Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“This is Queen Beatrice,” I introduce and then look up just in time to see Xavier walking down the dock. I think about not introducing them, but then my father is going to ask me why I spoke to the dog and not the human who owns the dog. Then I’m going to have to tell him that he’s a jerkface, and well, it’ll just spiral from there.
“Hi,” I say to Xavier, who looks at me and then my father. “Dad,” I say to my father, “this is my boat neighbor, Xavier, and Xavier, my father, Matthew.”
He looks at my dad and I can tell that his face is a bit pale, as my father reaches out to shake his hand. I’m waiting for Xavier to reach out and he does, but it’s a quick handshake. “Hello.”
“Is that your boat?” my father asks Xavier, who nods his head again and I just stare at him.
“It is,” he finally says. “Got her two years ago.”
“Nice,” my dad compliments. “Have you been at this dock for long?”
“About the same time as I bought the boat,” he shares, and I can see he’s uncomfortable. He heads to his boat.
“Let me ask you,” my father says, and he stops walking, looking back at him. “How is the crime rate here?”
I groan, making Beatrice bark at my dad. “Yeah, tell him it’s none of his business.” I rub Beatrice’s neck.
“I’m just asking,” my father defends. “You’re a single woman, living on a boat in the middle of nowhere.” He puts his hands on his hips.
“Wow, I could not feel any more desperate than I do right now,” I retort. “Dad, you couldn’t even get into the gate. I’m safe.” I ignore him and step on the boat, Beatrice following me.
“Beatrice.” Xavier snaps her name. “Let’s go.” He motions with his head, and Beatrice looks at me and then back at Xavier, not sure she wants to go.
“I feel you on a whole different level,” I mumble to Beatrice, who jumps off my boat and walks over to Xavier with her head down.
“Did I see a dog?” Cooper says, coming outside.
“My neighbor’s dog.” I point at Xavier, who just puts up his hand.
“You should get a dog,” Cooper suggests and I shake my head.
“I don’t have time for a dog,” I tell him, shaking my head. “Dad, get over here and leave my neighbor alone,” I hiss, walking into the boat.
Stepping inside, I see that Erika, Julia, and Franny are standing in the galley, while Chase and Wilson sit at the table watching television. “Where is your father?” my mother asks as she sticks her head out of my bedroom.
“I’m right here,” he announces, walking in. “I was scoping out the neighborhood.”
“It’s crowded in here,” Franny says. “Babe, come, let’s go check the upstairs.” She winks at him and he gets off the chair and they walk to the door.
“Do not have sex on my sun pads,” I grit between clenched teeth.
“She didn’t say anything about the captain’s chair,” Franny says, laughing, walking out of the galley.
“They aren’t going to have sex, right?” I ask Chase, who just shrugs.
My father laughs. “They aren’t going to have sex. We are right here, and it’s daylight.” He puts his hands on his hips before picking up his baseball hat and scratching his head. “Julia,” he says. “Can you please go upstairs and tell them they are not allowed to have sex on this boat.”
“I’ll come with,” Chase declares. “We can cuddle on the sun pads.” He looks at me. “Cuddling is allowed, right?”
“As long as you are dressed, yes,” I tell them, and Cooper and Erika go with them.
“What do you know about your neighbor?” my father asks me when Cooper closes the door.
“Matthew,” my mother scolds, shaking her head. “Don’t start, please.”
“I’m not starting anything, Karrie.” He shakes his head. “I’m just asking.”
“I don’t know anything about him,” I admit. “I know he has a dog, and two days ago, he helped me tie my boat.”
“He looks familiar,” my father says, and I roll my eyes. “I’ve seen him before.”
“You say that all the time. Literally, each time we go somewhere you think you know someone.”
“And I usually do,” he says, walking to the back door and I see Xavier get on the dock. “I know him or I’ve met him.”
“Or you’ve seen him on America’s Most Wanted.” My mother laughs. “Or Dateline. Or 48 Hours, or…”
The sound of Xavier’s boat fills mine as he starts it. I look out, seeing him untie the lines before walking over and disconnecting the water and electricity. “I don’t recognize him,” my mother says, standing beside my father. “I mean, he looks nice.”
“He isn’t,” I mumble, and my father turns back to look at me. “He is.” I shake my head. “So what is in the bag?” I try to change the subject. “We should set up something for breakfast and eat outside.”