Page 57 of Forbidden Kisses
Mr. Tomlin’s eyes widened just a touch. “It’s not worth but half that.”
“It is to me.” It would take all the tournament’s winnings. But it’d be worth it. “I’m in a fishing tournament next weekend. If I win, that’s how much I bring home. It’s all yours.”
“If you win.” Mr. Tomlin laughed. “Well, if you do, come talk to me then.”
There was a little hope threaded in those words. And judging by the light behind Mr. Tomlin’s eyes when she’d mentioned the money, she doubted he’d refuse to sell the boat after she did in fact win that tournament.
“I will,” she said, heading down the steps and back to her car.
Chapter 15
“Seriously, Mom.” Grace tapped her fingers on her desk. The catch of the day had already been assessed and sent on its way with the delivery crew. She’d run the numbers, twice, and now she was on the last to-do of the workday. “I’m busy. I don’t have time to talk about Mrs. Smith’s imperfections.”
“You’re my daughter. I have stretch marks to prove it. That means you owe me.”
“About that.” Grace stopped tapping. “I went to see Mr. Tomlin last night.”
“Grace Bree Donner.”
“Uh-oh. You don’t use my middle name unless you’re serious.”
“I am serious. I told you to give up that notion of buying back that boat. Don’t tell me you’re still doing that tournament next weekend, too.”
“Of course I am,” Grace said, jaw tightening.
“Right. Because you always do the opposite of what I ask.”
“Not true and not fair. I’m doing this because you asked me to.”
“I asked you to fix things for me, which I never should’ve done. That was wrong of me. It’s not your problem to fix.”
“I want the world to know that you’ve changed, Mom. You’re kind and generous, funny, giving.”
“No, that’s you,” her mother said.
“It’s you, too.” Grace swallowed back her sudden emotion. She hadn’t realized just how much shining a new light on her mother meant to her. “Hey, I have work to do, but how about you come over to dinner at my place tonight?”
“What? You want your mom over after a long day at work?”
“Yes, I do. I miss you. I’ll make your favorite,” she said, trying to bribe her. “I can have my friend Joey come by and bring you over.” And she’d pay Joey for his time. It benefited both of them.
“Well, okay,” her mom said. “But only if you’ll let me complain about Mrs. Smith’s annoying habits tonight. All of them.”
Grace laughed. “Sure, Mom.”
The door to the office opened and Jack walked in.
“Got to go. Love you.”
“You, too.”
Grace replaced the phone on the receiver and smoothed her hair self-consciously—even though the way Jack was looking at her told her there was nothing to be self-conscious about. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He crossed the room. “Are we,uh,alone?” he asked, voice dipping.
She nodded and smiled. “For the time being.”
“Good.” He bent and kissed her mouth, lingering there for a long moment that sent her toes curling inside her shoes. “I missed you last night,” he said, pulling away.
