Going Under (Wildfire Lake 2)

“No way. You’re going to be shelling out for four air fares every time you travel. I’ve got it.”

I realize I’ve never had a woman in my life who could not only stand on her own financially, but could shoulder even more, all for the opportunity to spend more time with me and the girls. And I have an idea of how big a change this is for her too, being willing to alter the biggest purchase of her life to suit us after we’ve known each other such a short time. She gives me the feeling that she’s invested in not just me, but all of us.

I lean in and kiss her. “How did I get lucky enough to cross your path?”

She grins. “I’m feeling just as lucky.”

17

KT

“Grab the micro vacuum from the shop,” I tell Violet. “You can clean out this compartment, then use the Grease Monkey Wipes to make it shine.”

She bounces from her knees to her feet like I told her there was a piñata spilling candy in the shop. “Okay.”

Violet runs past Chloe as she approaches. “Hi, Chloe.”

Chloe ruffles her hair for a split second before Violet’s gone. “That kid’s got enthusiasm to spare.”

I stand, smiling. “She sure does.”

“Did you tell her about the sailing lessons yet?” Chloe asks.

I shake my head. “Ben’s been so tired when he gets home. I’ll let him tell her when he’s ready.”

“Why has he been working so much?” Chloe asks. “You’ve had the kids four out of the last five days.”

And the only reason I didn’t have them today is because he finally got a new, older, more responsible nanny who started today.

“Staffing problems, but he’ll have several days off in a row soon.”

“Is this your night off, then?” Chloe says. “We should go out.”

I nod, even though I’m going to miss having Poppy and Violet try to teach me how to cook, always an entertaining experience. I wish I could spend the night with Ben, because even though I’ve seen him and had dinner with him, we’ve barely been able to steal a few kisses with the girls underfoot. A couple of days ago, I went over after the girls had gone to bed for a little private time with Ben, only to find he’d passed out on the sofa.

“That sounds nice,” I say. “Is Laiyla free?”

“Pffft, she lives with Levi now. She should be able to spare us an evening.”

My cell rings, and I’m hoping it’s Ben, but I don’t recognize the number, which isn’t uncommon.

“I’ll catch Laiyla and text you,” Chloe says.

“Perfect.” I answer my phone as Violet comes back out and Chloe moves down the dock. “Hello?”

A string of foreign language fills the line. It’s a man, and I catch just enough of the language to realize it’s Puerto Rican Spanish, but that doesn’t tell me who it is.

“Whoa,” I say with a laugh, wandering away from Violet so the sound of the vacuum doesn’t interfere with the call. “Slow down there, buddy. My Puerto Rican is rusty.”

“¡Chacho!” he says. That one, I remember. Oh, boy. “It’s Jaime, mami. I should be offended you don’t recognize my voice.”

I laugh. Jaime is an old friend, a crew bum who’s sailed around the world multiple times captaining ships of all kinds, usually for billionaires. His father is a shipping magnate. Jaime was born on the water and swears he’ll die on the water. He tells stories of captaining sailboats from the age of five, which I’m well aware is an exaggeration, but I’d bet not too much of one.

“¡Ay bendito, acho!” I say, wondering what brain crevice that little Puerto Rican Spanish came from. “I haven’t talked to you in forever. How are you?”

“I’m amazing.” His self-confidence is still fifty miles high.

“Of course, you are. Where are you?”