Page 60 of One Southern Summer

Greer shot him a long look. “She needs you.”

Not as much as I need her, Cole thought.

A baby’s squeals interrupted their conversation. Avery walked down the dock with Hayes in her arms. Cole’s breath caught. He was grateful for his sunglasses to conceal his eyes. She wore a red sundress with a loose skirt that skimmed her knees, revealing bare legs and brown leather flip-flops. Her blond curls were loose and free and he caught a glimpse of a swimsuit strap tied halter style around her neck. She carried a canvas tote bag on her shoulder and Hayes in her arms, his head mostly covered with a brimmed sun hat. Addison skipped down the dock, singing an unfamiliar song.

Avery’s mother followed behind carrying her own tote bag and wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a green cover-up over a bathing suit. Harper wore a navy blue bucket hat and a red cover-up over her bathing suit. She’d draped a red-and-white-striped beach towel over one arm and carried a tall water bottle in her hand. Addison climbed on board without any help. Greer reached for her and effortlessly maneuvered her into the boat.

“I have a brand-new life jacket. It’s just your size,” Greer said.

Addison pushed out her lower lip. “No life jacket.”

“No life jacket, no boat ride. It is as simple as that.” He held open the life jacket for her. Pale pink with purple and teal stripes. “Are you ready, little girl?”

She hesitated, her lip pushed out even further. Cole sat back and watched the whole situation unfold.

“Addison.” Avery’s voice carried a warning.

Addison finally complied with a dramatic sigh and let Greer snap the buckles shut.

“Why don’t you come up here and help me drive?”

Addison tucked her hand in Greer’s and let him lead her to the captain’s chair.

Cole stood and moved toward Avery. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Sure, how about you take my bag?” Her smile was a radiant light that only made an already exquisite day even better. He took her bag then offered a hand to help her on board. After she had both flip-flops on the deck, he held on a second longer than necessary. Then squeezed her hand gently before letting go.

You’re pathetic.The critical voice in his head gave him pause. Maybe so. But it was too late. He couldn’t stop these feelings from escalating even if he wanted to.

The warmth of Cole’s competent hand holding hers rocketed a pleasant feeling of attraction straight through her. She widened her stance, mentally blaming the boat bobbing in the water for her flustered state. Except the boat wasn’t moving that much and Hayes seemed surprisingly calm. Cole let go but didn’t sit down. The woodsy scent of his aftershave was so appealing she wanted to make sure she sat right next to him. This only magnified her internal turmoil and her skin flushed. Now her comment in the church parking lot about them just being friends seemed silly.

“Would you like me to hold him while you get settled?” Cole asked.

“Please.” She thrust her son into his arms without a second thought. Hayes’s little face crumpled and he started to fuss.

“Hey, little buddy.” Cole’s soothing voice latched onto something dormant in her heart and brought it to life. Made her want to pluck a soda from the cooler, pop the top and stare at him for the rest of the afternoon.

Stop.The rational voice barged in, squelching her romantic notions. She sat down on the bench seat opposite Cole and pretended to rearrange the contents of her tote bag. He’d acted like he didn’t have much experience with children but wow he looked good holding her baby. She averted her gaze to check on Addison but snuck another glance at Cole and Hayes. Thankfully she’d worn her biggest, darkest pair of sunglasses.

Hayes grabbed for Cole’s sunglasses, giggling as Cole leaned out of reach. Hayes tried again and Cole turned him outward, so Hayes faced Avery. “There. That’s a much better view, don’t you think?”

Even through his polarized lenses, she felt the heat of his gaze. A telltale swirl of attraction danced behind her knees. Oh, she was in a heap of trouble.

Cole had traded his Sunday best, slacks and a button-down shirt with a bow tie, for orange board shorts that showed off his tan legs and a graphic T-shirt. She allowed her gaze to linger on the corded muscles in his arms as he carefully supported Hayes with both hands.

“All right, everyone ready?” Greer’s question intruded on her delightful observations. She managed a nod and quickly checked to make sure Addison hadn’t ditched her life jacket already. She sat on the bench in the bow of the boat, kicking her legs against the seat’s base and singing a song.

“Cole, if you’ll grab that stern line, we’ll be on our way,” Greer said.

“I’m happy to hold him again.” Cole stood and passed Hayes to her. “Give me a second to help Greer.”

“No problem.” She squeezed the words from her decidedly parched throat. Did he sense the chemistry arcing between them? Or had she crushed him with her pretentious speech about the cost of her friendship?

Whyhad she said that? She’d probably regret that comment for the rest of her life.

“Come here, pumpkin.” She welcomed Hayes into her arms. He cried and reached for Cole.

Cole paused on his way to untie the line from the cleat on the dock. The corner of his mouth tipped up in a half smile. “I’ll be back in a flash, little buddy. Don’t cry.”

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