Page 61 of Sunset Tides
The waiter dropped off their entrees – Rob had gotten a roasted chicken breast with au gratin potatoes and Lucy’s blind pick resulted in a duck confit on a bed of puréed butternut squash.
They ate, and she babbled on about the issues they were having with the county, tearing down the old structures, and tidying up the overgrown lots.
Rob listened dutifully, but after not too long she had the distinct feeling she was talking too much.
“I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about this.”
“Not at all.” He set his fork down. “I just – ah, have nothing to add.”
“We should talk about something else.” She paused, jerking her head to a couple on the other side of the room. “I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“Oh, them?” Rob leaned in and dropped his voice. “Well, he just told her he’s sick of her mother.”
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Did he?”
He nodded. “And she said he was welcome to move out and take his snakeskin vest with him.”
Lucy chortled a laugh and covered her mouth. “No she did not.”
Rob shrugged. “You think I’d lie about that?”
“What about those two?” she said quietly.
He followed her eyes to the couple nearest to them and let out a heavy sigh. “You don’t want to know.”
She leaned in. “Tell me.”
He got closer, his voice almost a whisper. “He said he’s sick of her ironing his underwear and it has to stop.”
Lucy launched back into her chair, laughing so hard she started to cough and Rob offered her some water. He had an entirely too pleased look on his face.
A moment later, the waiter dropped off their desserts – slices of French silk pie – and they took a break from their people watching to dig in.
Lucy was stuffed, but the pie was so heavenly that she finished it all within minutes.
“How about after you’re done, we go back out on the deck?” she suggested.
“I don’t want you to be cold.”
She felt like she’d eaten enough to keep her warm. “I’m fine. The others are going to take all the good spots if we don’t hurry.”
He threw his fork onto the table with a clatter. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
Lucy led the way upstairs with Rob following behind. As soon as they reached the deck, the wind hit her and sent a chill through her body.
She was turning to make a comment when they almost bumped heads.
“Sorry,” she said, pulling away.
Rob was holding out his sport coat. “I thought you’d need this.”
She shook her head. “I have a sweater.”
“It’s barely anything,” he said, stepping forward and draping his coat over her shoulders.
It was muchwarmer this way, and she decided not to protest. After all, he had those muscles to keep him warm.
They walked to the rear of the ship and found it deserted, the enormous sails now open overhead.
