Page 44 of Deep Waters
“You gotta start ‘em young.”
“When was the last time you roughed it?” I asked.
“Every minute since Vanessa’s dad passed when I was twenty-five. Leaving me with a rundown farm and no real job skills was roughing it. Kids today are soft.”
“Jia’s kids have already lost a parent. I think they’ve shown they’re tough enough,” I pointed out.
Her face folded into something approaching contrition. I should memorialize today on the calendar: the day someone got Gran Fenwick to back down.
“How are things going with my grandson? You making me any great-grandbabies yet?”
Or not. Trust her to pivot to something more offensive when cornered.
Her eyes glittered. “I think you should lock him down. He’s not getting any younger. And on this island, the odds are good… but the goods are odd. He’s only medium-odd.” She shuddered. “Living on a sailboat. I’d be claustrophobic in five minutes.”
“I live on a sailboat,” I pointed out wryly.
“Exactly!” She grinned, triumphant. “You’re made for each other.”
Changing the topic was easier than arguing. “Thanks again for watching the kids. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, you’re family.” She picked up her purse, unaware of how her simple proclamation affected me. It hadn’t even occurred to me to call my dad or brothers. And they were actually related to Tae, Hana, and me. “Vi and I are going to cheer on the runners next Saturday. Do you want to bring the kids and join us?”
“Sure,” I said faintly.
She smiled at the kids, giving them a conspiratorial grin. “You remember: if you’re going to be bad, invite me. I’ll see you at the next family dinner.” She sauntered out to her truck, her gait confident and sure, her pink sweatsuit eye-searing.
Chapter 20 – Zach
“Hey.” Rae looked up from the couch, her smile the welcome I needed after our morning rescue.
Without a word, I went to her, pulling her up and into my arms for a hug. Holding on as if my life depended on it. She wrapped me tight, her hug just as fierce.
I hated the rescues that turned into recoveries. They stayed with me, forcing me to relive every step, trying out different variables. This time, there was nothing we could do. The pilot’s injuries were severe enough that he was dead on impact. But I still played the “what if” game.
At least with Rae in my arms, I felt whole again. This was the first rescue we’d tackled together since I’d admitted, at least to myself, that my feelings for her went way beyond friendship. And I’d been terrified. She had a low-risk role, monitoring the rig. But I’d had to keep repeating to myself that she was safe to focus on my climb. My emotions were complicating things.
Her hands ran up and down my back, soothing me. Slowly, my breathing matched hers, my exhales becoming longer and smoother.
“Let’s do something fun today. Let’s take the kids sailing,” I finally said.
She burrowed closer, her hands linked around my waist. “Deal. We could all use the distraction.”
Slowly, she peeled away, looking up at me, a tender light in her deep brown eyes. Her calm presence grounded me in a way I couldn’t explain but cherished. It made the way I’d drawn little cries of need from her last night even more precious. She’d quaked beneath my fingers. Beneath my tongue.
As if she could sense the direction of my thoughts, she said, “We have the kids.”
“Right.” I coughed, giving her a sheepish smile. “But I hope tonight you’ll let me distract you later in private.”
Her mouth drew wide in a wicked grin. “Deal.”
“If we drop byNauti by Nature, I can pick up supplies.” I dropped my voice to a whisper. Fuck subtle. “I mean condoms.”
Her giggle made me smile. “Fenwick, you had me at sailing.”
We rallied the kids and packed snacks to take to the boat. Hana skipped ahead on the dock. Her step faltered as we passed the berth where her dad and Brandon docked. Tae seemed to avoid looking at the boat’s berth at all.
“Was this a mistake?” I muttered to Rae.
