by Lucinda Race
“Where are Johnny and George?”
“We’re picking them up on the way.”
She could feel herself relax, just a little. “Good. And thanks, Jack, for getting the life jacket too.”
“It wasn’t a big deal. I picked one up at the marina.”
Owen came running down the hall, wiping his wet hands across the front of his tee. “Hey, Jack, I’m ready to go on the boat.” He grinned. “Mom, can we go now?”
Jack pointed to his feet. “Hold on, sport. You need to put on a pair of sneakers first, or water shoes if you have them.”
He held up a finger. “Be right back.”
Jack asked, “Does it always take this long to get out the door?”
She shook her head. “You have no idea.”
Owen hopped into the doorway. “Okay, now I’m really, really ready.” He stuck a foot out to show off his water shoes. “Ta-da.”
He took the bag from Jack and slung it over his shoulder like a peddler, almost losing his balance before he zipped to the door. “Come on.”
“We’re right behind you.” Peyton took one last look around the room and picked up her purse.
He touched her arm again. “You’re not worried about today, are you?”
She gave him a sidelong look. “Boys, a boat, and water.” She threw up her hands. “What’s to be worried about?”
As he opened the screen door, he said, “I’ve planned a little safety overview when we get out there and before we leave the dock.”
With a small grin, she said, “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
He laid his hand across his chest in mock fear. “I’ve done the kids and boat thing before. Do I need eyes in the back of my head?”
“Stop teasing me, Price, and let’s hit the road.”
* * *
True to his word, Jack buckled the life vest on Owen, and checked Johnny and George to make sure the jackets were snug enough as soon as they got out of the truck.
“Uncle Jack,” Johnny said, “I don’t wanna wear a vest today. Can’t we skip ’em?”
He wasn’t prepared for the test of wills with the boys. “No vest, no boat.” Finally the kids relented.
“Mom, I’m not a baby,” Owen protested as she tried to hold his hand down the dock. “And not in front of Johnny and George. No one is holding their hands.”
She bent down to look him square in the eye. “No running. Got it?”
“Yes.” Owen beamed as he carried the bag down the dock and joined the boys, who stood next to Jack’s boat.
Owen’s eyes were wide as he took in the silver metal rails and navy-blue stripes of the bowrider. “Is this really yours? It’s huge.” He cocked his head and scrunched up his face. “Why does it say…Just JP?”
Jack nodded. “They’re my initials: JP for Jackson Price. Lots of people name their boats. Do you like it?”
“More than anything.” Owen looked at his mom. “Can we get a boat like this?”
Before she could answer, Jack placed his hand on Owen’s shoulder. “Tell you what. You can come with me on my boat anytime you want, just like Johnny and George do.”
“I can?” He looked at Peyton with his brown eyes as big as saucers. “Did ya hear that? We can go on the boat all the time.”
Peyton placed a firm but gentle hand on her son’s arm. “Owen, you can go only when you’re invited.”
“But Mommy, Jack said…” He looked at his mom and then Jack. His face fell. “Sorry.”
Not wanting to step on toes, Jack said, “Don’t worry, Owen. We’re going to have plenty of time this summer to go on the boat and fish.”
The dock rocked in the wake of a large boat as it passed by. The kids laughed and Owen pretended to surf with the rise and fall of the dock. Peyton reached for him, but Jack held out a hand and touched hers. “They’re fine.”
He pumped his hand down to the other boat. “But they should be crawling.”
“Whoa!” the boys exclaimed with a laugh. “That was fun.”
“Ready to climb aboard?”
His nephews scrambled on, but Owen looked at the space between the dock and the boat as another boat passed. The wake had the boat and dock bobbing out of sync. He looked at Jack, his mom, and then Jack again. “How do I get on?”
Jack put one foot on the swim platform and the other on the dock. He held out his hand to Owen. “Take my hand and step. Don’t worry; I won’t let you fall.”
Owen looked up with trusting eyes. “Promise?”
“You have my word.”
Owen leaped before Jack was ready, but he took a big step and it was so effortless, there wasn’t any issue. Jack tucked the cooler on the boat and Peyton handed him the last bag.
“We have a lot of stuff for a couple hours.” She slipped her sunglasses on.
“Better to be prepared and not need something than need it and not have it.” He offered her his outstretched hand.
She laughed. “You remember that famous three-hour tour? Those people were marooned on the desert island for three television seasons.”
“Good thing we’re only on a lake, but being marooned with you on an island isn’t a bad idea, especially since you have enough stuff to last days.”
Without saying a word, she lowered her glasses and looked at him over the lenses. She took his hand even though she had been on and off boats all her life. His touch sent a zing through her body. She stepped on the platform and onto the dark-blue indoor/outdoor carpeting that covered the deck. The matching blue canvas was up to offer protection from the bright afternoon sun. “What can I do to help?”
He pointed to the cooler and bag. “Can you stow them under the canvas?”
* * *
As she was arranging things, Jack called for the boys to join him next to the captain’s chair. He gave them a stern look. “A couple of simple rules.” Owen started to groan and George rolled his eyes, but Jack said, in a firm but gentle voice, “Everyone has to follow the rules. Mom too.”
“Even you?”
“Yes, even me.”
Owen nodded. “Okay.”
“There’s no running across the deck of the boat. Never take your life jacket off, and if I ask you to sit down, I need for you to do it without question.”
Looking up at Jack, Owen said, “I’ll be good, Jack.” He held out his small hand.
Jack wanted to chuckle, but Owen was so serious, he gave the boy’s hand a shake. “One final rule of the afternoon.”
The three boys looked at him, crestfallen.
“Let’s have lots of fun.”
Owen’s face split into a huge grin. “You got it, Jack!” He turned to his mom. “Did you hear that, Mom? Jack said we’re gonna have lots of fun.” He gave Jack a high five before he sat on one of the bench seats with his friends.
Jack looked at Peyton. Had he overstepped talking to her son? “Ready to cast off?”
“Just give the word and I’ll take care of the lines.” She looked so pretty standing on his boat. The sun gave her dark hair a golden glow. She had a hat ready to plop on her head.
He noticed there was a streak of lotion on her forehead so he reached out and smoothed it away. “You missed a spot.”
Peyton relaxed as Jack towed the boys on a huge tube behind the boat. He was careful not to toss them into the water. She even took a turn despite the water still being a little chilly.
When they were done tubing, Jack secured the tube onto the boat’s swim platform. She was surprised and pleased he had jumped right in to share the chores with Owen; he really was good with the kids.
Peyton said, “Jack, I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”
The boys sat cross-legged on the deck while they ate a light dinner. Jack and Peyton sat on the bench seats. When he was done eating, Owen held up a wriggling worm. Each time he tried to wrap it around the metal hook, it would curl in the opposite direction. “Mom, will you help me?”
“After I finish my s
andwich.” She gave Jack a pointed look. She did not do worms.
“Owen, after we finish eating, would you like to help me drive the boat to my secret fishing spot?”
Worm forgotten, Owen’s eyes lit up. “Can I?”
“Sure, and Johnny and George will have turns too.”
Over Owen’s head, Peyton mouthed thank you. Jack gave her a mischievous wink.
When they were done, she cleaned up the dinner containers and stored them in the cooler.
Jack waved Owen over. He plopped the boy in his lap on the captain’s seat. “Peyton, care to take the co-captain spot and the boys can sit close to you?”
She eased back in the comfortable seat to enjoy the view while she kept a close eye on the other boys. Owen was first to drive. They both had blond hair, dimples, and a square jawline. After spending time together, Owen had picked up on some of Jack’s mannerisms. Even the way Owen looked at Jack held the same intensity that Jack gave to everything he did. The sight of them together tugged at her heart and she wished he were Jack’s son. He was a good man and she was happy their friendship was less complicated than when he first came back to town, and Owen certainly had a big case of hero worship.
Jack looked at Owen. “Are you ready to get underway?”
He grinned at Jack. “Can I hold the wheel?”
Jack placed Owen’s hands at approximately four and eight, then placed one hand on top of Owen’s and the other on the throttle. They worked together, driving the boat. Jack had endless patience with all of Owen’s questions. As Jack pointed to where they were headed, Owen remained quiet, taking in each detail and nodding like he was understanding every subtlety of the process of navigating the lake.
The boat skimmed across the open water. The wind caught the edge of Owen’s baseball cap, but before she could reach it, Jack grabbed it in one smooth movement and tucked it alongside his leg in the seat. Her boy was oblivious and clenched the steering wheel with all his might. The grin that split his cute face melted her heart.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and snapped a few pics. She couldn’t wait to share them with Kate, and then she did selfies with Johnny and George. Today was too much fun to not capture it all.
As if he sensed her thoughts, Jack flashed her a grin and his head bobbed in Owen’s direction. She gave him a thumbs-up. The only downside was that Owen was going to expect to drive the boat again, and soon.
6
“Hey, Kate,” Peyton called through the open French door into the bistro. “Are you up for a glass of wine after we close today?”
Kate smiled at her from across the room. “I’ll have a seltzer and hang out for a bit. I don’t have to get back home until six. Nanny Jessie has everything under control.”
Peyton gave her a thumbs-up and Kate winked. She couldn’t wait to tell Kate about the fishing adventure with Jack and the boys.
Weekends were always busy at the winery, especially when tourist season was in full swing. Kay-Dee’s had been a hit since the grand opening and customers were raving about the new menu this year.
Peyton had been skeptical the bistro would have helped sales all that much, but people wandered from the dining room to the tasting room and vice versa. And when the bistro was open on Friday through Sunday, sales soared by at least another twenty-five percent, even on a slow day.
Peyton turned her attention to the group of customers who needed her expertise. She lined up tastings and sold cases of wine with ease. Her assistant, Tony, was a huge help on the weekends while he was in college, and this summer, he was coming back full-time for his third year working at CLW. He hurried about, carrying cases of wine out to customers’ cars, always with a smile. Today was definitely shaping up to be one of the extra-busy days.
* * *
Jack leaned against the doorjamb, his arms folded across his chest, and watched as Peyton smiled and chatted up customers. He loved watching her work, but he didn’t want to get caught looking like some lovesick teenager.
She poured wine and explained what was special and different about each variety, right down to giving suggestions on what to serve with each. Invariably, she knew just what to do or say so that each customer left happy, toting bottles of wines and with a promise they’d return when they were in the area again.
She looked toward the back of the bar and then walked the full length, scanning under the counter. She was obviously looking for something that wasn’t there. He crossed the room before she could catch Tony’s eye. And then her gaze settled on him.
She smiled. “Hey there. Weren’t you supposed to have the day off?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t have much going on so I thought I’d stop in.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “In that case, can you watch the bar? I seem to be out of Chardonnay.”
“How much do you need?”
“Two cases—it’s selling well. Kate’s serving an Indian platter and it pairs perfectly with it.”
He pulled a set of keys from his jeans and sorted through them until he held one up. “I’ve got a key and will be right back.”
“Thanks.” She turned her attention back to her customers.
Peyton was too busy to talk when Jack returned. He ended up pitching in, getting additional stock and helping people carry case after case of wine out the door. They made a good team. When the clock finally approached four, things slowed. The bistro closed at three, which was a good way to thin the crowds who had been enjoying themselves in the air-conditioned room. Peyton locked the door after the final two customers left. She sagged against the bar and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
Speaking to no one in particular, she sighed. “What a day.”
Still full of energy, Tony grabbed the cleaner and paper towels and repeated the process of wiping down all the tables and chairs.
She held out a hand and wriggled her fingers in his direction. “I’ll help.”
Tony shook his head with a laugh. “Did you look behind the bar? The shelves are empty. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
She pushed herself to a standing position as Jack leaned at the other end of the bar. He gave her a crooked grin. “You’re a fantastic salesperson. Ever think about hitting the road? I’m sure Don would be happy to have you on the sales team.”
She loaded dirty glasses in the dishwasher rack. “No. I love being here. The interaction with the customers and watching their faces as they try a wine, fall in love, and then make the purchase. That’s what makes me happy.”
“Too bad. You’d clean up in commissions.”
She glanced his way and her brow arched. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all. Just stating the truth.” He eased open the refrigerator and pulled out a half-gallon jug of water. “I’m pouring—who wants a glass?”
Both Peyton and Tony stuck a hand in the air. Jack poured three large glasses and handed one to her. Tony grabbed his and went back to cleaning tables.
“Oh, that is refreshing.” She wiped her lips with her hand. “Thanks!”
Setting the half-empty glass on the bar, she started checking bottles for what needed to be recorked, what was empty or unopened. She worked silently and efficiently. Without having to ask, Jack took cases of empty bottles out back.
When she had tallied up her inventory, she had a long list of items to backfill. “Tony,” she called, “I’m going to restock—can you wash down the floor behind the bar?”
“Sure thing.”
She grabbed the keys from the hook underneath the bar. Jack was coming back from the recycling room. “Care to lend some muscle?”
“I thought you would never ask.” The gleam in his eyes indicated he had more than work on his mind.
Without a second thought, she admonished, “It’s time to work, mister.”
His laughter followed her as she left the room. She could feel his eyes on her back and she smiled to herself.
He said, “This could be fun. You and me in a closet.�
�
She frowned.
“Pey, I’m sorry. I was teasing.”
The moment fractured. A closet? Did she want to be in a small space with Jack? Would he think she was weird if she asked to stay close to the door while he helped get the wine?
“I know.” Flustered, she ran her hand over her hair. “I need to finish up. I’m having a cool drink with Kate when I’m done.”
She watched as a flash of disappointment flitted across his face. “I was hoping we could grab a bite to eat.”
“Some other time? I promised Owen we’d have a fire tonight and cook s’mores.”
He asked, “Would it be presumptuous for me to invite myself over, just as an old friend?”
“Probably.” She softened. “But I was thinking of asking you to join us.”
“I can pick up pizza for everyone.”
“It’s just me and the kiddo. Mom and Dad are going to a friend’s house after I get home.” She glanced at her watch.
He took the inventory list from her hand. “You go and relax with Kate. I’ll finish up.”
She protested, “I can’t let you finish my work.”
“You didn’t ask. I volunteered.” He turned her toward the door. “Go and enjoy your time with my sweet sister-in-law and I will see you at six thirty with pizza.”
Peyton allowed herself to be propelled out the door. Over her shoulder, she called, “Half cheese, half special.”
He grinned. “You got it.”
Peyton gave him a broad wave and a smile as she disappeared around the corner with a quick stop at the bar to pour one glass of wine and a glass of seltzer.
* * *
Jack couldn’t help but grin as he carefully stowed another case of wine on the dolly. He was glad Kate and Peyton were friends. It was good for both of them. After consulting the list, he realized it would take more than one trip to backfill the bar. She really was an outstanding salesperson. He had to wonder if Don knew about her sales prowess. She needed a raise or a commission or both.
After making two more trips, he locked the storage room, did one last sweep of the tasting room, and said goodbye to Tony as he headed out the side door. Jack had snapped off the overhead lights when Don came strolling in.
