My fingers itched for my keyboard. “Is that right?”
He nodded. “The visibility is always shit down there because there’s so much clay in this area. It makes a thick, murky cast when you get down toward the deepest parts of the lake. Up along the top, it stays nice and clear for boats and the lazy river’s edge on the opposite end from your place.”
I hurried to the end of the boat and we both lifted it off the truck bed. The scull wasn’t heavy, but the outriggers had beenwrapped up to protect it on the shipping. My brain coming back online, I couldn’t stop the grin. “My email from the company said this wasn’t coming for another week at least.”
“Tate had a shipment of fair displays for Memorial Day. Halloween did so well last year that we decided to do a street fair where the parade ends at Wonderland Village. It will have a ton of local artists selling their wares and rides for the kids. Same company does the shipping for this area. Tate always checks for big orders in the area to save people on shipping charges.”
“Just like that?”
“Sure. It’s what we do for people. Especially since you and Miss Phoebe are so tight. She helped a ton when Tate was setting up the village.”
I almost bobbled the boat.
Dylan gripped the edge. “You got it?”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
He grinned. “Am I wrong?”
I cleared my throat. “No, you’re not.”
“Good. If Phoebe thinks you’re good people, we do too.”
Just like that.
We got to the garage door and I maneuvered myself to the center of the scull and pinned it to my hip with one arm. “Can you open the door?”
“Yeah. If you need a boat launch attachment to the pier, Phoebe’s brother has a hook up.” The hinges squeaked as he swung the garage doors open. “I can ask Micah to add it to the property. The pier doesn’t get much action these days. Probably needs some updating.”
“Yeah. Why don’t we set that up? I’ll be here for a while.” The idea of San Francisco seemed so far away. As much as I loved it, this felt more like home somehow.
“You sticking around more than your six months?” When I didn’t answer Dylan grinned wider. “Miss Phoebe has a way about her. I don’t blame you.”
He grabbed the end of the boat to redistribute the weight and we hooked it up to the brackets I’d installed in the wall of the garage. I didn’t bother to use it for my truck since it was such a small space.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. It’s a gorgeous craft. So light. There’s a separate box for the oars. I’ll go grab it.”
I smoothed my hand over the white hull, pulling the protective plastic cling back. I’d definitely be putting her in the water tomorrow if the weather cooperated. I turned at the crunch of Dylan’s boots behind me.
He set the box under the boat. “Is everything else all right with the cottage? I haven’t been over to check since the last snowfall.”
“It’s great. Do you have another renter for it?”
“Not at the moment. Micah wanted to give you first dibs on renewal. If not, we’ll put feelers out.”
“Good.” I backed out of the garage and closed the door. “Can I ask you another question?”
“About the house?”
“No, the lake.”
“Oh. Sure. Going to brave the depths?”
I huffed out a laugh. “I’m not really a dive guy.” I hooked my thumb toward the garage. “I prefer to stay dry and not let the monsters get me.”
Dylan laughed. “Right. Horror writer. I can’t imagine what goes on in your brain. I love a good horror movie, though.”
