Page 9 of Love at First Swim
Gunner
Miles went to the blasted store again for him and came back defeated.
Gunner looked up from his computer and tried to hold back his laugh, “It didn’t go well, I take it?”
Miles shook his head, “That woman was not having it. Let me know if we kept coming around she would call the cops. I don’t think we should keep bugging them about it.”
Gunner shook his head, “If we want to start the new development we have in mind, we need their store.”
Miles shook his head, “I won’t go back there again. You will have to figure it out for yourself.”
Gunner raised his eyebrows, “Seriously? Miles, I don’t have time to go down there. I have way too much to do.”
Miles shrugged, “I don’t know what to tell you. Send someone else if you want, but I won’t go again.”
Gunner pinched the bridge of his nose, “Fine. I will send someone else.”
Miles let out a sigh, “I really don’t think you should send someone back for a few days. Let them have their weekend.”
Gunner sat back in his chair, mystified that anyone would turn down his offer of so much money. It was just one tiny store.
He shook his head, this would wait. He needed to finish up with work for the weekend if he was to have uninterrupted time with Cassidy.
* * *
He finished everything with time to spare, and when it was time to have Cassidy brought to his house for trick or treating, he was excited to have this time with her.
Genna gave him a box that had her costume, a wig, and her bag for her candy. “Don’t forget that she goes to bed at 9. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, that Cassidy invited her friend to tag along with you two when you go trick or treating tonight. Okay? Her name is Arielle and she will be here at 5:30 to go along.”
Gunner nodded, “Yes, I remember about her bedtime. It is just fine that her friend comes with, I don’t mind taking two girls trick or treating. I can handle it, you know.”
Genna smirked, “We will see.”
Gunner didn’t know what that meant, but Cassidy came running in his house moments later, practically jumping up and down.
“Go, have fun with your husband. I got this. You need a few days away.”
Genna nodded and he could have sworn that Genna gave Cassidy a wink, which she returned, but that must have been what they did when Genna left.
He let it go, and then Cassidy was in his arms, talking a mile a minute about tonight, her costume, her wig and how excited she was for her friend to come along.
Genna waved and walked out the door and Gunner turned his attention to his niece, “You want to show me your costume now? Or wait until it’s closer to when we go?”
Cassidy tapped her chin with her finger, her eyes scrunched up in thought, “Later. I want it to be a surprise. Is your costume ready too?”
He laughed, “It sure is. I had Miles order me a prince costume. Is that okay?”
Cassidy jumped up and down, “Really? Which prince?” She narrowed her eyes and Gunner laughed, “The prince from my favorite movie of course.”
Cassidy put her hands on her hips, “Which one Uncle Gunner?”
He laughed, “Prince Eric. From the Little Mermaid. I know how much you love mermaids, and since you had the mermaid at your last party, I thought you would like it.”
Cassidy clapped her hands together, “Oh yay! Arielle will love it too. She loves mermaids and princesses Uncle Gunner.”
He nodded, “Oh really? That is good. Come on princess, let’s go have a snack and then we can see about getting ready.”
She held his hand and they ate a small snack, and then watched a movie, before he looked at his watch and saw that it was time to get ready.
