I slid an emergency form and pen across the counter. “What size lifejacket are you? Jacked, or extra-jacked?”
He chuckled. “Extra.”
I laughed, and went to grab him one.
When I came back, he had a weird look on his face.
“Something wrong?”
“No offense. I just noticed your leg.”
“None taken. I notice it all the time.”
“Definitely caught me off guard. I wouldn’t have guessed just looking at you through the window.”
“Thanks, I guess? Can I help you with anything else?”
He slid a finger over his mouth and leaned an elbow on the counter. “You’re pretty ripped, brother.”
All right. This was getting weird. “I try.”
“I’m Lani by the way.” He extended his hand. “Lani Tupou.”
I shook it. “Carter Wilson.”
Lani finished signing his form.
“Look. I don’t know if you’re cool talking about your leg, or not, but I own a gym in the valley. I’ve had a few amputees come in for training, but I had to refer them out. I’m at a loss when it comes down to the specs, and I don’t want to risk any injuries. Mind if I pick your brain? Maybe get an idea for how you’re doing it?”
A jolt of excitement fired through my veins—I’d been wondering about how I could help other amputees. Maybe this could be the start of something? I nodded, smoothing my beard. “For sure, man. I’m busy tonight, though. Can I get your number?”
“Got a pen?”
I handed him one and an extra form. He wrote it down and slid the paper back to me. “Call me when you have a minute.”
“Will do.”
Lani turned toward the lake, a screeching teenager in a pair of neon-green trunks flying across the shore and jumping onto him. He threw an arm around the kid’s shoulders and nodded toward the lake. “You ready, brada?”
“So, what’re your plans after summer?” Tucker asked, getting in after lunch. He pulled a clipboard off the wall and checked a box. He usually worked in maintenance, but when Pastor Gregg asked him to fill in at the boathouse with me for a while he agreed.
“Ha. Plans. I’ll need a job. Of some kind.”
“So, I saw you leave with Lauren yesterday. Do you guys know each other?”
“Not yet. She seems like a cool girl, though.”
Those copper-honey eyes, that hair—Ah, forget all that, Man.
Tucker let out a disbelieving laugh and crossed his arms.
“Careful with that one, Carter. She’s a rebound queen, and she just got out of another relationship.”
A flash of anger made my fists clench. Tucker had no idea what Lauren was going through. Pregnant and alone, but she was keeping that baby and she wasn’t backing down. I couldn’t believe her grit. It was military status.
“What’s wrong, Tuck? You still upset she dumped you?”
“Hey, man. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“Thanks, but I’m a big kid.” I tapped the counter. “Am I clear for lunch?”
He nodded.
I headed toward the cafeteria, glancing at the coffee shop as I passed. Lauren wasn’t at breakfast this morning. I’d wondered if she was okay and thought of asking June about her, but I didn’t want to tip her off.
Shifting directions, I made my way to the coffee shop. The bell jingled when I opened the door.
The place was empty, except one gorgeous, dark-haired girl behind the counter, sitting on a stool, sketching in a notebook. Instead of Miss America, Miss Ancient Egypt was out on display today. Dark purple eyeshadow rimmed her eyes and twin braids ran down the sides of her head in figure eights. A gold choker gleamed above her tank top, snake-shaped gold earrings hung from her ears, and a thick gold bracelet that could’ve rivaled Cleopatra’s clasped her upper arm. Come to think of it, everything about Lauren rivaled Cleopatra.
I approached, recognizing the shape of a fancy dress on her page. “You making it camo?” I asked.
Lauren gasped, snapping the notebook shut, like she was a kid and I’d caught her sneaking a cookie or something. Her honey eyes flicked to mine as she slid the pencil inside the binding. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be sketching at work.”
“Don’t apologize to me. I was just coming to see how my favorite barista’s doing. Did you get a chance to talk to your sister or that guy, Ren, yet?”
“Not yet. I want to talk to Ren first and figure out a plan. Kellie will want to know every detail, and ‘I don’t know’ won’t be a good enough answer for her.”
“So, when are you planning to talk to Ren?”
“Maybe later tonight?” She toyed with her earring. “He’s usually pretty busy until after nine.”
“Think you’re ready for that conversation?”
She blew a shaky breath. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, but it needs to happen, right? And I kind of just want to get it over with. I’m definitely nervous, though.”
“I can imagine. Have you practiced yet?”
“Practiced?”
“Military tactics.” I took a step closer, trying not to breathe her citric perfume any deeper. “Rehearse before battle. Imagine every scenario, envision how you’ll handle it, then do it again. And again. And again. That way, when you’re there, you’re just on autopilot.”
“Marines do that?”
“Yeah, and you could too. We could roleplay at the bonfire tonight, if you want. Get some practice in before you do it for real.”
“Someone might hear us.”
“We’ll go covert. Marshmallow means baby. Graham cracker means daddy.”
Her shoulders dropped as she smiled up at me. Her obvious relief sank to my soul.
“I’ll bring stuff for s’mores.” I winked. “Meet me by the fire pit at eight?”
“Thanks so much, Carter. I’ve been stressing so bad. I really appreciate this.”
“It’s a date, then.”
No. Not a date, not a date. I mentally kicked myself all the way to the cafeteria—but I couldn’t stop grinning anyway.
Seven
-CARTER-
I sat on a log by the fire pit, and started a fire, groaning with relief. The day had been busy, and man, I could appreciate a busy day, but my leg was aching from being on it for
