Chapter 25 #2
“There’s a nice sized dock,” Wolf offers from the driver’s seat.
His grey T-shirt ripples in the breeze as he rests his wrist on the top of the steering wheel.
His clothes are a departure from his usual wardrobe.
When he goes to work, he’s in blue jeans and steel-toed boots and a ball cap with some kind of T-shirt or Henley.
In the evenings, he sheds most of it and opts for sweats.
Today he’s in the light T-shirt and swim trunks, which are almost as torturous as his boxer briefs.
“We’ve kept it up over the years, so it’s in good shape,” he continues.
“And we have a shed where we keep more chairs and inner tubes and all that.”
“So do you guys take turns working on Saturdays?” I ask, pulling at a loose strand of hair that’s trying to blow into my eyes. I’ve only known him to work the weekend when we were interrupted by his infernal radio.
He nods, and I have to resist the urge to tousle the dark hair that peeks out from the back of his ball cap. “One or two of us usually have to but always end up at the lake after our shift. I think River has to work today, so we won’t see him until later. But you’ll see Uncle Bert and Dana.”
Speaking of his uncle and beloved housekeeper—they are already set up on the expanse of beach when we pull up.
When I step out of the truck, I immediately want to move my house to this plot of land and then feel traitorous deep on the inside at the thought of trading Clover Hill for something else.
It’s just hard not to fall in love with the view of the crystal lake shimmering in the sun between the mountains, looking like they carved out space just for it.
“Paradise, right?” Wolf asks as he comes around the front of the truck to stand by my side.
I nod, lifting my sunglasses and squinting through the bright sun to fully take in the full visceral picture.
“Mountains, water, and trees all in one place,” I agree as he turns his head and gazes at me.
I look back at him, and it’s like we’re sharing a feeling of solidarity or just a pleasant connection.
“Newlyweds!” Bert bellows, and we turn to see him with his arms spread wide in greeting, a beer in one of his hands.
Wolf leans in slightly and a zing of anticipation flits through me. “He’s going to use your job in the medical field as an excuse to ask you to look at a rash. Don’t fall for it,” he advises me before turning to grab things out of the flatbed.
Oh. “Okay then,” I mutter curtly and put my shades back in place before turning to help him.
Hawk shows up next, his truck not too unlike Wolf’s, and he gives me a nod along with some kind of cocky grin as he carries a folding chair and a cooler down toward the water.
I’m about to ask if Forest is coming when a big black SUV pulls up and swings into an open space next to ours.
Wolf looks up, his shaded eyes scoping the vehicle out curiously. “Well that’s new,” he says, then looks back down and grabs one of the coolers.
“What?”
“Forest brought…someone,” he murmurs and says no more as he turns toward the water.
I look back at the SUV. Forest is opening the passenger side door, which reveals a set of beautiful legs in a pair of cute shorts on a gorgeous woman who looks to be my age.
I mentally shrug before hefting a couple tote bags to carry to already set-up tables and protective canopies.
A grill looks to be preheating ,and the men in the family are already exchanging barbs that mostly consist of “fuck you” and “eat shit.” I smile to myself as I pull out a tube of sunscreen.
I’ve only gotten so far as getting my face protected before Hawk saunters up to me.
He’s dressed pretty much like his twin, minus the ball cap, letting the sun accentuate the golden strands mixed in with his sandy brown hair.
“Hey, Molly,” he greets me, his voice sly and a little flirty even. “How’s married life with assface treating you?” He tips his head to look at me with a brow cocked over the rim of his sunglasses.
I shrug coyly. “We’re good.”
He purses his lips and gazes at me so it’s obvious he’s staring hard despite his shades.
“Glad to hear it,” he finally says with no change to his expression.
“But if things are ever not good, you can come to me, okay?” His features and his voice soften with a sentiment I’m not quite sure what to make of.
“Okay.” I smile and try to look appreciative, as well as receive him with an open mind. I don’t know much about Hawk, and the little I do is hearsay. And I definitely don’t want to turn away from anyone trying to be my family.
“Molly!” Forest’s thick voice cuts through any uneasiness as he strides toward me, the beauty he arrived with trailing just behind him.
“Did you bring any food?” he asks urgently, despite the table already half covered with side dishes and plates of almost any snack foods imaginable.
“Muffins? Cookies? Anything…” He keeps going.
I can’t help the amused smile splitting my face as I grab one of my full tote bags off the chair.
“Chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter bars, and I made some meatballs.” I giggle as he lunges for me, but I hold the bag away from him.
“If you want this so bad you can go set it up on the table,” I sputter as he ducks and weaves with every attempt to catch the bag.
“No problem! Now hand it over.” He eagerly takes the bag from me but before he can turn, Hawk smacks his shoulder.
“Hey! Where the fuck are your manners, dick?” He waves at Forest’s lady friend. “Who’s your friend?”
“Sorry,” Forest murmurs pointedly to the woman and not Hawk.
“Guys, this is Shannen.” He rests his hand on her back as she gives us a beautifully bright smile and a wave.
Forest continues introductions. “Shannen, this asshole is my younger brother Hawk, and this is my sister-in-law, Molly.” He takes turns gesturing at us, and I feel another tingle at the word sister-in-law. I’m someone’s sister.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Shannen reaches forward to shake both our hands. “How long have you guys been married?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out before Hawk’s arm is around me, pulling me in close.
“We’re newlyweds,” he answers dreamily, and I laugh nervously, caught between wanting to joke around with new potential family members, respecting my actual husband, and deciding what kind of boundaries I want to set for myself.
“No,” I start to say, shoving Hawk off, but fortunately, Forest intervenes.
“Get the fuck off her.” He yanks Hawk away by the shirt. “Wolf will plant your ass in the grass. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I glance over at Wolf, who is helping Uncle Bert haul some outdoor loungers out of the shed, completely oblivious. Would he truly care about his brother hitting on me?
“I’m being brotherly,” Hawk defends himself. “I’m a friendly guy.”
“Brotherly my ass,” Forest says out the side of his mouth. “And go be friendly with Shannen.” Forest pushes Hawk, and he almost collides with her. “Go on, take this,” he shoves the tote bag at him, “and go help her set up the table.”
Hawk snorts as he walks away with Shannen, who is laughing, seemingly amused.
“Don’t worry, Shan!” Forest calls out. “He’s had his rabies shots!”
I’ve barely recovered from the previous bout of laughter before I start again, my body shaking as I squirt a dollop of sunblock into my hand. Craning my arm, I try to reach over and get the back of my shoulder the best I can.
“Wanna see something funny?” Forest asks with a relaxed smile, hands on his hips.
“You mean in addition to that comedy bit?” I wave toward Hawk. “Go for it.”
He rubs his hands together like a cartoon villain. “Sweet. Time to poke the bear.” He moves close and takes my tube of sunblock. “Let me give you a hand with that, Molly!” His deep timbre is extra loud as he makes his way behind me. He quietly counts down: “Three…two…one…”
In a blink, Wolf is beside us. “Get the fuck out of here,” he barks, and the next thing I hear is a whoosh of breath as their bodies collide and Forest stumbles over a few feet.
“Get the hell out of here,” Wolf growls.
“Just trying to spice up your marriage, brother.” Forest coughs as he staggers away in the direction of the tables, a huge grin on his face.
A flash of elation surfaces at Wolf’s display of possessiveness, and before I can wonder if that’s all it is—a display—his familiar rough hands glide over my back and apply sunblock across my shoulders.
Between the sun and the massage of Wolf’s hands, I have to make a conscious effort to not melt into the grass, especially as he adjusts the straps of my tank top and the bikini underneath.
When my back seems to be sufficiently covered, I expect Wolf to take off again, like he often does anytime we seem to make some good headway.
But instead, his arms wind around me from behind, pulling me back against him.
It feels nice. Right. Sexy and affectionate at the same time.
He doesn’t speak, and I decide not to pop the bubble by speaking up either.
Instead, I send up a silent request to the universe for more treats like this today…
and to reach a point soon where I don’t have to hope for them so much.