Page 10 of Swept Up In You

She popped the T-shirt under the counter and into her bag. Standing back up, her dad came around the counter with Peter in tow, so she slid across his consignment details to make sure he got his money.

“Of course. You said you were having trouble with the wiring?” Taylor asked.

“Yep, well, that’s one of themanythings.” Sam laughed. “The wiring is my priority at the moment, but a few other pieces came in today. I might get you to quote those too, if you have the time?”

“Easy done, happy to have a look and see what I can do. I’m pretty good with my hands,” Taylor said, holding them up for good measure.

“That’s what she said.” Sam chuckled as Taylor’s face blushed pink, her hands dropping quickly to her sides. “Sorry, can’t help myself.”

“Ah, you got me there.” Taylor smiled shyly, rubbing the back of her neck, her cheeks darkening further.

“So, I’m not sure if you’re still around for the rest of the day, but I was going to head down to the boat after work if you wanted to have a look today?”

“That suits me actually. I was just finishing up today’s job and packing up the van. When and where do you want to meet?”

“How about back here just after five? Bring your van around to the front carpark and we can walk down together if you like? It’s not far from here down to the marina.”

“Done.”

Taylor and Peter headed out one after the other. Her dad popped the sales receipt on their daily stack and turned around to face her.

“She seems nice. Been in the shop a bit lately.”

“Yeah, I think she’s taken a liking to the ol’ place,” Sam said, patting the counter. “Nice to find someone to take a look at Manny for me too.”

“We know plenty of people who can help you with that boat.” He gestured around the shop.

“I know that. She just seems… I dunno. Nice. Like she cares more than just getting the job done you know? But we’ll see what she says once she sees the nest of wires I’ve got hanging everywhere below deck,” she finished with a wince.

Her dad pretended to shiver. “I’m glad those days are behind me and I can just enjoy Carol.”

If Manny was Sam’s love of her life, her dad’s was Carol—a classic Passport yacht he’d named after her mum. It had been just the two of them since she was six, after they’d lost her mum to cancer. While those days were starting to get blurry, Sam and her dad would often talk about her, feeling her presence with them more often than not. Her mum loved the water as much as Sam and her dad did, so it seemed fitting to call the boat after her.

Her dad lived on the boat full-time, preferring the water over traditional house and land. It was in a different marina that allowed liveaboards (hers didn’t) and suited him perfectly. He loved the simple life and had spent three years doing her up until he’d got it, in his words, “perfect, just like your mum.” A couple of times a year they’d take it for a multi-day sail to their favouritesmall towns for a quick getaway, squeezing in a fish or two if they had the time and energy.

“Me too. Carol is a truly stunning boat. I’m jealous.” She wished more than anything Manny was finished already. Soon…

“You’ll get there Sammy. Look at the progress you’ve already made and imagine where you’ll be in another couple of months. Maybe running the business for your old mananda finished boat.”

“Keep dreaming,old man,” she teased, then tried to change the subject. “Oh, it’s almost five. I gotta go pack up and get ready to show Taylor the boat to quote up. Can you lock up tonight? Pretty please?”

Her dad waved her off. “Go, and have a good night. I got this covered. Hope it goes well.”

“Thanks Dad!” she said as she dashed off to the kitchen to pack up.

She knew she needed to talk to her dad soon, but when was the right time to crush someone’s dreams? He had his heart set on Garner Marine living on through her so he could retire—and take advantage of family rate boat parts, let’s be honest—but it was his dream, not hers. And it was time to let him know… somehow. But not today. She had a date with Taylor. Well. Not adatedate. Ha. She was getting delirious. Time to get out of here, grab her bag and hopefully get this boat in some sort of order.

Chapter Five

The van beeped twice as Taylor swirled the keys in her hand, sliding them into her pocket. She whistled on the short walk to the front of the shop, feeling good with the day she’d had. She reached up just as the door swung open and Sam stepped out. Even though she’d just seen her, her breath caught. Sam had let her hair down so it fell in light blonde waves around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that really made you take it in. It looked good.Reallygood.

Not that she was looking.

Damn it, Taylor, it’s Taylor Time!

“Timing!” Sam said with a wide grin, oblivious to Taylor’s inner struggles. “You ready?”

She mentally shook her head.

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