Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
We haven’t talked about what this means or what it’s meant to be.
Hell, I’m not sure we need to.
We both know it shouldn’t be anything.
It can’t last, and it won’t.
Like the old sailboat out back, we’re two strange ships passing in the night, flashing our lights to feel less lonely.
But her hand feels warm in mine, and for now, it’s a good day.
Today, we make our own meaning, however temporary.
That’s rare enough to make me stop fussing and live in the moment.
It’s raining by the time we leave the fort two hours later, which turned out to be larger and more interesting than the fishing museum.
Guess there’s no faulting Lee for his recommendation.
The windows are cracked in the back, letting in the fresh, earthy scent of fading leaves, and the kids bicker back and forth lightheartedly.
“I can’t believe it closes at one,” Dan says in disgust. “Who’s done looking around a place that big by then?”
“I know, Bud.” I flash Margot an amused glance. She has her elbow braced against the door, her hair tossed by the wind.
This is one of those precious moments you only remember after it’s gone. Like passing scenes from a movie you barely remember and never get to replay.
Right now, I can’t remember the last time we had a day this peaceful.
Getting away from New York and the routine back there was the best decision I’ve made all year. And not just because of the bombshell beside me.
“The drums were so cool,” he says. “Like, so cool with their sheepskins. And so old. And did you see the eagles painted on the side? Can’t believe they’re two hundred years old and not worn out!”
“You’re hooked now, little man. Imagine having to play those drums on a battlefield. They were important,” I say.
“Yeah, it’s crazy! I love history when it’s cool like that with soldiers and battles. Way better seeing it than just reading about it in some old book. We need more field trips where you can get to see how people used to live.”
“Careful, or you’ll wind up a history professor like your great uncle,” I tease. “Or maybe a rock star who makes people love the ballads of 1812 again.”
And I’ll be damn proud of him, either way.
“As long as I can drum,” Dan agrees.
“Hey, look!” Sophie holds the windup Army drummer they bought from the gift shop.
They were right on the verge of closing, and it was an effort to hustle them through in time to get something.
In the end, they settled on their little prizes, and they pass the shared figurine back and forth.
“So GOATed,” Dan says as the drummer’s arms move. The tiny sticks make a tapping noise.
It has so much charm it’s distracting.
“Eyes on the road,” Margot says, laughing and pushing the hair back from her eyes. “You can play with it when you get home.”
I snort, braking and turning onto the road that will take us back to the lake house.
“I have it under control.”
“Sure you do, big guy.”
My dick loves the way she says that a little too breathy, low and teasing with a hint of promise.
Even if this thing between us has an expiration date, it’s damn fun in the meantime.
We pass a speeding pickup truck with one side dented in as we turn down the home stretch just before the gravel road.
I swerve to avoid it, just to allow extra room, distracted by thoughts of Margot later.
From her glance, she knows.
“Sure,” she says in that throaty voice. “Under control, right?”
“Sophie, give it back,” Dan whines from the back seat. “Come on, you’re hogging it!”
“Guys,” I say sharply as the house comes into view. Weird how somewhere so new can feel like home. “That’s enough for one day, don’t you think?”
“We should’ve gotten them two drummers,” Margot says.
“There was only one left.” I lower my voice. “Soph will lose interest as soon as we’re back inside, anyway. She only wanted it because Dan did.”
“Yeah, kids.” She snorts. “That sounds about right.”
As we pull up, I meet her gaze for a heated moment.
Rain splatters the windshield while they continue razzing each other in the back, thinking I don’t notice.
I sigh.
This was a good day. We need more like it.
“See you inside?” Margot snatches the keys from the central console and grins at me.
I don’t have time to answer before she’s unbuckled her seat belt and sprints out into the rain, holding her jacket above her head and laughing.
Dan’s next, the little 1812 drummer boy firmly in hand.
I’m last. I lock the vehicle after Sophie gets out and follow them to the back door.
Everyone’s still laughing until Margot walks into the house and screams.
13
HOME SECURITY (MARGOT)
Iknew something was off the second I walked in.
But it wasn’t until I saw the ceramic plate smashed on the kitchen floor that I understood why my senses were tingling.