Page 61 of One Southern Summer

She watched Cole as he untied the line, gently nudged them away from the dock then hopped back into the boat like he’d done it a thousand times.

Hello, hotness.

Her cheeks flamed again. He casually slid onto the cream-colored vinyl cushion beside her and stretched his arms toward Hayes. “May I?”

“Of course.” She passed Hayes back, letting her fingers brush against Cole’s then settled in her seat and let the warm sunshine sink into her skin. Greer motored out into the lake, obeying the no wake zone. Harper and Mama sat on the bench seats at the bow of the boat. Addison stood next to Greer, her little hand beside his on the wheel.

“Do you have anything he can chew on?” Cole asked. “Or is he hungry?”

Avery studied Hayes. He’d been fed and changed already. He had one finger jammed in the side of his mouth and he looked quite comfortable tucked in the crook of Cole’s arm.

“I brought a couple of toys.” She fished a set of baby’s keys from her bag. Cole took them and playfully jiggled the rainbow-colored plastic together. Hayes gave a slobbery grin then batted at the keys.

She forced herself to look away before that warm fluttery feeling washed over her again. They were supposed to be working on designing and decorating a new house, not falling in love. She’d not made much progress on her assigned tasks yet. Part of her expected Dale to get aggravated with her indecisiveness and tell Cole she’d never come up with a feasible plan. She could whip up a couture ball gown faster and with more confidence than she could figure out what to put inside a residence for women.

He was going to be so disappointed with her when he found out he’d chosen the wrong person for the job. Not to mention that photo was just going to get everybody talking all over again.

In an effort to channel her frustration into something positive, she’d accepted an offer to collaborate with a local business that sold Alabama-made housewares. Product placement on her social media and short-form video promoting a summer-themed flat lay on an outdoor table was right up her alley. People couldn’t be cruel about table settings and centerpieces, could they? Focusing on being an influencer carried so much less risk than having her personal life overanalyzed by people she’d once considered her allies.

Oh, she never should have let Cole convince her she could do this.

“Hey, are you all right?” The warmth of Cole’s shoulder brushing against hers muddled her thoughts all over again.

She tried for a smile. “I have a lot on my mind.”

There. That was true.

“Same.”

The tension knotted between her shoulder blades eased a bit at his admission. Had he seen their photo on television or online yet? He hadn’t seemed nearly as upset by that guy taking their picture as she had been. Maybe he considered any publicity for the foundation a good thing. Greer increased their speed and they glided across the lake. Hayes let go of the keys and his eyes grew heavy.

Cole gently readjusted the brim of the baby hat.

“Where did you learn to hold a baby?”

“I’ve been learning as I go. Hemby has kids. Most of my friends have at least one child. I mean, I’d never volunteer in the church nursery or anything but sometimes people trust me enough to let me hold their offspring.”

She laughed. “If you can get that boy to sleep on a boat I’m going to call you the baby whisperer.”

He grinned and the skin at the corners of his eyes crinkled. “Challenge accepted.”

Addison glanced back over her shoulder. “Mama, take my picture with Papa Greer.”

“I left my phone on the kitchen counter,” Avery said. “I’m sorry.”

“Here, I brought mine.” Mama pulled her phone from her bag and handed it to Harper. “Why don’t you take the picture?”

“Sure.” Harper took the phone and held it up toward Addison and Greer. “Saycheeseburgers.”

“Cheeseburgers!” Addison propped her fist on her hip and looped her other arm around Greer’s. Harper took a few photos. Addison immediately scampered over to review them. “Here. I knowed the filters I want.”

Chuckling, Avery shook her head. “She’s something else.”

Cole gently nudged her knee with his own. “You’ve got to admire a girl who knows what she wants. Another trait she gets from you, I’m sure.”

Her amusement evaporated. She turned her lips inward to keep from snarling at him.

“Oh, no.” Cole’s voice dropped low. Instantly contrite. “What did I say?”

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