Page 59 of Visions of You

“Is this beach park busy?”

My abrupt subject change caused him to slit his eyes open again. “Yes. It’s very popular, but since it’s a weekday, we should be able to get a good spot.”

I firmly dislodged his arm. “Then let’s get going. The snorkeling will be better before other people get in the water and scare the fish away. We can stop by Sweet Dreams and pick up donuts to take with us.”

As I sat up and swung my legs off the bed, Gabe madea final lunge for me, wrapping his arm around me. I swatted him away and scampered to the bathroom, smiling the whole way.

An hour later, we drove down the main road toward Dove Key. Gabe was behind the wheel of a Calypso Key Resort pickup truck, I was buckled into the passenger seat, and Hailey sat in her booster seat behind me in the extended cab. The bed of the truck was filled with snorkeling gear, a large cooler, blankets, and other miscellany we might need for our beach adventure.

Gabe took a left on Main Street and glanced in the rearview mirror. “Settle down back there. I don’t want you squirming out of your seat belt.”

Hailey laughed. “I won’t! But I’m excited about finally getting to see Sweet Dreams in person! Uncle Evan has been bringing their donuts in every week—I’m kind of addicted.”

Gabe smirked. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that. Still not sure why he won’t get the pastries our own chef makes.”

“Because they aren’t as good!” Hailey leaned forward. “Do you really know the owner, April?”

“Yeah. She moved down here to open the shop. I’m glad it’s a success.”

Gabe parked in a slanted stall near the store and Hailey skipped in front of us as we headed toward the bakery. She darted in the door ahead of us and Gabe caught the glass entry before it closed, waving me ahead.

Delicious aromas of cinnamon, fresh dough, and sweet confections filled the air, and I couldn’t resist a deep lungful. Hailey was already at the glass counter, peering at the pastries inside.

“What would you like, honey?” Liv asked her from behind the counter.

“Do you have a chocolate-frosted glazed with peanuts on top?”

“I sure do,” the baker replied as she bent down and slid open the door. When she popped back up, I stood next to Hailey with Gabe resting his hands on her narrow shoulders. Liv saw me and smiled. “April!”

“Hi, Liv. We came by for a little treat.”

Liv had a mop of long, curly brown hair that was currently wrangled back with a hairband. She was slightly plump, and her friendly personality made her perfect for her chosen line of work. “You’re in the right place then!” Her eyes drifted back to Hailey, then widened when she saw Gabe behind her.

“This is Hailey and her father Gabe,” I said.

Recovering quickly, Liv nodded at Hailey as she slid the donut into a white paper sack. “Pleased to meet you. And you too,” she said to Gabe.

“Can I have two, Dad?”

Gabe frowned. “You don’t need two.”

Liv arched a brow. “Need has nothing to do with donuts, now does it?”

He smiled. “Okay. I know when I’m beaten.”

After a maple bar joined the first donut in the bag, Liv bounced her eyes between Gabe and me. “And what will you two have?”

“Apple fritter,” we said in exact unison.

Both of us laughed as Liv slid the tray of apple fritters out and selected two. I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised we liked the same donuts.

“We’re spending the day at the beach,” Hailey informed her. “April’s going to take us snorkeling.”

“Well, you should have a great time then. You’re in the hands of an expert.” Liv folded the top of the bag over and handed it to me.

Gabe took his wallet out of his back pocket. “How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing,” Liv said with a smile. “I couldn’t charge such a pretty young girl. Or you two, either.”

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