Page 60 of Hooked on a Feeling

Starr tucked her papers in the folder Alfred had given her, and John squeezed her shoulders. “Dallas will be at the marina at any minute,” John said. “You ready to go?”

She rested her head on his chest and smiled. “Yes.”

His stomach had butterflies on constant flight every time he was around her. He’d come to the conclusion that he was going to have to get used to it. He wasn’t letting her go.

When they got back to the marina, Dallas’s truck was already in the parking lot, and Starr let out a shaky breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”

“You’re going to be fine. Even though you think the monthly rate is crazy, he’s getting a bargain, and he knows it. It’s nice that you worked out that people can utilize the boat ramp if they need to and pay him the fee. The public ones are always freaking packed, and no one likes the long wait when they get here, so Dallas is really onto something. Pay to play.”

“It’s going to work well. After all this, I just can’t believe it’s finally happening. I’m going to be the owner of this place.”

“Your grandparents would probably be so proud to see it stay in the family. To see that it’s with someone who will take care of it and love it as much as they did.”

Starr grinned. “Yeah. I admit I wasn’t sure about this place at first. But it’s sure grown on me.”

“Oh yeah? You’re not going to miss the mountains?”

“Oh, geesh. I’m really going to miss those. But I’ve found my home here. And you. Where would I be if I hadn’t met you?”

John rubbed his thumb along her bottom lip. “Where would I be if I hadn’t met you?” He nodded toward Dallas’s truck. “You better get out there. Go and make a landlord out of yourself and deposit his money before the bank closes, so you can get all your ducks in a row.”

“You’re not going to come out with me?”

“Nah. I want to get My Way ready. I was hoping we could take it for another spin. Since you’re stuck with me, it seems smart to try to get you acclimated to this whole water thing.” John had prayed every damn night that her seasickness would go away. Being on the water calmed him and set him free much more than being on land ever did. He wanted yachting to be a part of their lives—not just his.

“I would love that. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get me over that.” She laughed, but he could hear the nervousness in her voice. He appreciated that she was willing to take the chance of going out on the water with him again.

She leaned over and kissed him. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck. You’ve got this.”

The bell from the drawbridge jingled as if to say that it agreed. Her gaze went to the harbor, where the drawbridge was being opened for a large line of boats. John watched for her reaction.

“What is this?” she asked.

“Not sure. Better get down to the marina to check it out.”

“Those boats aren’t coming here.”

John tried not to grin. “How do you know that?”

“Why would they?”

When the first boat turned toward the marina, she glanced at John and shook her head. John got out of the car. “Why wouldn’t they? You do rent boat slips.”

The first boat began pulling into a slot, putting out its fenders for protection. The second boat did the same thing. She started walking quickly toward the marina then paused and turned back to John. “Why would they be doing this? All of these boats. No. This makes zero sense.”

John cleared his throat. “Looks like they are here to rent. You probably better go get those slips leased. Wouldn’t want the marina going into the red.”

Her steps faltered as the fourth boat slid into a slip, its fenders already out as the other boats were being tied to the docks. “You did this? You got the word out about the slips. As insurance. In case Dallas decided not to lease the boat ramp.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” John smiled, giving nothing away. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t keep those people—or Dallas—waiting. Welcome to what it feels like running a business—never enough of you to go around.”

“We’re not done with this conversation. We’re going to talk about this later.”

“Oh yeah? Later in my bed or yours?” he teased.

Her eyes glinted with tears, and her smile melted his heart. “After this little stunt, I’d say anywhere you want.”

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