The sun wasn’t setting for another two hours.
Will and Jonathon looked at each other, and then Will slowly looked at me.
Will smiled and took my hands in his. “I have a surprise for you, sweetheart.”
Will
I watched as Lex’s face lit up. She loved surprises, and I knew the moment I said it, she would get excited.
“Oh, yeah? Are we swimming with the dolphins? I thought that was illegal!” She began clapping her hands.
I wasn’t sure if she was excited at the idea of swimming with dolphins or doing something illegal.
I stared at her for a moment and chuckled. “No, Jonathon is taking us to a private island—St. Joseph’s.”
Recognition hit Lex’s face. “Mr. Shelton’s ranch?”
I nodded. “Yep. We’re gonna watch the sunset from there.”
Lex slowly smiled. “I used to love going over there when I was little. Do you know how many sand dollars Colt and I used to find there?”
Jonathon laughed. “The untouched beaches of the island make it beautiful.”
Lex looked around. “Well, darn it. Let me use the restroom before we get there, or I’ll be peeing in the ocean!”
I watched as Lex retreated down into the cabin.
I spun around and looked at Jonathon. “Did you do all of that with the flowers?”
He smiled and nodded his head. “She was hoping y’all were alone, wasn’t she?”
“Yes, and so in the hell was I.”
Jonathon threw his head back and laughed hysterically. “Her daddy wouldn’t like that response. He was the one who told me to do it.”
My mouth dropped open. “Gunner did?”
Jonathon nodded his head. “Yes, sir, he did. Told me to fill the cabin with flowers. Stupid romantic bastard.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “That he is, but he sure does teach me the right way to treat his daughter.”
Jonathon rubbed his thumb and index finger back and forth across his chin like he was thinking. “I can imagine. The key is to always put them first, son. I’ve been married for almost thirty years. My wife comes first and foremost. She is my life.”
Nodding my head, I said, “Yes, sir.”
“Oh my gosh, there it is!” Lex shouted as she popped up out of the cabin. “I haven’t been on that island in so long. Oh, Will, I wish you could see Mr. Shelton’s home. It’s breathtaking. I haven’t seen it since I was eleven, I think. The last hurricane did some damage to it, but that thing was built to last.”
I just grinned and pulled her next to me.
Jonathon gave me a wink as he made his way over to the private dock. “That’s Kip, Mr. Shelton’s ranch hand. He’ll be taking care of y’all while I hang out here.”
Reaching out to shake Jonathon’s hand, I said, “Sounds good. Thank you so much, Jonathon.”
Lex shook his hand next and said, “Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to the trip back at night.”
“Will and Alex? I’m Kip,” he said as he helped Lex out off the yacht.
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Lex looked around.