Page 74 of Hearts Aweigh
“More like a water drizzle,” Spencer muttered.
Abby elbowed him. “Make a wish, Maddie. Ask God for something special.”
Her young charge folded her hands together and bowed her head. Her lips moved as she prayed. Suddenly, her chin popped up. “Potty,” she squeaked. “I need the potty.”
“Here, honey.” Althea scooted over. “I gotta go too. You come with me. I saw a bathroom at the store.”
“I can help.” Abby moved to join them but was waved back.
“Don’t bother. You stay and enjoy the beautiful falls.”
Spencer snorted at the inaccurate description, and Abby gave him the stink eye.
“I’m coming too.” Emily hobbled toward them, leaning more on her cane than usual. “Standing around makes my legs sore.”
Promising to return, every one of the Shippers headed down the dirt path with Maddie. Spencer and Abby stood alone by the rock wall, watching the spatter of water spill from the top.
Abby cringed at the awkward silence. “Care to make a wish?”
“I don’t put any stock in wishes.” Spencer leaned on the wall. “Prayers, yes. But a magic waterfall won’t make those happen.”
“True.” Abby hooked a foot around the stool, dragged it over, and clambered on top. She teetered to the side.
“Careful.” Spencer grabbed her elbow, then released her quickly.
“Maddie had the right idea. I can see much better with a boost.” She copied the girl’s earlier pose and clasped her hands on top of the wall to say a prayer.
After a few seconds, Spencer shifted beside her. “What did you wish for?”
“I wished Maddie would call you Daddy every day.”
He turned at the same time as Abby. Thanks to the step stool, they were almost face-to-face. From this height, he was much easier to read. She saw an unfamiliar vulnerability in his eyes, like she’d revealed a hidden secret.
“You caught that?”
Her smile was sad. “Maddie’s not exactly a chatterbox, but I noticed she addresses you in a formal way. The fact she called you Daddy today made me want to crow. You must be doing something right.” She patted his broad shoulder. “Keep up the good work.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he blinked deliberately but said nothing.
“Sure you don’t want to make a wish?” She poked him in the gut.
He retreated. His sudden motion spoiled her balance. The stool tipped. Her body rushed forward. She squeezed her lids shut, but two strong arms caught her round the waist, stopping her fall.
The tips of her toes still braced against the stool, but the length of her was held against her rescuer. Abby’s stomach flip-flopped at the strong body pressed to hers. She cracked one eye open.
The right corner of Spencer’s mouth quirked. “You know, a wish wasn’t the only thing the sign mentioned.”
“Huh?”
He lowered his head. His lips touched hers with a soft but skillful pressure. His mouth rested against her own for a second before opening slightly, allowing her lower lip to nestle between his own. His large hand cupped the back of her head. Her feet lifted off the stool, adding to the dizzy swirl in her brain.
One long, slow, deliberate kiss.
His warm breath hit her face as he pulled away. Then he maneuvered her to the stool. She scrambled off. Her feet hit the ground, and she backed away.
Say something,her brain urged. Did it mean for her to speak or him? She wasn’t sure.
Spencer cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”
