Page 36 of Wedding Season
In return, Alex would have grabbed his brother and put him in a headlock. He missed Jonathan and their weekly dinners in the city after a game of pickup basketball at the athletic club. He could even admit that his brother wasn’t wrong. Alex had plenty of issues to work out, and apparently, he was going to get through it with the help of the women in his life.
“You’re a good person, Heather, and not just because you are wicked smart. It’s okay to care about people because you have a big heart. Even the ones you don’t want to care about.”
She inclined her head, studying him in the way she had that was far more mature than her actual age. He had a feeling she knew he was giving that advice to himself as much as to her. Thankfully, she didn’t mention it.
“No matter what,” she said, her voice sure, “I’m not going to let you down, Alex. You can depend on me.”
He wasn’t sure he should have taken the comfort he did in her words, but he smiled. “I appreciate that, kid, and the feeling is mutual.” He turned for his office wondering exactly what he would have to do to keep that promise.
CHAPTER TEN
THEFOLLOWINGSATURDAYMORNING, Mariella headed for the marina south of town. It was barely six, and as she parked her car, the amount of activity already taking place in the gravel parking lot shocked her.
Emma stood at the edge of the grass talking to an older man with white hair and a bushy beard. He looked like a Southern version of Ernest Hemingway if Hemingway had favored T-shirts with slogans on them. Mariella pulled her bag from the back of her car and headed toward Emma. “You weren’t joking when you said they get going early around here.”
“Some fish don’t bite when it’s hot,” the old man said, “and today is going to be a steamy one. At least fifteen degrees above normal.”
“Here, fishy, fishy,” Mariella said in a singsong voice, pointing at his shirtfront, which had that quote scrawled across it in a bold font.
“They won’t be able to resist a pretty girl like you,” the redneck Hemingway said with a chuckle.
“Mariella, this is Mike Molsen. He runs the marina and tackle shop and is known far and wide as a fish whisperer. Mike, this is my friend and business partner, Mariella Jacob.”
Although the fact that Emma had introduced her as both a friend and partner pleased her, Mariella inwardly cringed that the old man had heard her full name. What if he recognized her from her past? She hated that her mind went to that possibility every time she met someone new.
Mike only grinned. “Cam knows his stuff, but if you ever want to head out on the water with a real expert...” He nodded toward the ramshackle bait shop with a line out the front door. “You know where to find me.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Mariella answered. “And a man who knows his way around a rod.”
Emma rolled her eyes, accustomed to Mariella’s bawdy sense of humor.
Mike burst out laughing as his face went beet red. He leaned toward Mariella. “You’re a pistol. Too much for an old geezer like me to handle. Good luck out there today. Let me know how you did when y’all get back.” He headed up the gentle slope toward the shop.
“You just about gave poor Mike a heart attack,” a deep voice said just behind Mariella’s shoulder. “He’s going to need all day to recover.”
She whirled to find Alex standing directly behind her, wearing a tan T-shirt, Ray-Bans and a Knicks cap pulled low on his head.
“Did I mention Alex is coming with us?” Emma said with fake cheer.
“No.” Mariella turned back to her friend. “You didn’t mention it.”
“Turns out I invited you, and Cam invited Alex and neither of us thought to mention it to the other.” She forced out a laugh. “Quite a coincidence, right?”
“Quite.” Mariella tried to stop the rapid beat of her pulse.
“I need to grab a cooler out of the back of Cam’s truck.” Emma continued with the forced excitement, not fooling Mariella for a moment. “I’ll meet you guys at the boat. It’s going to be great.”
“Seriously?” Mariella muttered to no one in particular. She couldn’t help but notice that her friend refused to make eye contact with her.
“So serious,” Emma chirped and then made a quick escape into the parking lot.
“Do you want me to leave?” Alex asked, his voice pitched low. “If it bothers you that much to spend the day with me...”
“It doesn’t bother me. You don’t bother me.” Mariella gave a sharp shake of her head. “I just don’t like surprises and I’ve had more than my fair share recently.”
“Hopefully the only other surprise you get today is the amount of fish we catch.”
They started toward the dock. Mariella could feel the speculative glances from the people they passed.
