Page 54 of Pinch of Love

“But you have made this one of the best days.” I smiled. “Ever.”

“Ever?” He looked shocked. “I mean, the breakfast was fantastic...”

I grinned, interrupting, “It was, but I wasn’t just talking about the food.”

“Oh, yeah?” His eyes filled with mischief. “Then what?”

“You’re really good at conversation.”

“Is that it?”

I shrugged, teasing.

Cash tipped his chin in laughter. “I am a good listener.”

“You are.” I let my hand dangle, and he reached for it, tangling our fingers.

“I know your life is really complicated, Maya.” He turned his head to look at me. “But I’m here however you want me to be. Whether it’s just someone to talk to or someone to make out with... I’m your man.”

I chuckled, nodding. “I appreciate that. It’s hard to find that kind of relationship.”

He kept my hand in his and turned to watch the lake as warmth spread through me.

“Maybe it’s time to go into the lake.” I put my head against the beach chair and let out a sigh. “But if I get a stomachache, you have to promise to give me CPR.”

“For a stomachache?”

“Mmm-hmm.” I squeezed his hand.

“Maya, you have to be the best guest in the history of vacation rentals.”

I chuckled and felt the tension rise in my chest.

It was true. I was merely just a guest in this awesome town. I didn’t live here. I was only vacationing. I’d go back to my life, and Cash would continue his here at Buttercup Lake.

“Thank you. I take pride in that.”

He kept his hand clutched over mine as he stood and lifted me into him. He bent down and whispered in my ear something I couldn’t decipher, but instead of asking him to repeat it, I just let my imagination run wild.

And the next thing I knew, he picked me up and hoisted me over his shoulder as he jogged through the sand.

“Just know I do get scared of things brushing my legs in the lake.”

“Do you need CPR for that, too?” he teased as he got us to the water.

But instead of throwing me into the lake, he slid my body down the front of his, letting my legs slip into the water slowly. When my feet touched the bottom of the sandy lake, I looked into his eyes, seeing something stirring within him.

“I never expected this,” he said softly as the lap of the lake washed against us.

“Me neither, and I’m not even sure whatthisis.” The lifeguard blew a few bleeps on his whistle as a couple of boys were too rowdy about ten feet away from us.

“Do you think Chewie will ever forgive you for not bringing her to the lake?”

The sunlight sprinkled across Cash’s green eyes, leaving golden flecks in their wake. “By all accounts, she hates water, so she should forgive me.”

“How exactly did you wind up with her?”

“She was part of a deal. I wanted a house, but she came with it. Her owner had passed away.”