Page 54 of Marry Me Tomorrow
“No, it’s not that,” he says slowly. “I’m just trying to figure out how long I can afford to step away. There’s still so much to do—office work, the boats, the cabins . . .”
“What if I helped with more?” I suggest, crossing my arms.
He raises an eyebrow. “You want to help with more? You already do so much with the shop.” Then he shrugs. “But there’s no way I can turn down help at this point. How do you feel about office work?”
“I used to work as a secretary for a real estate firm back in Atlanta for a while, so I think I could handle the marina office.” I smile before taking a bite of my muffin.
“How about small maintenance work?”
“I had to help out with minor repairs to some of the rental locations when we were short-staffed, so I can help with some of that.”
“You really have worked in pretty much anything, haven’t you?”
“What can I say? I’m a jack-of-all-trades. Plus, this marina is my home now. I’d do anything to help around here.”
Something in his expression shifts as he steps closer. His hand comes up and cups my cheek brushing it lightly. The warmth of his touch sends my heart racing. Although it’s been weeks since we last kissed, my heart rate still spikes each time he comes close. I can’t help but want to kiss him again.
The world seems to fade—the chatter of boaters, the hum of the marina, even the gentle lapping of waves against the dock. It’s just us. His piercing gaze locks into me, and my breath catches as his thumb grazes the corner of my lips. My breath stutters as my lips part slightly. I can feel his warmth even though we are still a few inches apart. Is he going to kiss me again?
A flash of something passes through Trent’s eyes and he steps back, his face unreadable as he drops his hands from my face. “Sorry,” he mutters, clearing his throat. “You had a crumb just there.” He motions to his bottom lip.
My eyes zero in on his movement. I bite back a sigh. Ugh, what I wouldn’t give to kiss those lips again. “Thanks, I guess.”
Before either of us can say another word, a familiar voice cuts through the moment.
“What are you two doing out here?”
I turn to see Samson, his weathered face lit with curiosity. Trent is a ball of nerves beside me. “Samson!” I greet him, walking over with a smile. “How are you doing?”
“Wonderful, my dear,” he says, his eyes crinkling with warmth. He glances at the unfinished muffin in my hand. “Is that from the bakery downtown?”
Man, I should really eat faster.
“Yes, sir. Greg brought some back after his lunch with Holly.”
“Well, that Holly sure knows her way around a kitchen,” Samson remarks, rubbing his hands together.
He looks between Trent and me, a glimmer of mischief in his eye. “I didn’t expect to see you all back so soon. I know it’s been a few weeks, but I heard your honeymoon lasted only a day or two. That was mighty short.”
“We had some big reservations coming up,” says Trent, “so we needed to get back to the marina.”
“Yes,” I add, “we plan to take a longer trip once we are in the offseason. With the main season just starting, we didn’t want to sacrifice our customers just so we could have a longer honeymoon.”
Samson nods approvingly. “Smart. Timing is everything. That sounds well-thought-out. Great job, you two. I would have done the same myself had I gotten married right before the busy season, but I planned it right, and the missus and I got married in the offseason so we didn’t have to worry about timing.”
“Tell me about your wife,” I ask, hoping to get the discussion off Trent and my honeymoon.
Samson's gaze softens and a small smile flits across his face. “My Winnie was the sweetest gal. She worked at the ice cream shop in town, and I’d go get a vanilla ice cream every Friday. When I finally got the courage to ask her out, I was surprised she said yes.”
“That’s so sweet,” I say.
“She was the heart of this marina,” Samson continues. “Everyone loved my Winnie. She mainly worked the marina shop once we got this place up and running. She was so good with people. She was a free spirit and a friend to everyone. You remind me a little of her.”
A lump rises in my throat at his words. To be compared to someone so wonderful makes me proud.
“I know it may seem odd to you young kids,” Samson says, “that I would require each successive business owner to be married. But Winnie is the reason I put that clause into my business plan. I truly feel that a marina like this needs a couple at its core. It’s the couple that keeps the heart in this place. Both of us working together at the marina not only helped business thrive but also helped bring Winnie and I together over the years. I think it will do you and Trent good as well.”
I glance at Trent, his profile thoughtful against the sunlit lake. I feel a small smile light up my face.
