Page 41 of In this Moment

ChapterTen

Evie knew that Dockside Days had been a complete fabrication of Declan’s imagination, but not surprisingly, Ian quickly saw the value in the idea and soon enough all the McCormick brothers were on board and working to make it happen.

It all came together extremely quickly, although as far as Evie was concerned, it couldn’t come fast enough. As excited as Jonah was about the idea of finally getting to ride on the jet skis, he was still full of stories of the time he spent with his father. Sharing her son may have been the hardest thing she’d ever done, but pretending to be excited about the fun times he shared with his dad was even harder.

It wasn’t a competition, and even if it was, Evie didn’t have any interest in trying to compete with a holiday dad. Tony had no idea what it was like to actually parent and have to do all the hard stuff. And if she had her way, he’d neverknow.

Not that she would have her way. In fact, every time she spoke to Russ about what was happening, she got a little more nervous about what the outcome wouldbe.

But she wasn’t going to think about it. Not today. Because the day had finally come. She was leaving the shop early, putting her part-time staff in charge so she could join Jonah and Declan down to the lake for the first annual DocksideDays.

Declan had offered to take Jonah down early and help out with the last-minute setup details while Evie was at the shop, leaving her to do at least a few hours ofwork.

Walking down Main Street, she was once again amazed at how quickly the entire town had gotten on board with the idea of Dockside Days and had turned it into an event. If there was one thing Cedar Springs enjoyed, it was a party. Any excuse for a festival or event that the whole town could get involved in, and Dockside Days was no different.

Scott’s Stop had a sandwich board out front, proudly proclaiming a “Dockside Deliwich” on special. Dream Puff’s was offering a Dockside Donut. She knew the Grizzly Paw had similar drink specials and lunch offerings. Not only were the local businesses supporting the McCormicks’ impromptu festival, but almost everyone in town had joined or created a team to compete in events like “Tricky Triathlon,” which involved paddling a kayak through a course, to run a three-legged race around the beach, and finally run through a series of paddleboard yoga moves before swimming to the finishline.

Declan also told her they were doing a jet ski race, a trick water-skiing demonstration, some fun team races that involved water balloons and water guns, and of course, when the sun went down, there would be music and dancing on the docks.

It really did sound as though it would be a lot of fun and, in the middle of it all, would be Jonah. Declan had included him in all of the preparation and not only did he love to be busy with something besides the store, Evie could see how much he enjoyed spending time with Declan. It warmed her heart and made her nervous all at the same time. How would he react when their fake engagement wasover?

She couldn’t think about it. Not yet. She’d cross that bridge when it wastime.

For now, they were both enjoying Declan’s company and that would have to be enough.

She could hear the Dockside Days before she could see it. When she came across the lawn toward the marina, the sight took her breathaway.

How they’d pulled it off in only a few days, Evie had no idea, but the lawn outside of the marina was full of picnic tables, inflatable castles, balloons, and all kinds of other things that hadn’t been there the day before.

Jonah must have seen her because he ran across the lawn to greet her, wearing a life jacket. “Mom, you’re just in time. Declan was going to take me on a jet ski so we could be judges.”

“Judges?”

Declan came up behind Jonah and gave her a kiss on the cheek, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. It sure felt like it was, and the way her stomach flipped at his touch was certainly natural.

“That’s right,” Declan said. “We’re going to be judges for the crazy triathlon. Do you want tocome?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I think I’ll be okay on land.” She turned to Dec. “Is it safe? For Jonah, Imean?”

“Mom!”

Declan laughed. “Of course it’s safe. And he’s been working so hard helping us get set up around here, I promised him he could be guest judge.” They walked as they talked, and Evie took in all the hard work they had done. It really did look as if they had been working hard. And she was all for Jonah having a reward.

“We get to make sure that they come around the buoy, Mom.”

“That sounds important.”

“It is,” Declan said. “We can’t have any cheaters for the first annual DocksideDays.”

She beamed up at him, full of happiness and a grateful type of warm feeling she couldn’t explain. He’d done it for her. He’d made this whole spectacle happen for her and her son. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “I can’t thank you enough.”

He pulled her close and murmured into her ear. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to thank me. I’m happy to do it.” He kissed her then, completely uncaring who saw them, and she melted under his attentions

“Eww.” Jonah groaned. “Can you do that somewhereelse?”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” another voice came from somewhere behind them. “But I’m goingto.”

Declan pulled away and Evie immediately missed his closeness. As if he sensed that, he twisted his arm around her and together they turned to face Gwen, Ian’s fiancée.

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