“What is it?” she asked, tilting her head.
“I’m just admiring my beautiful wife.” My eyes roamed the length of her with pleasure.
She smiled, showing off that dimple. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
I reached out to draw her close. “It’s like heaven here with you. I’ve never been this happy.”
“Me either.” She slipped her arms around my waist and sighed. “This has to be the best honeymoon of all time.”
I stroked her back and thought about everything that brought us here. Sure, there were some bumps in the road, but we made it.
A lot had happened since the day I asked her to marry me.
For starters, Violet had become Truth Harbor’s new mayor. A position which suited her in every way. After running a political campaign with all the vigor and discipline of a field marshal, she was elected last month. Claire said her dad would have been pleased to see it.
Doug and Daphne, besides getting engaged, had also gone into business together. After Doug sold Bradley Renovations to Bob, he and Daphne used the money to open a small health food store with a bakery attached. Doug now sold his kick-starter muffins to the world. And it turned out Daphne makes a delicious jam to complete those muffins. Their store was downtown in one of the old buildings that would have been destroyed. And even though Doug still worried a lot, I’d noticed these days he did it with a smile on his face.
Even better, my aunt Linda, the dragon lady, sold her house in Seattle and was moving to Truth Harbor. God help us. Apparently she adored Daphne though and was excited for grandchildren.
My mom finished the first book in her cozy mystery series and published it herself. So far it was doing well, and she was hard at work on the second one. A local bookstore hosted a signing. I was proud and happy for her. She and Elliot were still seeing each other and recently came back from a trip to Ireland. The more I’d gotten to know him, the more I approved. I suspected there might be marriage plans in their future.
My sister’s play was so successful she stayed in town to be part of the next production. After creating the terrific logo for Maids of Truth, the pest was also considering a career in graphic art. She still hadn’t gone back to college. It hadn’t been easy, but my lovely new bride convinced me to keep my opinions about that to myself.
Ethan, the bonehead, and his wife, Ivy, recently became the parents of identical red-haired twin girls. Claire told me she was happy for them, so I was too.
I hadn’t heard a word from my father, not that I wanted to. The people I had tracking him told me he was in Costa Rica, but that was months ago, and I’d long since stopped keeping tabs on him.
As for me, I sold my house in Seattle. The market timing was perfect, and to be honest, I made a killing. I’d already moved all my stuff into Sullivan House and planned to commute to Seattle and work from home.
Claire’s maid business was continuing to grow. She’d added two more employees and was thinking ahead. She’d told me recently that if things continued on as they had been, she might open a second location. Taylor, who I’d met a few times now, was managing things for her while we were on our honeymoon.
And let’s not forget our feathered friends, Calico Jack and Quicksilver. After some initial adjustments, both birds settled in happily at the larger house. I’d tried to convince my wife to get them a couple lady birds, but so far no dice. Sorry, guys.
Claire and I still slept in the carriage house sometimes. Eventually she planned to make it her office, but for now I liked to think of it as our den of iniquity.
Speaking of iniquity….
Dinner on the boat was fresh fish and vegetables we cooked on the small galley stove. We ate our meal under an orange and gold sunset, surrounded by other sailboats bobbing in the distance.
“That was the best meal ever,” I said, patting my stomach with satisfaction.
She laughed. “You say that every time.”
“That’s because it’s true.” I reached over for her empty plate. “Would you like some rum?” I asked, getting up.
“Okay.” She smiled and stretched her arms out before lying back on the pillows and blankets we’d set out.
I took our plates below, then came back with glasses and the bottle of rum we’d picked up on St. Thomas.
“There are so many stars out here at night,” she said, gazing upward. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? More than back home even.”
I poured a splash in each glass and handed one to her, then settled myself beside her to stargaze.
We’d done this almost every night. The two of us out here drinking a little rum and enjoying the cool breeze as we talked and made plans for the future. Later we’d make love, either up here or in the cabin below.
“I’ve been thinking lately.” I set my glass down and turned toward her.
“Oh? And what have you been thinking about?” She put her drink down and snuggled next to me.
“Everything. Even though we just got married, I don’t want to wait or put it off.”
“Put what off?”
“All the things we want. You know how I am—I like to go for it.”
She looked up at me, her eyes large and dark. I watched as comprehension sank in. The longing on her face. Then I thought about those little yellow rain boots splashing on the water’s edge, and there was longing on mine too.
I held her close, enjoying the scent of coconut shampoo mixed with the sweetness of the woman I loved. I kissed her forehead and then her mouth.
“Are you saying what I think you are?” she murmured.
I nodded. “Yes, I am.” I put my lips to her ear and whispered, “Let’s make a baby tonight, sweetheart.”
The End
Thank you for reading Philip and Claire’s story. I hope you enjoyed it. I loved writing about those two. Like Claire, I lost my dad three years ago, so parts of their story were very personal for me.
The next book in the series will be Leah’s, and the third book will be Theo’s. (And, yes, Gavin and Eliza will have a book too!)
If you enjoyed Philip and Claire’s story, I wonder if you’d be kind enough to leave a review for their book on Amazon. Something short (a sentence or two) is so helpful. I’d appreciate it.
With all the books available nowadays, I’m so happy you chose one of mine. If you have any thoughts or comments you’d like to share, feel free to email me at [email protected].
xo,
Andrea
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Andrea
Also by Andrea Simonne
Sweet Life in Seattle series
Year of Living Blonde
Return of the Jerk
Some Like It Hotter
Object of My Addiction
Too Much Like Love (Coming Soon… )
About Love series
Truth About Men & Dogs
Other
Fire Down Below
About the Author
Andrea Simonne grew up as an army brat and discovered she had a talent for creating personas at each new school. The most memorable was a surfer chick named "Ace" who never touched a surfboard in her life but had an impressive collection of puka shell necklaces. Andrea still enjoys creating personas though now they occupy her books. She's an Amazon best seller in romantic comedy and author of the series Sweet Life in Seattle. She currently makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons.
She lo
ves hearing from her readers. You can find her on the web at www.andreasimonne.com.
Email: [email protected].
Truth About Men & Dogs Page 42