Page 95 of Theirs to Treasure

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Saturday morning was one of those perfect Fate Harbor days, with crystalline air that turned the sky into a canvas of blue, splashed with the white of Mt. Rainer and the emerald eruptions of steepling evergreens and tender ferns. Josie was curled on an Adirondack chair on the back deck sipping coffee and allowing the reflections on the lake to hypnotize her. It was seven in the morning, and it felt odd not to be at Sweet Dreams.

“Morning, Zee! Are you ready for the festival?”

Josie turned to smile at Chance. She’d been expecting him to try and surprise her. She’d heard the sliding glass door and knew it was him. She carefully set her mug down on the arm of the chair and launched herself into his arms.

“I’ve missed you!” His lips devoured hers, his tongue minty, hers the flavor of coffee, both flavors bursting with passion and hunger. She gripped his curls and his hands fisted into the mass of her midnight silk.

“Hmmm, mmm, Becca and Sarah, let me see if I can find your sister,” Sam said loudly from the kitchen. Chance and Josie reluctantly broke apart.

“Hey, girls, I’m out here!” Josie yelled. Sam, Becca, and Sarah came out onto the deck. “What are you doing here so early? I thought you’d take advantage and sleep in?”

“Elise told us that the dance tonight is a formal. Did you know that?” Sarah asked.

“Damn it! I’m sorry, I didn’t. I would have told you, if I had. I just assumed we could wear something nice.” Josie looked at her sisters with a forlorn expression. She’d really messed up.

“We thought we’d talk you into taking the ferry over to Snoqualt and head to the mall. Elise said she could take the early shift for the carnival and picnic, and we could probably be back by eleven,” Becca suggested.

Josie saw the pleading looks on her sisters’ faces. She really shouldn’t go. It was important to be at the festival for setup, since she had just been hired.

“Actually, I have you all covered. Literally covered, that is.” Chance piped up.

“Oh, I’m going to head in for coffee. This is definitely going to require caffeine.” Sam opened the sliding glass door and let himself back into the kitchen.

“Coward!” Chance called after him, laughing as his friend flipped him the bird.

“Becca, Sarah, how about I give you my credit card and—” Josie started.

“Stop right there, Zee. Allow me to speak.” Chance held up his hands in the form of a T, like a referee calling a time out, reducing the twins to snickers.

“Okay, by all means, speak.” Josie smiled, wondering what the devil he had up his sleeve.

“Being a resident of Fate Harbor, I knew the dance was a formal. Being a connoisseur of women’s fashion, and someone who can’t resist the opportunity to buy clothes for Josie—”

“That’s true, he can’t. He’s insane,” Josie concurred.

Chance shot her a dirty look and continued. “Please, allow me to continue. I decided to shop for the two of you, as well. And it is just possible that I might have brought home two additional suitcases from Boston with clothing and shoe options for tonight’s event.”

“You’re the bomb!” Becca shouted.

“Oh. My. God,” Sarah yelled.

Both girls simultaneously launched themselves at Chance, nearly shoving him into the side of the house, as they were giggling and kissing on him.

“You’re the best!” Josie said, echoing her sisters.

“Where are they? Can we go look?”

“You brought stuff for Josie, too, right?” The last came from Becca.

“Becca, if Sam would let me dress him, I would. Of course I have things for Josie. Let’s go have a fashion show, shall we?” He wrapped an arm around each girl and herded them back through the kitchen door, giving Josie a wink over his shoulder. She saluted him with her mug of coffee.

As soon as the coast was clear, Sam emerged from his hiding place with his coffee and gave her a kiss.

“So, you’re giving me a fashion show, huh?”

“Clothes, not underwear.” Josie had to disappoint him.