Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Kiel. He’s a lovely young man. Grad student.”
Galvin felt a rush of relief wash over her. She smiled at Sail and then reminded herself he could like anyone he wanted because they were friends. Galvin needed to keep that mantra running in her head.
Sail reached for her hand and linked their fingers. He started them at the first painting. They talked about each one, what they thought they meant, and Galvin pointed out the different strokes Eloise had used.
After their tour, they stood out in front of the gallery, and Galvin pulled her coat tighter. “Thank you for bringing me.”
Sail once again linked his hand with hers. “The gallery is one of our hidden gems. I’m happy we did this. Now, how about we head across the street to the Irish pub and grab a bite to eat. I’m not sure if you’re a beer drinker, but they have some Irish beers on tap.”
“I don’t really drink.”
“At all?” he asked and then added. “I’m only curious because if drinking bothers you, we can go someplace else and knowing will help me plan other excursions with you.”
Galvin gave Sail a half-shrug. “It’s not something I seek out. Like I don’t decide at four in the afternoon I need wine. But I also don’t always have wine or a cocktail at dinner. I have to be in the mood. And right now, I’m not really in the mood.”
“Me, neither. But we do need to eat, and they have soda. Come on, let’s go get rowdy with the Irish. They’re a lot of fun.” Sail winked and directed them across the street.
sail
. . .
Sail liked Galvin. He more than liked her, actually. And didn’t know what to do about his growing feelings. He sat at the table in his parents' kitchen, staring at the bowl of cereal he’d poured earlier. The oat or wheat pieces were past the point of soggy, which when mixed with the milk looked like soup. Cold soup he had no intention of eating.
The front door opened, and footsteps echoed. Sail didn’t bother looking, assuming it was his mother or his youngest brother getting ready to leave for school. Sail suspected Crew would ask him for a ride and as much as he wanted to say no, he would do it anyway. Mostly to save his mom from having to take him. Their dad was long at work, checking on every business they owned and probably holding court at one of the coffee shops in town. Jack Carter may own the most popular diner in Seaport, but that didn’t mean he didn’t patronize the other businesses.
Sail looked to his right and stared. In the doorway, a blond bombshell stood there, staring back at him. The tiny hairs on his arms and neck stood, igniting the fight response. He rose slowly, ready to protect his family at all costs. Yes, she was a woman, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a posse of men waiting for the all-clear outside. Crime was minimal in Seaport, but it still happened.
“Who the hell are you and what do you want?” Sail eyed her and his surroundings. He looked quickly for a weapon . . . just in case.
“You must be Sail.”
What kind of robber mentions someone’s name?
The femme fatale stepped forward and held her hand out. Sail recoiled and her eyes widened. “Who are you?” Sail asked again.
“Oh, sorry. I’m Caroline,” she told him. “Didn’t Dune—”
“What’d I do or didn’t do?” Dune’s voice carried from the hallway. He stepped behind Caroline and glared at Sail. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I thought she was here to rob and kill us.”
“Her?” Dune’s thumb motioned toward Caroline. He began laughing. She elbowed him.
“I could,” she said, which only made Dune laugh harder.
When he recovered, he looked at Sail. “This is my fiancée, Caroline.” Dune then turned to Caroline. “Sweetheart, I love you dearly, but you couldn’t hurt a fly.” He nodded toward Sail. “This is my brother, Sail.”
Now Sail stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m sorry for thinking you were here to kill us.”
“It’s okay. I should’ve announced myself as soon as I stepped inside.”
“Where’s Mom?” Dune asked.
Sail shrugged and sat back down, with this pitiful bowl of cereal. “Not sure. I’ve been sitting here for about thirty minutes. I thought Caroline was Crew, looking for a ride to school.”
“Hmfp,” Dune grunted and went to the sink, filling the kettle with water before setting it on the stove. He then went to the coffee pot and poured a cup of coffee. He waited for Caroline to sit down before he sat next to her.
“I wonder if she went in with Dad.”
“Dunno,” Sail said. “I suppose we’ll know shortly when the kid comes down for school.”
“Are you coming to work today?” Dune asked.
Sail nodded as he got up and took his bowl to the sink. He poured the soggy mixture down the drain and ran the water until all remnants washed away.