Page 70 of Forbidden Kisses
“Thanks.” Grace turned back to Krista. “And?”
“And that’s the first step. I suggested something, now he’ll go home and think about it. Then he’ll decide that maybe I’m right, because I always am. Next time I see him, I’ll show you in a positive light somehow. I’ll tell him how you brought me coffee to work or something like that.”
Grace reached for the bucket of shelled peanuts at the center of the table and popped one into her mouth.
“Usually that’s enough to get things rolling. But yours is a special situation, so…”
“I don’t have time to go slow,” Grace huffed. “The tournament is this weekend. Noah has dropped out and now Jack has, too.”
Abby returned with the drinks, overhearing Grace. “They both dropped out?”
Grace shrugged. “It’s a mess, and I’m a mess.” She blew out a breath as tears filled her eyes. “Oh geez. I said I wouldn’t do this.”
“Do what?” Krista asked, rubbing Grace’s forearm.
“Cry. I don’t want to cry. I want to be strong. And I don’t want to quit the tournament. TheBeatricebelongs to the Sawyer family and I don’t care if Jack thinks it’s a stupid idea.”
“When Krista told me about your plan, I thought it was genius. Did Jack actually say it was stupid?” Abby asked, sipping her beer.
“No, not in so many words. But when he found out that’s why I wanted to win the tournament money, he was furious. I told him that my mother wanted my help fixing things between our families. He would rather she live in guilt and shame, though. He hates her.” A couple of tears streamed down Grace’s cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and shook her head.
“I’m sure that’s not true. Those Sawyer brothers are just pigheaded,” Krista said. “So the tournament is really off?”
“For us, at least. Unless I can convince Noah and Jack to change their minds, which at this point isn’t going to happen.”
“Or,” Abby said, putting her beer down.
“Or?” Grace looked up hopefully.
“Or you can find a different crew to help you.”
Hope shattered on the dusty floor of the bar. Grace reached for more peanuts. “There is no one else.”
Krista grinned and nodded at Abby. “Right. That’s a genius idea, Abs.”
Grace chewed on her peanuts. “I don’t even own a boat.”
“You’re the captain, right? You’re the one who signed up for the tournament and paid the entrance fee?” Krista asked.
Grace nodded. “Yes, but only because I had a crew and theSummerly.”
“I’ve been fishing with Noah and the Sawyers since I was six years old,” Krista said.
“And I learned in high school when I started dating Sam.” Hurt flashed momentarily in Abby’s eyes at the mention of her ex. She reached for her beer again.
“Joey and Dad have a nice fishing boat. It’s comparable to theSummerly.” Krista turned to Grace. “So there’s your crew and boat, Captain.”
Grace was still looking at them like maybe they were drunk out of their minds, even though they’d barely gotten through their first beers. “Are you serious?”
“Dead,” Krista said. “Abs, are you in?”
“Absolutely.” Abby looked delighted at the idea.
“Well, I’ve been on a boat twice this summer, and that’s it for the last decade. I can’t be a decent captain.”
“We’ll take Joey with us,” Krista decided. “Grace, you’re the captain. I’ll be first mate. Abby, you’re second mate, or whatever they call it.”
“Thought you said you knew about fishing.” Grace stiffened, slowly warming to the idea that she could do this without Noah and Jack. All wasn’t lost.
