Page 42 of Worth the Want
She laughs. “No, no. I’m sorry. That was probably dumb.”
“Not at all. It’s a great suggestion. One that I’ll be taking—if I can figure out where to look,” I tell her. I’m not online—like at all. Besides sending and receiving emails, I don’t spend time on the internet.
“Probably his socials would be a good start…see if he’s in any groups or discussion boards.” Her words are a little tentative, like she doesn’t want to step on my toes. “I can help if you want,” her offer is tempting for more reasons than those having to do with my case. I could probably figure it out on my own, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a partner?
“That would help me out a lot,” I tell her, and she beams at me.
“Then I would be happy to help.”
“Is this beans?” Hazel asks, causing Indie to laugh.
“Yeah, dragonfly, it’s—” I’m cut off by Indie’s spoon clattering against her bowl.
“Sorry. Um I’m just going to go to the bathroom real quick. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure, second door on the right, across from Hazel’s room,” I tell her.
“I like beans,” Hazel tells me, happily eating another spoonful of chili.
I’m not sure what would have caused it, but Indie looked upset. Sad somehow, seemingly out of nowhere.
When she gets back, the look is gone. Her sweet smile and happy-go-lucky attitude are back in place. I’ve noticed she has these moments every now and then. When she directs the conversation to a new topic or gets quiet before answering a question. Curiosity isn’t something I like to get entangled in, but I think I’d like to get tangled up in Indiana Holmes.
After my morning run, I step out of the shower, wrap my fluffy towel around me, and swipe the steam from the mirror, catching a glimpse of myself. Five weeks in Silverthorne, and I’m turning into a version of myself I didn’t realize existed anymore. My skin has deepened into a golden brown, and afternoons spent on the lake are causing more of my freckles to stand out.
Which is how I’ll be spending my day off. With my e-reader loaded with books and my tote bag filled with snacks and sunscreen, I slip into my blue bikini. It would be a lie to say that I didn’t havehimin mind when I laid it out. It’s almost the same color as his eyes. I grab my wide-brimmed hat and put on my sandals, pick up my tote bag and head down to the dock. Only when I get there—it seems I won’t be the only one.
Three heads turn to see me coming down the trail. Sally comes to meet me at the end of the dock.
“Hey, Sally girl,” I coo, stepping onto the wooden slats and bending to pat her head.
“Indie!” Hazel shouts.
“Hi, beautiful. How are you today?”
“Good! We’re swimming!” she tells me as Knox continues to rub sunscreen on her face before putting a little sun hat that matches her pink swimsuit on her head.
“Do you mind if I hang out here with you guys today?” I’m asking Knox because, as much as he’s warmed up to me the last few weeks, I still don’t want to intrude.
“Yay!” Hazel shouts. I smile but keep my eyes fixed on Knox, waiting for his response. Wanting him to want me here, not just tolerate my presence. His answer warms me from the inside out.
“We’d like that.”We.Not just Hazel but him too.
I’m not sure in what capacity he wants me around. Maybe he’s starting to see me as a friend, or maybe he’s just being neighborly. I don’t care if it’s that he likes looking at me in a bathing suit, as long as he wants me close by.
Spreading out my towel, I sit down on it criss-cross applesauce. Hazel joins me, the smell of her sunscreen floating in the air. Her water wings squeak with each movement.
“What’s that?” she asks, looking at my green beaded anklet. I stretch my leg out so she can get a better look.
“It’s an anklet. Do you like it?”
“Yes,” she says longingly. I grin, digging through my tote bag to see if I can find—yes, there it is. I pull out one of my many bracelets. It’s too big, but maybe if I tie it a little tighter, it’ll work.
“What do you think of this one?”
“It’s so pretty,” she tells me, eyes wide like she’s never seen such treasure.
“I think so too, but I think it would look even better on someone else I know.”
