Gail Keck
*gif of Daisy Duke with a big not symbol over her face*
Chloe Jarrett
Can we keep these women busy while Operation Ghosts of Kendra’s Past takes place?
Bolt Jarrett
I’m on it, my love.
Chloe Jarrett
Good. Then you can be on me later.
Thorn Pryor has left the chat.
Joy Maddux has left the chat.
Bolt Jarrett
Amateurs.
Now that they’re gone, let’s talk about the actual plan.
Chapter 10
Captain Kendra’s Log: Investigate out-of-control weed at the docks
There are abouttwo weeks a year in the fall when the weather in Florida is perfect. The temperature is in the 70s, the humidity is non-existent, and the sun shines in crystal blue skies. I usually love this time of year, but it made me sick today.
I felt like one of those cranky old ladies who lived in a haunted house and stole balls that kids kicked into her yard.
Wait.
That sounded bad.
Ugh. I couldn’t even wallow right.
As I stood on my houseboat deck, the lukewarm cup of decaf coffee in my hand did little to calm the flurry of emotions inside me. The bitterness of the cold liquid mirrored the ache in my chest. The houseboat—once a place of comfort—now seemed to mock me. A few clouds cast a shadow on the deck, matching my crappy mood.
Then, as if on cue, sunlight peeked through the clouds and lit up the love of my life, striding down the dock with an air of effortless charm. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him – the one person who never failed to make my world light up with joy. His presence alone seemed to still the surrounding chaos, drawing my focus entirely to him.
Even from a distance, I marveled at his appearance. He looked more handsome than ever, wearing a casual golf shirt and shorts. His dark, slightly tousled hair framed his dark complexion in a way that made my heart flutter. When his mesmerizing blue eyes met mine, time seemed to stand still. At that moment, I was again thrust into memories of our last night together and the regret seeping into my pores.
As he drew nearer, my heart swelled, leaving me breathless. This was a moment I had longed for, and as I gazed into his eyes, every emotion I felt for him was magnified.
“Ken!” Jesse shouted, waving his long arm in the air at me.
I raised my hand in a weak return wave. “Barbie!”
“Excuse me, excuse me,” he muttered to the people in front of him on the dock as he made his way toward my boat slip. He hopped over a cooler on wheels, dodged a baby stroller, and stopped to help a little old lady climb painstakingly slow aboard a nearby boat.
Where were all these people coming from? And where were they going?I shook my head. This is what happens when you’re wallowing in self-pity. You miss tourist season.
Jesse was out of breath when he reached the side of my boat. “Captain Kendra. Permission to come aboard?”
My breath left me. I dreamed of the moment when we were actually in the same space at the same time. I thought a million times about what I would say. The pithy remarks. The glorious inside jokes. But on this day, all I could manage was, “‘Sup?” I mentally cringed. “Yeah. Come on.”
