Picture Perfect Summer
Page 21
“I won’t,” she promises, but I know my sweet wife will pack everything and the kitchen sink for a couple hours of beach time.
As she disappears with River, I say to our son, “Pretty sure all you need is sunscreen and a hat.”
Since I already have board shorts on, I head outside, grabbing a tube of baby sunblock on the way. It’s warm and sunny so I strip Forest of his clothes and rub him down so he’ll avoid getting burned. “Damn, forgot the hat,” I mutter.
“Damn,” Forest says, smiling widely.
I suck in air. “No, not... your momma is going to kill me.”
“Daaammmnnnn,” Forest sings out.
“Wanna build a sand castle, buddy?” I frantically start digging a hole, even as a wave comes in and fills it up. “Son of a... let’s try again.”
Forest nods, crouching beside me. “Dig, Daddy.”
“Did you forget his bathing suit?” True asks, holding out Forest’s swim trunks.
“He’s two. I ran around bare-assed naked until I was at least seven.”
“Duke, language.”
River snickers.
“Dammmmnnnnn,” Forest says, and I groan.
“Guess I was too late.” True bursts out laughing and tosses the swim trunks into her bag. “And I guess since we’re the only ones who can be on this part of the beach, I’m okay with a bare bottom.”
I kiss her quickly. “Mind hanging out with Forest so I can swim with River?”
“Not at all.”
River kisses True’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
True’s eyes widen as she mouths. “Did you hear that?”
I wink at her. “Later, gators.”
“Gatorssss,” Forest shouts.
River grabs my hand and we run for the ocean, diving in as soon as we can.
“I’m so happy to be home,” River says as we shoot to the surface.
“Me, too.”
“Do you think True liked that I called her mom?”
We float to the top of another wave before I can answer. “I know she did.”
“Will Laken get mad at me?”
Laken no longer lives in Castle Beach. She and her husband moved to Utah two years ago, job transfer. While she still keeps in contact with River, she’s stopped demanding that our daughter spend time with her.
“No. She loves you, River, and as long as True treats you right, then Laken and I are happy for you.”
“Maybe I’ll go see her next month. I do miss my little sister.”
“When she gets older, you can invite Brooke here, too.”
“Really?”
“She’s family. I won’t ever make you choose when it comes to family, honey.”
River swims up to me and gives me a hug while treading water, her legs like a blender, churning beneath the surface. “You’re the best dad.”
“Last one to shore has dish night,” I call out and give River a head start, then I follow behind her at a distance, pretending my strength has given out.
River looks over her shoulder and laughs. She knows my game.
I let her win, mostly because I know she won’t be here tonight. Ophelia has already made plans with her.
When I get to shore, River’s building sandcastles with Forest and my wife is sunning herself, in a modest one-piece. I sit down beside her, admiring the way she fills it out.
“Think maybe tonight you and I could have some beach time on the back porch?”
True considers my words, a gleam in her hazel eyes. “I don’t know... what’s in it for me?”
“Me at your beck and call.” I slide my finger along the outer edge of her suit, where the fabric meets her thigh.
She shivers. “Meet you there at 7:30.”
“It’s a date.”
Then I kiss her.
*
After lunch, I’m helping Forest build a fort with pillows and blankets in the living room when there’s a knock on the door.
“Who’s here?”
“I do not know,” Forest replies, making me laugh. This kid... Man, I love him.
“Let’s go see.” I grab Forest and head for the front door.
“I’ll get it,” River calls out, beating me and opening it first. “Uncle Knight!”
“My favorite oldest niece,” he says and gives her a tight hug before stepping inside. I step back to let them talk for a bit. “Have you finished unpacking yet?”
River nods happily, mostly because I think she’s found another victim, I mean listener of all the things that she must share. She definitely did not get that from me, but True encourages her openness and willingness to talk because she insists that one day real soon, River will clam up and I will miss her chatter. Since I trust True and love my daughter, I go along with her advice.
“Yup and later, I get to spend the night with Ophelia. She said we are going to get our nails done and eat Chinese.”
“Nice. Send me and Aunt Campbell a picture when you’re done.”
“I’m thinking about getting all white nails with little flowers on them. They’re so cute and maybe even some sparkles,” River says, all smiles. “Oh! Maybe I can paint Hazel’s nails this weekend.”
“She’d love that.” Knight shoves his hands into his pockets and I step fully into the foyer. “Can’t wait to see the final product. So, where is your daddy?”
“In the living room with Forest.”
“Actually, I’m right here.” Our eyes meet and the fine hairs on the back of my neck lift. “Everything okay? Campbell? Hazel... Holden?”
“They’re fine. Momma’s fine... it’s not anyone here.” My heart slams against my chest. Could it be... could we finally have news about Laird? Slowly, he closes the door behind him. “Can we talk in private?” he asks, nearly confirming my worst fear and greatest hope.
“Absolutely.” I shift my son’s weight around in my arms. I kiss the top of his head, his baby fine hair tickling my nose. “True, can you take Forest for me?”
“Hi, Knight,” True says as she joins us and takes Forest from me. “Hey big boy, want a snack?”
“Yes!”
“True. Good to see you.”
“You, too” She flashes him a sunny smile, then turns her attention to River. “Want to help me make a snack for Forest and you?”
“Sure.”
I motion for Knight to follow me to the back porch. As soon as the door shuts behind us, I pivot and ask, “Is it about Laird?”
“Yeah.” He nods, swallowing hard. “Crew called with an update.”
I tug on my ear, my heart pounding. I drop in the nearest chair. Three years ago, we hired Knight’s buddy Crew and his team to look for our little brother. At the most we hoped for closure. “Tell me.” I’m fully prepared to learn that they’ve found a body, found the boat... found something that lets us know once and for all what happened to our little brother that day.
“Laird... he’s alive.”
Thank you for reading Duke and True’s book. Sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss out on any sales or new releases, including Laird and Ophelia’s book PICTURE PERFECT LOVE!
Also by Marquita Valentine
Kings of Castle Beach
Picture Perfect Lie
Picture Perfect Marriage
Picture Perfect Summer
Picture Perfect Love
Scored
Scoring Her Heart
Protecting Her Heart
Catching Her Heart
Boys of the South
Live For You
Only For You
True For You
All For You
Wish For You
Burn For You
Melt For You
About the Author
Marquita Valentine is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.
Since first taking the plunge in July of 2012, Marquita has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling Ebooks Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes&Noble. She’s been called
“one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (The Book Queen).
When she’s not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the South with her husband, two kids, and a dog.
www.marquitavalentine.com
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