Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I’d follow him,” Jack replies without hesitation, and obviously liking that answer, Aaron intertwines their fingers.
“Right…so I’m as much to blame as Micah, don’t you see that?”
“I suppose I do.” Jack’s eyes soften. “And now that you’ve got the paperwork squared away…”
“Micah will file them, and a court date will be set.”
Jack squeezes my shoulder. “I’m here for you, brother. Always.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
We continue our hike, making small talk, Jack pausing often to take wildflower photos. By the time we exit the trail, we’re sweating from the exertion and increase in temperature.
I wave as I walk to my car. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”
26
MICAH
I’m out on the pier by myself, and it’s so peaceful. As the sunrise streaks across the sky in striations of orange and pinks, more fishers arrive, but no one disturbs me. It’s an unspoken rule around here this early in the morning. Likely everywhere, so even if I do decide to try out a fishing pier in LA, I might enjoy it just as much. Might.
Is this what you wanted for me, Grandpa?
Why else would you leave me your boat?
I messed up bad, and you knew how much I loved it out here.
I’m out of bait by midmorning, so I pack up my tackle box and carefully lift the cooler containing cod and perch for John’s fish fry. It’s helpful that the fish move to the shallows to forage this time of year. My catch won’t feed the masses, but it’s my own contribution. I might try increasing the donation next excursion on the boat.
I notice Cap’s granddaughter behind the counter as I pass by the shack.
“How’s he doing?” I call from the doorway.
She grimaces. “Progress has been slow.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll keep him in my thoughts.”
Nothing ever stays the same. That hangs heavy in my heart as I leave the pier.
A couple of fishermen passing by chat me up about Cap’s condition. They must recognize me from back in the day, and I’m grateful they only offer their condolences without making any comments about me. Hopefully, they’ve realized I’m no longer that angry kid who did something dumb and almost ruined my grandfather’s reputation.
I clean up at home, then run some errands in town before grabbing lunch at John’s bar.
His face lights up upon seeing me, and I will never get used to that feeling. Of having someone in my life who loves me unconditionally. “Where’ve you been hiding the past couple of days?”
John and I have texted, but I still haven’t told him about my most recent decision.
“Oh, you know…some fishing, working on the boat, then heading to drama club rehearsal.”
His grin widens. “That’s fucking great. Glad you decided to help.”
My face heats from his keen enthusiasm. “I figure why not since I’m here for at least another few weeks.”
“Damn straight.” He knocks his knuckles on the bar top. “Burger and a cider?”
“That would be great.”
By the time he places a burger in front of me, I’m famished, so I down it in a few bites, mindful of the high school’s dismissal time.
“How’s the renovation going?” he asks after he serves another customer a plate of wings.
“Good.” I dab the napkin at my mouth. “Aaron is finishing the second floor, and then he has to do some staging, as he calls it.”
“Bet it’ll look great.”
“No doubt.” I push away my plate and place my card down to pay. “Gotta run.”
He glances at the time. “Rehearsal?”
“Yep. And meeting Rosie afterward.”
That takes him by surprise. “Yeah?”
I nod. “I agreed to write her a letter of recommendation.”
“Cool. Plus, it’ll be nice to catch up.”
“It will.” For some reason, it feels right to maintain that connection to my grandfather. Maybe I’ll even find out something new and interesting. “And before I forget, I caught some fish this morning and stored it in my freezer.”
His gaze snaps to mine. “Thanks. That’ll certainly help if we run out.”
“I can deliver it to the bar, or feel free to stop by anytime.”
Our eyes snag and hold a moment too long for a couple about to divorce, and though I’m excited to help Ms. Hart with the play, it’s becoming increasingly harder to leave John’s company.
“Think you’ll be around if I want to grab that fish from your freezer?”
My stomach warms from his intense gaze. “I’ll make sure of it.”
He gives me that sexy, smirky look that’s reminiscent of when we were kids. It meant alone time and intimacy. “Looking forward to it.”
As I hop in my car and drive toward the high school, a memory surfaces of John and me skipping school to be together junior year.
“I want to show you something,” he says as he leads me to a trail in the foothills behind my grandfather’s home. He’s loaded us up with waters, granola bars, and two blankets, as if we might get lost and need a search party. That thought makes my stomach squirm because I’ve heard stories of people running into bobcats or getting lost out here, some never making it home.