Page 153 of Lemon Crush

Maybe I liked roller coasters now.

“August?”

I stood up when Kingston’s parents ambled my way.

“You did great out there.” The handsome older man, with his white goatee, took my hand and patted it. “Your mother would be proud.”

“Thank you, Mr. Haywood.”

He nodded absently. “The boat looks good, if I say so myself. A challenge, making something that size seaworthy. Balance, you know. But I managed.”

“I made him add a fairy to the prow and a mermaid design along the sides,” Mrs. Haywood said with a compassionate smile. “I knew Sam would like that. She always loved mermaids, didn’t she?”

I couldn’t wait to see it. “Yes, she did. I’ll come get it on Monday, if that’s okay.”

Mr. Haywood smiled. “Anytime you want. You’ve got an eye for art, August. I was thinking about incorporating some of your design ideas into a new memorial piece I’m working on for another customer. Got my hands on a big, beautiful bit of teak.”

“We’ll talk about it later, dear,” Mrs. Haywood said, nodding at Morgan before guiding her husband back toward the area where Mom’s friends had gathered to drink wine and share old memories.

My sister got to her feet as they left. “If you’re okay, I’m goingto go find my husband and help him celebrate his anniversary. Chick, you’re leaving the RV here overnight, right?”

When he didn’t answer, we both looked around to find him back beside the tent, deep in conversation with Kingston. Probably about the documentary.

“I’ll assume that’s a yes and it’s ours for the night.” She kissed my cheek and gave me a finger wave. “You really did do great out there today. I love you, August.”

“I love you too. Go find Gene and take care of my sister.”

I waggled my eyebrows and she laughed, disappearing into the crowd while I looked around the circle of empty camp chairs and sighed. “And then she was alone again.”

“You’re never going to be alone again. You know that, right? You’re stuck with me.”

I was already smiling when Wade turned me into his arms. “How’s Bernie?”

“She needs to let off some steam. Today shook her up more than she’s letting on. She’s not used to failing.”

“She didn’t fail,” I said, offended on her behalf. “She was completely blameless.”

“She doesn’t see it that way. It’ll be fine. Did I hear Morgan say she’s stealing our RV of love?”

I snuggled closer and nodded against his chest. “I hope I didn’t leave my underwear in there. Tomorrow, we’ll call dibs.”

“Tomorrow? You’re not planning to race again, are you?”

“Hell no.” I leaned back and stared at his mouth. “I’m done with racing. I’d rather take my time. Like Myrtle.”

His lips twitched. “I’m not mad about that. I didn’t like standing on the sidelines while you were out there. The next time you decide to take a risk like that, I want to be beside you.”

Lady bait.

I nuzzled his prickly chin with my cheek and murmured, “You are surprisingly good at this romance thing.”

“You said you didn’t need it. I never said I couldn’t deliver.” His hands cupped my ass and I twined my arms around his neck, tipping my head back to look at him. “I was thinking, after we fulfill Sam’s boat request, we should take a long weekend, just the two of us. Maybe go to Maine.”

So goodat romance.

“I love you.” It kept bursting out of me, this feeling I had for him. “Get used to hearing it, because I can’t stop saying it.”

“I know.”

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