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“I appreciate that. Marsh, are you ready-”
“To go home? Yes,” he said, already steering her back towards the docks.
“You’re welcome to stay for supper,” Jimmy called after them, his eyes twinkling.
“No, thank you. Maybe next time,” Marsh added.
She shot him a surprised look from under her lashes and saw Jimmy looking equally shocked. But it was a good surprise, especially since they’d need to come to town more frequently in the future.
Once they were across the inlet, Marsh took up his pole, sending the boat skimming along the water beneath the Spanish moss cascading from the overhanging branches. They still had a good while until sundown, but the rich sweetness of honeysuckle already perfumed the air and a bird warbled from high above their heads. She leaned back against the seat and smiled up at him.
“Did you enjoy your visit?”
“I suppose I did. It’s nice to feel… tolerated by the human world.”
“More than tolerated,” she said gently. “You know Jimmy considers you a friend.”
He hesitated, then nodded.
“I still find it difficult to believe. You’ve brought so many changes to my life. Jimmy, the town, even Thorn.”
The relationship between the two males was still not entirely healed, despite everything that had happened, but Thorn continued to show up every couple of weeks. She suspected only time would completely heal the rift, but at least they were trying.
They talked a little more as they traveled, but mostly she was content to ride in silence. A smile kept curving her lips and she half-expected him to ask about it, but he hadn’t mentioned it by the time they arrived home. Once again he lifted her out of the boat, then tied it to the post, no longer bothering to hide it.
He scooped up her shopping, then took her hand as they walked up to the clearing in front of the house and she smiled again.
“I like coming home.”
“Coming home means you have to leave first,” he mock grumbled, and she nudged him with her elbow.
“Which makes you appreciate it more.”
“I bought some cheese and grapes while I was in town. Why don’t we have an early dinner under the arbor?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“Just give me a few minutes.”
She retrieved her packages and hurried into the house, putting everything away except for a single small packet she tucked in her pocket. Then she loaded a tray with a pitcher of tea, the food, and some crackers she’d also bought in town and went to join him.
A small deer bounded away as she approached and she shook her head.
“I hope your animal friends aren’t upset that you no longer spend all your time with them.”
He shrugged as he retrieved the tray from her.
“They know they are welcome to remain, but you will always come first, little bird.”
They nibbled at their food as the shadows deepened and fireflies came out to play in the dusk.
“Did you get everything you wanted in town?” he asked lazily.
She was sitting in his lap, leaning back against him as he played with her hair.
“Very much so.” She took a deep breath. “In fact I got you something as well.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I have everything I want right here.”
