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Robert’s laugh died on the spot, and he cleared his throat. “I don’t recall at the moment.”
“I’ll be happy to go over it with you when we get back to the house.”
I hid my smile with the back of my hand. Colton’s quick wit shut Robert up immediately.
I stared across the lake, ignoring Robert’s grumbling behind me. There were other cabins nestled on the other side of the water, some spanning at least fifty feet. It was a completely different world than the one I lived in. I thought of my family and how my grandmother would hate it here. She’d say she had left the wilderness of her home country so her family could realize their dreams in the city. ‘Why should I fight mosquitoes all week long?’ she’d told us when we suggested renting a cabin last summer. She’d said to save our money for Disney World instead. That was her idea of a vacation. The thought made me smile and I wrapped my arms around myself as a sudden breeze blew through my coat.
“Are you cold?” asked Colton.
“A little,” I said.
“We should go back inside,” suggested Colton as he unzipped his jacket. When he stood to remove it, Paul looked back and accidentally moved the steering wheel toward another property’s dock.
“Careful!” I shouted. Paul yanked the steering wheel to the right and I crashed up against the side of the boat. Colton unfortunately did not. He teetered until his arms flailed like a windmill and he crashed into the dark water.
“Colton,” I screamed, turning behind me and reaching for him. Colton broke the surface, his dark hair slicked back. His face wasn’t angry, just startled. Paul and Robert reached for him and pulled him back inside the boat. He stood in a puddle in his black boots and jeans. Pieces of his black hair fell toward his face, and he pushed them back. He panted, his chest heaving, making him look like some sea god—about to exact his revenge. Instead, he said, “This boat ride is over.”
Paul nodded and turned the boat around as Colton held onto the railing beside him. I stared ahead, not daring to turn around. I felt terrible for Colton, but I struggled to fight back a giggle. I was one of those people that laughed at the most inappropriate times to relieve my anxiety. So, I held my breath and chewed the inside of my cheek. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I didn’t laugh.
“Well, Colton, you sure are a good sport about all this,” said Robert.
“I’ll take that as your agreement to discuss business before dinner.”
Robert laughed and smacked Colton on the shoulder. The wet sound made me shiver. “Sure. I guess you’ve earned it.”
18
Frances
The savory smell of fried onions and peppers wafted into the bedroom. I hadn’t realized I was hungry until my stomach rumbled in protest. Turning over my phone, I read the time: six o’clock. I quickly shot Marco a text, letting him know that everything was fine. Then I headed downstairs.
Marie was in the kitchen, stirring a large pot, steam rising from three other pans in front of her. “What are you cooking?” I asked, coming up beside her.
“Chili with some fried beans and vegetables.”
“Smells delicious. Can I help with anything?”
“You can give Paul a hand with the fire,” she flicked her head in the direction of the dining room. Paul threw some kindling in the fireplace and had just torn off a piece of the newspaper when I reached him.
“Your mom asked me to help you, but it looks like you have everything under control,” I said, standing next to him.
He chuckled and crumpled up the paper in his fist before throwing it into the pit. “That’s all right. I appreciate the company.”
“Where’s Colton and your dad?” I asked, stretching my neck to peek past the kitchen.
“They’re in my father’s study, talking business.”
“Oh. Maybe I should go in there and see if Colton needs me to take notes or anything.” I moved past Paul, but he put a hand on my shoulder to stop me.
“I don’t think any note-taking will be necessary. I think Colton will be the one doing most of the talking. If I know my father, he’s probably drilling him about everything but that property.”
I pulled out one of the plush dining room chairs and sat down. “Do you think your father is going to sell him the land?”
Paul clicked his tongue. “You never know where you stand with my dad until he tells you. He has the best poker face.”
“He’s also got a good football tackle from what I’ve seen.”
He barked out a laugh this time, and I couldn’t help but smile. It was easy talking to him. He didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. His demeanor put me at ease, as though we’d been friends for a long time.
