“Oh yeah?” I ask, untying my apron and hanging it on the peg where it goes. “What are the consequences?”
“I will fart on you. In your sleep. Mouth open.”
“What the hell?” My nose wrinkles.
“Oh yeah, and I will absolutely eat something that makes them horrible,” he says. “Cheese? You bet. Milk? I’ll figure out a way to get it.”
“You wouldn’t,” I tell him.
“I would,” he says.
“Come on,” I finally tell him, giving up on arguing with the dog.
He follows me out the back door, and I lock it, knowing he’s right. I am absolutely stalling.
We set out for the beach and Watchmere Light.
Gunner’s panting by the time we get to the old lighthouse, and my hair whips around my face in the wind that smells like rain. Lightning forks across the sky, still distant enough that it’s a few minutes before we hear the roll of thunder.
Caleb’s truck isn’t in its usual spot. A pang goes through me at his absence, like a phantom limb, and I wonder how hard it will be if he leaves again.
No sooner have I thought it than an engine sounds, and gravel crunches under his tires as he rolls up.
I let myself stare as he gets out of the car.
A little ogling, as a treat.
“Where’ve you been?” I ask him by way of greeting. “The cake shop?” I smack his butt, and he grunts in surprise before laughing.
“Is that how you say hello?” he says.
He wraps me in his arms and gives me a long kiss.
“I was putting out orange cones and roping off the section of the beach. I figured you four wouldn’t want anybody wandering down here.”
I point to the ominous clouds in the sky. “I don’t think anyone was going to come out tonight anyway,” I say.
He follows my finger with his eyes. “Better safe than sorry.”
“Thank you.” I squeeze his side. “I should’ve led with that,” I admit.
“You should’ve,” he agrees. “But who am I if I’m not gonna use my coastal conservation gear for my personal gain? Also, I liked the ass smack. For the record.”
“Noted.” I pause. “And it’s for the whole town, not just for you.”
He gives me a long look that’s full of heat in a way that makes my stomach clench. “Yeah, but I get to reap a much more fun reward than they do.” He gives me another peck on the lips, and then he smacks my butt right back.
I dance away, laughing. “If you play your cards right,” I say, but the words come out stilted.
Caleb frowns, and I settle back in his arms. Seabirds call to each other overhead, and I lean into him, listening to the rush of waves on the shore.
He rubs between my shoulder blades gently. “I know you’re scared, but I’m not going anywhere.”
“Okay,” I say. If he wants to live in this fantasy for a little while longer, there’s no harm in that. The only true test will be how he reacts when we are done setting the ward.
A second later, my sisters drive up and pour out of the car like a three-ring circus, full of chaos. Fig flutters over Rose’s head, Oatmeal skitters like a long white noodle across the ground behind Posey, and to my surprise, a very fat raccoon climbs out of the car behind Hazel.
“Gang’s all here,” Caleb whisper conspiratorially. He squeezes my hip.
