Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“You two look like you’re having an intense conversation,” Adelaide said.
“Mason’s car wouldn’t start, so I drove Charlie to school and Mason to work.” Palmer turned to me. “Do you need me to pick you up later?”
I was positive Adelaide would have offered me a ride home, but I found myself saying, “If you wouldn’t mind.”
“Not at all. I better get going; I’m volunteering at the pet shelter this morning before I head out to walk the pups.”
A part of me wished she would give up that job, since it was freezing outside. But Palmer seemed to like it, so who was I to say anything?
“Have a good day, Palmer,” I said. “Thanks again.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome. Have a good one.”
As Adelaide and I walked around to the side door of the historical Colonial house where my medical office was, I could feel Palmer’s eyes on me. With one quick glance over my shoulder, I confirmed my suspicion.
“Be careful there, Mason, making those googly eyes at Palmer,” Adelaide warned with a hint of teasing in her voice. “Tomorrow is Thursday, and you know what that means.”
I groaned. The gossip column.
Palmer
It had been two weeks since I’d started to nanny for Charlie, and the Seaside gossip column hadn’t mentioned me or Mason once. I wasn’t sure if I should be overjoyed—or worried that she was saving up for something big.
Pacing back and forth in my living room, I stopped and glanced out the window. A big truck was parked in the driveway, and a few men were making quick time moving Mason and Charlie into the main house.
I turned away from the window. I had told Mason I would help him get organized and unpacked. He’d even offered to pay me. That had hit me hard in the gut. Maybe that meant he had moved on from the attraction between us and it really was all business now.
I should have been glad. No, I was glad. It was hard enough to fight that insane pull to him when he’d been sweet and flirty. Now that he was keeping it strictly business, it was easier not to picture him naked every time I saw him.
Sighing, I dropped onto the sofa and glanced down at this week’s gossip column.
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLES
December 15, 2022
FROM THE DOCKS
Seasiders,
The holidays are almost here and I, for one, am excited about all the upcoming activities planned. One of the main events here in town is the Seaside Noel Boat Parade, which our very own Princess of Seaside, Harlee Tilson, organizes. Harlee is also in charge of the Christmas Carol Stroll through downtown and some of the historical homes off Main. Toy donations will be accepted in order to help give the less fortunate kiddos in Seaside some Christmas gifts. You can either drop your donation in the carolers’ bags, or you can bring it to the Seaside Chronicle’s office. Cash donations are appreciated as well. Let’s make this year’s Children’s Christmas Celebration the best one yet!
In other news, someone please alert Braxton Bradley that his attempts to seek out my identity will fail. I’m a much smarter fish than he.
Fair winds and following seas!
Ms. Seaside
* * *
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face. It was true, Brax had been asking around in an attempt to find out who Ms. Seaside was. It appeared she really did know everything that happened in our town.
It was nice to see her use her column for a bit of good, even if she had taken another jab at a Bradley in the process.
A sudden knock on the door nearly made me scream. I cleared my throat and headed over, fully expecting to see Mason on the other side.
“Hey, I was just—” I shut my mouth and stared at my past standing in front of me, looking as handsome as ever. “Deacon?”
A wide smile erupted on his face as he took a step forward and kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful as always, Palmer.”
I was pretty sure I had a stunned expression on my face. I hadn’t seen Deacon in almost five years.
“When…when did you, um…are you still…”
He laughed and glanced past my shoulder. “May I come in?”
My eyes darted toward the driveway before I looked back at him. “Of course, sorry, come on in.” I opened the door and moved to the side so that he could enter.
“You’re a hard person to track down, Palmer.”
Frowning, I shut the door and walked toward him. “All you had to do was stop by the restaurant. Let’s cut to the chase—why are you here?”
“I’m back.”
His words caused a sinking feeling in my stomach, like someone had dropped a brick in it. “You’re back? You mean you’re out of the Marines?”
He nodded and smiled that wickedly sexy smile of his that used to get me all tingly. Not anymore.