Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“What?” I asked.
“You haven’t seen her yet. How have you not seen her yet?”
I laughed. “Dude, she only got home yesterday. I’ll see her. And I’m not surprised she moved back. I figured she would after having lunch with her a few months back when Keegan had his heart attack. She said the time was right to move home. I know it was hard on her that she wasn’t here for her dad and the rest of the family.”
“Yeah, but you’re both single.”
“Dude, you sound like a woman.”
“I’m just saying, I know you’ve been waiting for this for a long time. There’s always been something strong there between the two of you. Can’t your big brother be excited for you? The woman of your dreams has finally moved back home. Are you going to pick up where you left off?”
I shrugged, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, Brody. I’m guessing we’ll take it one day at a time. Let’s also not forget she moved back because she wanted to be near her family and Keegan, not for me.”
Brody frowned. “Sutton said Adelaide had a lot of guilt about not being here when it happened.”
I shook my head. “She shouldn’t feel guilty about that.”
“Agreed. So, when are you going to see her?”
It was clear my brother was excited Adelaide was back in town.
“Does this have anything to do with that stupid Catch of the Season contest?” I asked.
He pretended to look confused.
“Don’t even, Brody. If I start dating Addie again I’m out of the running, which would be fine with me.”
“Didn’t you win that last year?” Chip called out from the dock before he broke into laughter.
Brody shot Chip the middle finger and then focused back on me. “Fine, a part of me would like you to be taken out of the competition. You’re currently in the lead, and that pisses me off.”
I shook my head. “I never thought I’d see the day where you wanted to be titled The Catch of the Season.”
He shrugged.
“Gannon, we need to push off,” Chip called out.
“I need to go, Brody.”
“Like you didn’t love being voted top catch last year!”
With a wave of my hand, I called out, “Talk to you later, bro!”
He smirked, then slowly shook his head and turned to walk up the dock.
I made my way down into the hull of the boat trying not to laugh. It had been kind of cool getting voted Catch of the Season last year by a poll given to the readers of the newspaper. No wonder Brody and Braxton wanted it. I certainly had my fair share of women approaching me after that stupid thing.
But now my Adelaide was back, and the only thing I cared about at this moment was seeing her again.
“Hey, you with me?” Chip called out to me.
With a nod, I lifted my hand and gave him a thumbs up. It was time to push all thoughts of a reunion with Adelaide Bradley from my mind and focus on work…at least for the time being.
“Gannon?”
A female voice caused me to turn to see who’d called my name. It was Barbara Bradley, standing there with a head of cabbage in her hands and a smile on her face.
“Hi, Mrs. Bradley,” I said as I walked up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Stop that. You know better. It’s Barbara. How are you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in so long!”
“I’ve been pretty busy working toward being a full bar pilot. The more boats I bring in and out, the faster I get it.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Ken and Janet must be so proud of you and Brody. Both of you so accomplished. Serving our military and then coming back home and working such dangerous but necessary jobs.”
I felt my cheeks warm slightly. “As always, you’re too sweet. Thank you, though, for your kind words.”
With a wave of her hand, she brushed off that part of the conversation and launched right into a new one. “I want you to come over for dinner.”
“Dinner?” I asked.
“Yes. Adelaide is home now. She came back yesterday.”
A rush of warmth ran through my entire body. “I know. She, um, she texted to let me know she’d gotten back into town safely.”
A wide grin appeared on her face. “Oh, how wonderful!”
“I bet you and Keegan sure are happy to have her home for good.”
Barbara brought her free hand to her chest to cover her heart. “Beyond happy. Thrilled. Over the moon!”
I chuckled. “I’m glad. Well, I’ll let you get back to shopping.”
Reaching for my arm, she said, “You didn’t answer me. We’d love to have you over for dinner tonight.”
My chest squeezed in disappointment. “I really wish I could, but I have plans for this evening. A work meeting I can’t miss.”