Page 67 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“And he really knows his way around a plant.” Surely he wasn’t jealous. Did she want him to be? Maybe. The notion surprisedher. Probably just a relic of their former relationship—as was his jealousy, most likely.

Gavin moved on to the French doors, leading to her balcony. “Wow, you’ve outdone yourself out there.”

Her balcony was an outdoor oasis, sporting an old white glider she’d procured at a garage sale. The space was currently blooming with every color of the rainbow. Every morning she—

“I’ll bet you have your coffee out there every morning in your ratty blue robe.”

“It isn’t ratty.” She continued inspecting her hibiscus blooms.

“You probably read the newspaper out there too.”

“I get my news online these days.”

“But I’ll bet you still read it with your coffee.”

He’d win that bet. “You still forget your coffee in the microwave. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

“You still think reheated coffee is the devil.”

“It is.”

They shared a smile.

“Emma swim now.” The girl was rooting through her diaper bag, half the contents already spilled onto the floor. She pulled out the pink swimsuit. “Princess suit!”

“Let me clean out the fridge first, okay? Then we’ll go swimming.” She addressed Gavin. “I have no idea what I might’ve left in there, but it shouldn’t take long.”

“Take your time. I’ll get her changed.”

Chapter26

First there’d been Connor, now Brandon. Who was this guy she trusted with a key to her place? With herplants? And was he currently hanging out at the swimming pool?

With Emma in his arms Gavin eased through the chlorinated water, his gaze flittering over the sunbathers. Chances were slim the guy would be hanging around the apartment pool on a random Tuesday afternoon.

He dipped down into the water.

Emma squealed. “Water cold!”

“Wanna do it again?”

She giggled. “Yeah.”

Gavin dipped her down again. She flapped her arms, water wings and all, splashing water on her face. She blinked and gasped. When she opened her eyes, she gave Gavin a toothy smile. Her pale lashes clumped together, and her bangs hung in wet strings. She had to be the cutest thing on God’s green earth.

“Want me to let you go?”

“Over there.” Emma pointed to the steps leading into the pool.

He waded that way, catching sight of Laurel approaching. Agrass-green bathing suit hugged her slim figure, and a short white skirt fell to mid-thigh. Those legs hadn’t lost their appeal. Nor had the rest of her. He’d always been attracted to her, from the first moment he’d seen her. Getting to know her had only magnified that attraction.

Emma squirmed in his arms. He’d already reached the steps, which he would’ve realized if he hadn’t been gawking at Laurel.

He set Emma down and she plopped on the first step, barely in the water.

Laurel spread a beach towel on the lounge next to his. “Is the water cold, Emma?”

“Yeah.”

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