Page 48 of Lovewell Lane

“What boat?” We had money, but I didn’t own any boats that I knew of. My dad had a boat years ago, but we sold it since we never made the effort to go to a lake big enough worth towing a boat for.

“Sienna said there’s a boat. At the Inn.”

“Oh, I’m not sure that’s necessary, we can just fish off the ba-”

“We need the boat!” Tessa interjected, “for the full experience.”

I looked over at her and cocked an eyebrow. The older she got, the more she surprised me. “Alright then, I’ll bring the good poles, too. Make sure you get your first catch.”

She smiled, looking very pleased with herself. “Good idea, Daddy.”

15

Margo

Something tapping on my door pulled me out of sleep. This was my one day to sleep in. I’d been getting my body used to waking up before the damn sun to prepare for opening the diner every day. If it was the fucking duck that woke me, I was rehoming him to the nearest lake.

I swung the door open and looked down to find Tessa. She looked way too chipper for it still being dark out. “Good morning,” she sang loudly.

“Good morning, Tess.” I tried smoothing down my bedhead. “How can I help you on this fine day?”

“We’re going fishing. Can you come with us?”

I’d never been fishing in my life. My eyebrows scrunched just thinking about getting out of my pajamas and going to a cold lake instead of my warm bed. “Um—”

“Pleeeeeease,” Tessa begged. She literally put her hands up and clasped them together. The kid had the puppy eye routine down pat.

“Okay, can I have a few minutes to get ready?”

She nodded graciously and ran back inside her house while I stared blankly, wondering what I just agreed to.

“Is this some new Weston family ritual that I wasn’t privy to?” I asked Derek.

This was the first time I’d had a real conversation with Derek since I got drunk off my ass on Kenny’s punch. It was the perfect setting to break the ice, considering it was before the sun was fully up and below sixty degrees. Sarcasm felt like the way to go.

We were all piled in his truck. And by all, I meant Derek, Sam, Tessa, and I. In the bed of the truck were enough fishing poles to feed a small village along with four mysterious coolers. I just hoped I didn’t have to pick up or touch any slimy fish.

“No, this was all Tess’s idea,” he answered.

Tessa kicked her feet excitedly in her little boots. It nudged Sam’s chair and he turned around to playfully scold her. “Cool it, Tess. It’s only a ten-minute drive.”

“Sienna and her mom are ready, right?”

“I texted Lila and she says they are awake and ready for a good morning fish,” Sam said.

Is this what small-town life was like? Spontaneous fishing trips at six in the morning? This whole time I’d been waiting for the other boot to drop, and I should’ve been looking out for a fishing trip invite.

“So do we eat the fish?” I asked hesitantly.

“No!” Tessa answered. “We are doing catch and let go.”

“Catch and release,” Derek corrected.

“Same thing,” Tessa huffed.

We pulled up to the lake situated behind the Lakeside Inn. Somehow, I’d never walked around here before. It was stunning. I helped the others unload the truck and set up for a day of fishing. Mostly, I watched what Sam and Derek were doing and tried to follow suit.

When the chairs were all set up, Tessa claimed her small blue one with bumble bees printed on it. Derek inconspicuously handed me a thermos, and I opened it to find steaming hot coffee. I gave him the best sleepy smile that I could muster to show my gratefulness.

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