Page 46 of Deep Waters
We were all tired by the time we got home, opting for an easy dinner of grilled cheese before settling in to watch a movie together. Hana and Tae bickered over the popcorn bowl, but otherwise it was a quiet evening, just Rae, the kids and me, doing family things.
The shot of normalcy after our rescue left me feeling grateful for my life. For Rae. For the kind of community that would pull together to search for lost hikers, or help out a new widow with her kids. It had taken me a while to open my eyes, but I was done pretending I didn’t see the woman next to me for exactly what she was: meant to be mine.
Chapter 21 – Rae
Ifigured I’d made a mistake as soon as I saw Gran’s RUN IF YOU THINK I’M SEXY sign. The kids might not be ready for Gran’s take on cheering on the runners.
One of her friends on Pear Point let us park at their house so we’d be close to the finish line. The annual half marathon brought a range of runners to the island, but plenty of locals participated. Lee and Zach had made it an annual tradition.
Gran smirked when she caught my gaze on her posterboard. “Don’t worry, dear. I made you one too.” She slipped another posterboard from her stack. “This one’s just for Zach.”
It read FINISH ME.
Traces of heat crept from my neck up to my cheeks. I’d gone much tamer with the signs the kids and I made. Not that this was the worst Gran could do. She probably considered hers subtle.
“Nice,” I murmured, glancing desperately at Violet, who smirked next to her grandmother. “What kind of sign did you make for Violet?”
“Oh, she’s got one for Lee. Show it to her, Vi.”
Reluctantly, Vi held up her sign. It read: CLUELESS MEN FINISH LAST.
Gran cackled. “Get it? Because he’s a mystery writer? He has all the clues.”
“Sure…” I drew the word out, arching my brows. Violet grimaced. That wasonepotential meaning. My money was on Vi “forgetting” that sign and using one of the others I’d brought.
“Can we go down on the beach?” Tae asked, glancing eagerly toward the other side of the house. Our host’s property had a private beach on one side and fronted the road on the other. I glanced at Gran.
“Dana and Bianca won’t mind. They’re off-island this weekend.”
“No going in the water,” I cautioned.
Tae and Hanna scampered off to explore. On this end of the island, the shore was protected, the sea calm. Gran, Vi, and I set up lawn chairs near the road. Zach had left the house early, heading for the race’s starting line. I carted out the cooler I’d packed with drinks and snacks and called the kids to the front. We tucked our signs behind our chairs and settled in to enjoy the gorgeous summer day. The scents of salt and brine carried on a light breeze. The sun beat down as the occasional big fluffy cloud passed overhead.
We clapped for the first runner, a wiry man in his fifties. He cruised past us, focused on the road ahead. A few minutes later, a mix of racers trickled by, all sinewy muscle and controlled breathing. A few nodded and smiled at our signs. A handful chuckled at Gran’s RUN IF YOU THINK I’M SEXY gambit.
Gran kept calling, “Thank you! Thank you for the compliment,” after each one, which made the kids crack up.
Gran swapped signs for the next set of runners. I CHECKED. YOUR EX ISN’T CHASING YOU.
Every few minutes, she changed signs, adding THIS IS TOO FAR TO RUN FOR A BANANA, I RUN TOO! OUTOF PATIENCE, MONEY, & FUCKS, and my personal favorite: SMILE IF YOU PEED A LITTLE.
By the time Lee and Zach came by, my throat was hoarse from cheering, but I mustered the last of my voice to encourage them.
They cruised together at a steady pace, jogging easily. Zach’s tiny running shorts exposed his muscular quads. His steady rhythm and easy posture made him look like he’d sauntered in, not just run twelve-ish miles. His intense expression turned into a broad smile as he heard me and the kids. His dimples flashed, and he barked out a low laugh over my sign.
Instead of passing, he drew to a walk, pacing and breathing heavily as he drew closer. A light sheen of sweat glistened on his shoulders and face.
“Just remember, you asked for this.” He reached for my waist, dipping me low over one strong thigh. My hair fell in a cascade toward the pavement, surprise making me laugh. He kissed me hungrily, mouth attacking with an intensity I attributed to adrenaline. Before I could fully register that he was kissing me, he righted me. “Later, Captain.”
He took off after Lee, catching up in ten long strides. I watched his perfect butt jog out of sight.
Vi sighed next to me. “We hate to watch them go, but we love to watch him leave…”
“I really hope you’re talking about Lee right now.”
“Yes, future sister-in-law,” Vi responded, deadpan.
I swatted her shoulder. “We’re nowhere near marriage.”
