I’d rather not because I need to have a meeting with my landlord. Do you have any suggestions for me?”

Deanne stood. “Let’s take a walk around the property. I’ll make a few notes. I have a guy who does cheap work. He owes me one. If there is something that I think really needs to be fixed before we list, hopefully he can get it done.”

They walked around the property, and Starr showed Deanne the interiors of The Shipwreck, The Beach House, and The Seaside Store. Deanne scribbled on her clipboard and asked questions about who was renting the two slips that had boats docked and how much income that generated. Sadly, it wasn’t much, and the money had already been paid up front for a year’s lease, which meant her parents had probably spent it.

“Thanks for coming out,” Starr said when the tour was over. “It was nice to meet you.”

Deanne shoved her clipboard and purse into the front seat of her car. “My pleasure. Come into the coffee shop sometime. I’m just right over there.” Deanne pointed to the coffee shop where Starr had gone with John.

“Oh, I’ve been there already. Love the cucumber smoothie. I’ll definitely see you in there.”

“I’m not there all the time, but text me when you do come, and I can meet you for a drink sometime.”

“I will do that.” Starr glanced back to the marina. Shit, she had a lot of freaking work to do. Who had thought she could paint this place all by herself? Oh, right. She had. “I better get to work. You can bring the papers anytime.”

Deanne pulled Starr in for a brief hug. “Again, I’m sorry about the Lyle thing. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Once Deanne was gone, Starr unloaded her supplies from the truck and changed clothes. It was still early, and she was determined to spend the rest of Sunday painting.

* * *

The second John walked into his parents’ house, he smelled lasagna. His mouth watered instantly. His mom stood bent over the oven, with an oven mitt covering her right hand. Reed, Raven, and Ruby stood on the other side of the kitchen island, cackling about something that had happened to them Friday night.

“Can one of you girls get the salad from the fridge?” Mom asked.

“Smells great in here,” John said.

“Would you expect anything less?” Ruby sassed.

“No, I wouldn’t.” He kissed their mom on the cheek. “You made my favorite.”

“Favorite food for her favorite child.” Reed rolled her eyes.

“I don’t favor any of you over the other. I knew Johnny would enjoy this today.” She gave a pointed look at Reed. “Next week, I’ll make something you like.”

“Yuck.” John gagged. “Bacon-wrapped scallops. I’ll be busy that Sunday.”

Mom hit him with the oven mitt. “You will not. The guys are in the living room. I guess there’s something on the television about racing.”

John hadn’t heard Judge mention anything about a race. If there was a race somewhere, why wasn’t Judge there? “Where’s the race?”

“Not sure.” She pulled a stack of plates from the cupboard and handed them to John. “Set the table with these on your way, please.”

John put his hands up. “Can’t someone else do it?”

Mom pursed her lips. “Now.”

What was it with moms and the way they said the word now? It still had the effect of making him feel like an errant child even though he was thirty-two. He took the plates from her hands.

“Mom, where’s another bottle of wine? I brought a white because I was sure you had a red, but I can’t find anything,” Raven said.

“In the pantry. There’s a big box on the floor. I think there’s only one left.”

John took the plates and set them down quickly on the table. He could hear Judge and Jersey arguing about one of the boats failing to make the line. He glanced at the TV when he walked into the living room. Dad and Jake sat on the couch, idly paying attention. Jake was scrolling on his phone, and Jersey and Judge were sitting on the floor in front of the TV. “You guys are arguing about a rerun? This was, what? 2014?”

“That’s all we could find to watch.”

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