Page 48 of Falling Again
Dr. LeFeber waved off Anthony’s thanks. “No worries. It’s nice to see this old house getting some use. I hope it’s the beginning of many more summers.”
“Me too,” Anthony agreed, willing Natalie to get on board with his plan. But he had hope—what was the point of his political savvy if he didn’t get to use it sometimes?
“I won’t keep you. You two have a great day.”
With another wave, Dr. LeFeber was gone and Anthony was behind the wheel of the golf cart. “You ready?” Anthony asked, turning to Natalie. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips were slightly swollen from their kiss. God, she looked amazing.
Natalie reached up, grabbed theoh shitbar, and nodded. “Let’s roll.”
Anthony eased the cart onto the road. Immediately he was back in time. South Bass Island wasn’t too big, and all the roads were familiar. As they got into town, he saw a few new restaurants and bars, but most of their old haunts were still there. There was a new bakery that boasted the best crepes on the island. They were also the only crepes on the island, but Anthony wouldn’t argue with their marketing plan.
“Oh look,” Natalie swooned. “That fish place on the water is still there. Remember their lobster bisque?”
“Remember? It’s the reason I gained five pounds that trip.”
“Pfft. Worth it,” Natalie countered.
Anything that brought a smile to Natalie’s face was worth it. Calories be damned. “When we get back to the house, I’ll see if they’re open for reservations tonight. I guess we’re at the mercy of the power plant.”
“Worth the wait,” Natalie mused, leaning forward to look at the other restaurants. “Oh! Ice cream. We need to get malt shakes while we’re here.”
“Duh.” Anthony winked and turned their cart to the road along the coast. Natalie propped her foot on the dashboard. The motion caused her dress to slide up, exposing most of her thighs. Anthony forced his eyes back to the road, not wanting Natalie to get injured further when he drove them into Lake Erie.
In ten minutes they were on the other side of the island. “We’re here,” he said as he pulled their cart into a parking spot. In the distance, Anthony saw a handful of kayaks on the water. Apparently other islanders had the same idea. The sun was already high in the sky, and he pointed at her bag. “Sunscreen, ma’am.”
Natalie dug out a tube and waggled her eyebrows. “I’ll need a little help,” she said. Through her eyelashes she looked up at him, a devilish grin cracking her gorgeous face.
Once Anthony was certain he wasn’t about to swallow his tongue, he crossed the golf cart and took the tube from her hand. Helping Natalie free from the cart, he waited as she peeled off her dress. Since their arrival on the island, Anthony had seen a shift in Natalie. She wasn’t as nervous or edgy around him, and the flirty nature had returned to their interactions.
Anthony knew they had a long way to go, but watching his wife stand there in front of him wearing a suit that did nothing to hide her assets, he savored the connection between them. They were talking again; more importantly, they were laughing again. This was his second chance, and he’d be damned if he didn’t take it.
CHAPTER 14
Lake Erie felt likea refreshing cocktail on a hot day, or a hug from a familiar friend. Natalie sprawled back into the water and savored the feeling of floating. Her limbs bobbed around her; her fingers trailed circles in the water. To her left she heard Anthony splashing as he swam laps around her.
Natalie couldn’t remember the last time she was this relaxed. It wasn’t that she’d been unhappy; she loved her family more than anything. But with N&G and all her duties as First Lady, Natalie felt pulled in too many directions. Idly she wondered if she would ever feel like herself again.
