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)
She’s not wrong.
By the time I’ve packed away a few last odds and ends like Sophie’s telescope and put them in the trunk, Margot’s ready, and the kids are practically foaming at the mouth.
The rental place is just a short drive along the lakeshore. Once we get there, I grab us a bigger family canoe and we get out on the water.
Looks like a nice chance to explore the channels and the smaller connected lake that’s closer to this side.
Amazing what a difference one day makes.
We still have our burglar fuckwit hanging over us, along with our emotions, but I feel lighter every time I look at Margot Blackthorn. It’s easier to breathe.
I can’t stay pissy when I’m basking in her smile.
“Hey,” I say as she settles in next to me. Her hair is tied back and she’s wearing a bulky life jacket, but she looks ridiculously beautiful.
“Hey, yourself,” she says.
“Thanks for coming. The kids are having a great time.” I nod at where they’re sitting at the front of the canoe, chattering too fast for me to hear.
Every time they spot a small island, they’re making up stories about buried treasures and ancient dragon bones on the fly.
I miss having that much imagination.
And I’ve missed having a day this easy, bright and cool and soothing, one of the rare times that makes it worth living.
“Of course,” she says like it’s nothing. “It’s good to see them so happy—and even better when it’s you.”
“It’s been a rough season.”
“It’s over now. If you give it a chance, life turns over, just like the leaves out here.” She rests a hand on my knee. “Onward and upward, right? This is your year, big daddy. I can feel it.”
“Hope you’re right.” I watch them as I paddle along, steering us into one of the bigger channels next to a sandy beach. “That reminds me, I had something to ask you.”
I clear my throat as her eyes sharpen.
Why the hell am I nervous?
“If it doesn’t put you out too much, how’d you like to come visit sometime?”
She tilts her head, a tiny smile playing across her mouth. “I have an apartment in Manhattan.”
Of course she does.
That’s only a half answer and good reason to keep my poker face on.
“I’m spending a lot of time in Portland these days, but… my shoe stuff will take me back to New York sooner or later.” She taps a finger against her chin, her smile widening. “Especially if I have friends to visit.”
“You do, woman. We want you there.”
“I’d love that.” Her blue eyes soften. “Before today, I thought you’d never ask. I wasn’t sure if you wanted this thing to…” She trails off.
“Until now, I wasn’t sure either,” I admit. “But hell, watching you try to skip out made me realize I’m not ready for that. Not tomorrow and not next week. We can go our separate ways, but we don’t have to.”
Her eyes ignite, putting the blue lake to shame.
“Then it’s settled. No big goodbyes. Just see ya later.” She nods.
Sunlight crisscrosses her face, and she squints in the light.
“Dammit, yeah.” The kids are distracted, so I lean forward and kiss her lightly on the lips.
The softest moan spills into my mouth and her fingers dig into my thigh.
Just a peck, innocent and quick, wrapped in a dark and dirty promise.
No lie, I’m addicted.
I’m going to need her back not long after we put Maine in the rearview mirror.
It’s a struggle to hold in how addicted I am.
“Ew, you guys.” Dan turns around to see us just in time, his nose wrinkled.
“Ew yourself, little man. I’ll make you regret your words someday when you’re old enough to do more than pull a girl’s pigtails.”
To be fair, I suppose I never grew out of that myself.
I chuckle, though, leaning back.
Margot’s cheeks flush as she giggles and mutters something about how embarrassed he’ll be.
The rest of our outing passes in a happy haze. The heat in my gut grows heavier by the minute, and it has nothing to do with the sun.
When we get back to the dock for a bathroom break and lunch, the warmth fades.
There’s a slip of paper on my windshield.
A ticket? All the way out here with no one else in the parking lot?
Didn’t see a meter or sign of any sort asking for a fee, though.
My instinct tells me that isn’t it, and I don’t like the other possibilities.
Margot and the kids wait in the boat for me to bring back lunch from the cooler, so I grab the note and look it over.
Send the kids and the woman away. You’ll face your destiny alone if you’re still a man, and not just a grubby little thief.
Now we know.
My heart picks up, thundering with rage.
Our asshole stalker was never after Margot. He’s got a beef with me.