Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1) (22 page)

It was Saturday morning and I woke up in Mason’s embrace. I didn’t want to move a muscle for fear I’d wake him and he’d let go. So instead, I stayed quietly nestled in his arms for how long I didn’t even know. I loved how my body fit perfectly into his. I felt the strength in his arms as he held me tightly. I listened to his steady breaths and felt the rhythm of his heart as he slept. It wasn’t until his finger started gently caressing my arm that I realized he was awake.

I nuzzled deeper into his embrace. “How long have you been up?”

“Probably an hour,” he whispered, his mouth next to my ear.

I giggled. “You’re kidding.”

“No. Why?”

“I thought you were sleeping. I’ve been up for that long too.”

“Nope. I wasn’t sleeping… just enjoying waking up with my redhead.”

“Your redhead, huh?” I teased. “Feeling a little confident, are we?”

“Hopeful more than anything,” he confessed, his arm bringing me in even tighter.

His sweet words ran through me as I thought back to the night before. We’d spent the evening eating a late-night meal consisting of bratwursts, potato salad, and corn chips. Dinner was followed up with all of us sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, and a few feeble attempts were made by the brothers to throw one another into the lake. But the true highlight of the evening was when Mason and I crawled into bed. My body still felt as if I’d been carried away by the clouds, and I knew there was no way to undo the feelings that were growing for Mason, but I was sure that was all part of his plan.

“Should we get up and start checking off that bucket list of yours?” he murmured.

I shook my head and dove under the covers. “I’d like to revise the bucket list with only items that have to do with this bed and you.”

“Now that is what I’ve been waiting to hear,” he growled, diving to find me under the covers, but it was quickly interrupted with a loud thump on the door.

“Rope swing’s all set up and secure,” Ayden yelled through the door. “Just like you asked.”

Mason popped his head out of the covers and shouted. “Great. Perfect timing. So glad you came up to let us know personally.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I threw off the covers and bounded out of bed.

“It’s what I do,” Ayden replied. His footsteps headed back down the stairs.

“Heaven help us if we spend a whole day in bed while we’re supposed to be at a family barbeque. That would be wrong on so many levels.”

“Yet so right.” Mason climbed out of bed and my eyes darted along his lean and muscular body. His broad shoulders and small waist made it impossible to care about the lake rope swing bucket list thing. “I’m gonna go for a quick jog around the lake. Why don’t you grab some breakfast and I’ll meet you outside later?”

“So that’s how…” I stopped myself.

“What?” he asked bemused.

“Nothing. I just thought it had to do with construction.”

“What had to do with construction?” he asked, walking over and sliding his arms over my shoulders.

“You’re relentless,” I whispered, feeling his body against mine.

He swept a tender kiss along the back of my ear and let go. Grabbing a pair of sweats from the drawer right next to me, he smiled and shook his head and slid them on. He walked to the door and pulled it open.

“You’re not going to put a shirt on?” I asked, wishing I could go along for the ride.

“It’d get too hot.” He gave a slight wave and walked into the hall, and I secretly wished I’d taken up running a long time ago.

Instead, I pulled out my swimsuit and walked to the bathroom for my morning shower. It didn’t take long for the water to warm up and I hopped in. In between washing my face and hair, my mind wandered to how much fun I’d been having with not only Mason but his entire family. Sitting around the fire chatting with people who were fast becoming friends made me wonder why in the world I’d leave Washington. There was so little I had to go back to, and really, whatever was back there that I thought I needed could be thrown into ten boxes or less and only a weekend of time

I turned off the water and quickly dried off as I let my mind fantasize about another life. Would it be possible to start over here and would I even be considering it if it weren’t for Mason?

I let out a sigh and grabbed my sunblock off the counter. Rubbing on gobs of lotion was only the beginning of my sun ritual. I pulled my hair up and tied it in a tiny knot on top of my head. It might have resembled “Cindy Lou Who’s” hair from the
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
, but it worked well so I could keep my ears completely coated in the good stuff. No accidentally missing a spot of sunblock for this girl. I’d experienced one too many sunburns in the most awkward of places because of hair or clothing somehow wiping it off. Not this weekend!

I pulled up the swimsuit and found a pair of shorts and an oversized gauze shirt. I smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen and my stomach growled. I glanced in the mirror and decided on no makeup today. It would only wash off anyway in the lake, and either I’d scare him off now or he was in it for the long haul. I shut the door and walked down the stairs where Mason’s mom was whisking eggs in a bowl while Gabby was tending to something in the oven.

“Good morning, honey.” Mason’s mom greeted me with a huge smile as she whisked away, and I immediately felt at ease walking into the kitchen.

“Good morning.” I looked around the kitchen at all the little stations. “Something smells amazing. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You’re the guest of honor,” she replied. “I wouldn’t hear of it. Go have a seat.”

“That’s nice of you to say, but I really can’t sit still. Can I set the table or…”

Mason’s mom gave me a kind smile and nodded. “You can count the stack of paper plates and plastic silverware for us. We’ll probably sit outside on the porch.”

“Perfect and I wanted to tell you thanks again for looking up all the information about my aunt. I still can’t believe it. I sent the letter like you suggested, along with the copy of the will. I hope that’s the last I hear from her.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “You can never predict who will appear after someone passes. I’ve seen all kinds of things when a death occurs, and it can make me question the state of mankind.”

“I can understand that one.”

His mom gave me a quick squeeze. “If you need anything else, anything at all, give me a call, day or night.” She handed me a card. “That has all my numbers on it.”

“Thanks. Hopefully, I won’t have any other long, lost-relatives show up at the door.”

“Well, if you do, hopefully Mason will be there to answer it.” She gave me a wink and I continued counting napkins, forks, and plates when Mason came jogging through the door, his chest glistening from his run. Not exactly the sight I wanted to see while I stood next to his mother.

“Honestly, Mason. Do you never put on a shirt?” his mom chuckled.

“Yeah. Do you ever?” I teased.

“Maybe this was a bad idea, bringing you two together,” Mason laughed. “Gabby can you help me out on this?”

“I don’t choose sides. I just bake.”

“Where’s the food?” Ayden hollered over Mason’s shoulder. “Why are you hanging out shirtless in the doorway?”

I giggled and Mason’s mom smiled, her eyes connecting with mine.

“Do I have time for a shower?” Mason asked.

“Make it quick and you might,” Gabby answered.

“But if you don’t, we’ll start without you so it doesn’t really matter,” Ayden assured him. “It smells delicious. I don’t know how Jason stays in such good shape with you as a fiancée.”

“Well, he does work out twice as much as he used to. Plus running after Katie makes us both find muscles we never knew we had. I love her to death, but she can wear me out. It’s nice that she has a grandma who enjoys running after her as much as the rest of us.”

“Is that where she is now?” I asked. Katie was Jason’s niece. I didn’t know much beyond that they were taking care of her.

“Yep. She’s at Carla’s. It’s nice for her since my dad’s always traveling for business.”

Lily walked up behind Ayden and slid between the two brothers, letting herself inside.

“Oh, it’s true,” Mason’s mom said. “I’d love a little grandchild, boy or girl, doesn’t matter to me. I’d love to spoil it to death, but my kids are too busy with careers and…”

“Whoa. Hold it now,” Mason laughed. “Let’s not scare off the guests. I’m gonna go shower and I’ll be back in a few.”

I caught an intimate trade of glances between Lily and Ayden and a private smile that made my heart melt. I dropped my gaze to the floor as Mason walked by and whispered an invite to the shower. My gaze scanned the room, and I knew there was no way I could slip away and not be noticed. I wasn’t that brazen.

“Nice try,” I whispered. “But I’m needed here.”

“You’re needed upstairs more.” He grinned.

My smile widened, and I shook my head as he turned and climbed up the stairs, two at a time.

“We’ve got a new product launching in the fall,” Ayden announced, going back out to the porch. He brought back in a case of something in silver cans. “It’s carbonated tea with a burst of antioxidants and Vitamin B. I think it’ll be the next big one.”

“Your company is full of big ones,” his mom said.

“Just lucky. That’s all.” He opened the can and poured it in a glass, handing it to his mom. He waited so intently for her response. I could tell he truly cared what she thought. My heart ached slightly and I got annoyed at myself. It was the most random things that would make me miss my parents.

“This is another hit,” she said, nodding. “Delicious. Light and refreshing. Who’s your consumer on this one?”

“The one market that I still really want to tap into. Females twenty-one to thirty-six.”

“Hey, you need more than just me?” Lily teased. “Am I chopped liver?”

Ayden shook his head and handed me a glass of the bubbly drink.

“Not on your worst day and if you’d buy all the cases across the country, I wouldn’t have to target those consumers.”

“Well, I guess I better get on it,” Lily laughed. “I had the marketing plans set for the thirty to thirty-five year old male.”

“Seriously?” Ayden asked, setting the rest of the cans on the counter.

Lily gave him a devilish grin and he shook his head.

“In case you’re wondering, Lily works for Ayden. She’s the head of marketing and development.”

I nodded.

“But that wasn’t until after we started dating,” Ayden clarified.

I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was. There was the right amount of bubbles and very little sweetness. If I needed a pick-me-up, I’d definitely reach for it.

“This is really good,” I said, in between sips. “Really good.”

“Right in our demographic.” Ayden placed a kiss on Lily’s cheek, and she glowed. and part of me wondered if there was more to her glow than people realized.

“Okay. Breakfast is served,” Gabby slid out a tray of croissants. “Ham and cheese croissants ready and waiting.”

Mason’s mom spooned the fluffy scrambled eggs into a bowl and I grabbed all the utensils and plates before following everyone outside. Everything was so easy and effortless. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was on a quasi vacation or because being with this group of people was just the right fit. I decided not to worry which it was and enjoy the company.

Gabby placed the croissants on the table and Mason’s mom put the bowl of eggs next to it. I put the plates down and the napkins next to the stack and anchored them with the plastic forks and knives.

Jason walked up the steps. His hair still messy from the night, but he immediately lit up when he saw Gabby. I took a seat on the end of a couch and watched the two of them.

“My favorite,” he whispered, as he leaned over her to snatch one of the warm croissants.

“Brandy will be so sad she’s missing out,” Gabby sighed.

“Oh, please. She’s getting plenty of croissants and who knows what else in Paris. I do not feel sorry for her,” Lily chuckled. “Not one bit.”

“True. But I have to admit, I’d pick this any day.” Gabby leaned against Jason and he nodded.

“Me too, babe.”

Mason walked onto the patio as Jason placed a kiss on Gabby’s cheek, and I knew there was something special about this group of friends. Maybe this was how friends were meant to be…Available to catch you if your wings break, but there to help you soar the rest of the time. I had that with Bethany, long distance, but it would be nice to experience in the same state.

“You look gorgeous,” Mason said, bending down and swiping a kiss across the top of my head.

“Not so bad yourself.”

He made a plate for each of us and sat next to me. There were little pockets of conversation surrounding us. It was nice to get lost in the mix

“You smell wonderful.” He winked.

“Nothing like a little sunblock to get your juices flowing, huh?”

Mason sat back and balanced his plate on his knee as I took a bite of the croissant. Of course, it was heavenly. Gabby had a real gift.

“You have a great group of friends and your family is beautiful,” I said, my voice low.