Page 50 of Hot for the Hockey Player
She nodded.“Hmm.I’ve never heard that before.”
Laurel’s smile was far too knowing, too mature for her young, preteen age.I’d definitely have to be careful what I said around this kid.“Roz Berry makes really nice soap.We have some at home.She made a special one with tea tree for Damon to help with his acne, and it worked really well.”
“Wait.”I faced her for a second before focusing back on the road as we drove through the quiet, dark streets of the island.“Her name isRozBerry?”
“Well, Rozlyn, but she goes by Roz.”
“And her last name is Berry,” Honor added with a little giggle.“I think it’s funny.”
I smirked again and shook my head.“It’s certainly something.”
“Did you like the class, Mav?”Honor asked, redirecting the conversation.“I really liked your trees.”
I snagged her gaze in the rearview mirror again and smiled.“It was actually pretty relaxing.Once you learn to just ‘give into the water and the muse,’ like Sage said—” Both girls snorted.“Then it’s quite calming.”
“I liked our beach scene classes best,” Honor said.“These trees are nice too, but the beach ones with all the different sky and ocean colors were my favorite.”
“Ooh, maybe Sage will run that class again after this one and I can take it.”
“Did you talk to the woodwork person?”Laurel asked.
“I did!Thank you for reminding me.”The sign for the vineyard three miles up ahead came into view on the right.“Both the woodwork and metalwork shops said it would be no problem.So we’ll chat with your mom and see what days and times work best.I’m sure it’ll be lots of fun.I remember that I really enjoyed both metalwork and woodwork class in junior high and high school.”
“I don’t know if they offer those at our high school,” Laurel said.“Damon’s never mentioned it.”
I took the next right down the narrowed road that brought us to the vineyard.Soon, the trees cleared, giving way to the vast fields of grapevine rows.As far as the eye could see, the fields on both sides of the lane stretched to the horizon with plants that in the spring would be teeming with juicy fruit.
“Next sunny day you should come over and we can take you down to the beach,” Honor said.“It’s just below the vineyard.”
“Is it your private beach?”I asked as just a few fat raindrops landed on my windshield.
“No,” she said glumly.“And we’re not allowed to go without adults.At least not in the summer.”She made a noise of disgust.“It’s a nude beach.Like people take off all their clothes and lay around completely naked.How weird is that?”
My jaw went slack and I glanced over at Laurel for confirmation.She frowned and nodded.“It’s true.It’s gross.”
I snorted.“I’m guessing it’s mostly old hippies that frequent that beach to avoid tan lines?”
“Mom says I’d be scarred for life if I saw any of the Island Elders in their birthday suits.”
Honor giggled.“What if they burned their butts?They’d never be able to sit down.”
“They probably put sunscreen on their butts,” Laurel said, turning around in her seat to face her cousin.“I don’t want to picture it though.”
The driveway for the vineyard came into view, and a moment later, I took the right turn.“Well, I doubt we’d find any naked old hippies down there this time of year.So definitely, on the next sunny day, you guys can show me the beach.”
“It’s a bit of a walk since we’re on the top of a cliff.”Honor unbuckled her belt when I brought the truck to a full stop and put it into park.“Thanks for the ride, Maverick.This was fun.”
“Same time next week, kiddo?”
“Sounds great.”She opened up the back door at the same time Laurel opened up hers.
She glanced at me.“Thanks, Mav”
“I’ll walk you to the door, kiddo,” I said, unbuckling my belt and opening my door.“I wanted to chat real quick with your mom.”
She nodded and headed for the porch steps.Honor took off toward the string of solar lights off in the trees, which I’m guessing was where the cottage she lived in with her mom and brother was.
Laurel climbed the stairs and opened the door.I hung out on the porch though.She gave me a weird look as she removed her shoes and jacket.“You coming in?”
