Page 64 of Deep Waters
“You don’t want her hearing about Brandon’s arrest on the community page. Especially given that Tae and Hana were there to witness it.”
“Right.” Rae sighed, her features clouding. “Part of me wants to hold on to the fantasy that I can just keep it quiet until she’s back. But,given the Friday Harbor grapevine, I’ll be lucky if she hasn’t had ten texts from friends by the time I call tonight.”
I lifted our joined fingers to my lips. “Joys of living in a small town.”
“Sure.Joys.”
“Mm. Speaking of small-town benefits, it’s only fair that I warn you: after dinner, I drop the news in the family group chat. There’s a fifty percent chance Hurricane Vanessa blows in with baked goods before bedtime.”
“Only fifty percent?”
“With Gran in residence with us, she and my dad might just stay home and enjoy the quiet.”
Rae groaned softly. “Gran. She still needs to come pick up her things after her ‘date.’”
After a leisurely dinner, we walked hand-in-hand toward the marina, the kids a few steps ahead. Fish nibbled near the surface, sending concentric rings spreading in the still water. Most boats were docked for the night, leaving only a handful of tourists to roam the wharf with us. We checked onSailor SwiftandNauti by Nature. Both bobbed gently against the dock, secure in their slips. I glanced at Rae, serene beside me, her curls lifting slightly in the breeze.
“It’s going to feel like the end of an era when Jia gets home,” I said.
Hana and Tae weren’t my kids, but I sure was going to miss them. Spending time with Rae as a family had opened my eyes to a different kind of future for myself. One where I wasn’t just a friend, a volunteer, or a business owner. One where Rae and I might have a partnership and a family of our own. Going home to family dinners, reading bedtime stories, and making heart-shaped pancakes with chocolate chips as a weekend treat sounded like the kind of life I wanted to claim for myself. But only with her.
Rae stilled at my words, her face stricken. That flash of pain had me rushing to reassure her. “I can’t believeI’msupposed to be the charming Fenwick. I seem to fumble everything when it comes to you. What I meant to say was, I can’t wait to start the next chapter together.”
I turned, spreading my arms wide, silently offering the only thing I really had: myself.
“The last few weeks have shown me what our life together could be like.” I held her gaze. “I want you and that life, Rae. More than anything.”
“I want that too.”
I scooped her into my arms, twirling us both, careful to watch my footing so we didn’t end up in the harbor. Rae laughed, the sound reaching into my heart and squeezing.
“Now me! Now me!” Hana cried, holding up her arms.
She squealed as I lifted her, spinning us both until I was dizzy.
“Whoa.” I put a hand to my head, swaying theatrically like my legs had turned to spaghetti. “I need your Aunt Rae to hold my hand and help me back to the car.”
“I can help too,” Hana insisted, grasping my left hand in hers and pulling me toward where we’d parked. “C’mon. We still have sherbet at home, and I want dessert.”
I winked at Rae. “Me too.”
She shook her head slowly, a smile tugging at her mouth. Like she knew I wasn’t thinking about ice cream. But she took my right hand, leading me toward the car and home.
Chapter 28 – Rae
After helping the kids get ready for bed, I filled a glass with cold water and settled at the kitchen table to video-call Jia.
“Hey, Rae. Everything okay with the kids?” Jia’s dark eyes were inquisitive but not alarmed.
I kept my expression calm. “They’re great. But I did want to let you know we had a little more excitement at the house.”
“But you’re okay?” she fired back.
I nodded. “Brandon Chen confronted me in a ski mask this afternoon. He wanted to get into Jordan’s safe.”
Jia’s jaw dropped, her eyes round. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry, Rae.”
“I’m fine. We’re fine. I got him into the garage, then locked him in there until Sheriff Walker could get a deputy to pick him up. He’s cooling his heels in lockup.”
