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I know I currently have a million worries racing through my brain, but this by far is the perfect place for me to escape them all. And, of course, Matthew knew just where to take me.
Once we arrive, he puts the truck in park and grins in my direction as he opens the door. “Ready?”
“Hell. Yes.” I open the door and hop out, taking a minute to live in the uniqueness that is Mason Creek.
I never realized just how much I’d missed it until I came back.
We walk down to the dock, and when we hop onMcLovin, it’s like a flashback to five years ago. Nothing has changed on the boat, except for the kid toys that now sit in the corner.
“I love that he kept it just the same,” I say, looking around.
“Just because my dad has money now doesn’t mean he’s changed a bit. He’s still the simple old man he always was.”
I pause and nod. “Just like you.”
He stops and turns to me. “You don’t think I’ve changed?”
“Not one bit.”
I race by him, kicking off my sandals, shimmying out of my shorts, and lifting my shirt over my head as I run to the dock. Then, I jump in the water with my hands up in the air as I scream out the best release I’ve had in a long time.
As I come up for air, I feel Matthew jump in beside me. Before he comes above the water, he grabs me, making me yelp in surprise.
He’s laughing as he takes a breath and wipes the water from his eyes.
“You scared me!” I splash him with water.
He reaches for me, bringing me close, and kisses me out of nowhere. His lips touching mine sends goose bumps over my entire body even though the water is amazingly warm.
His kiss is short but leaves me longing for more as he pulls back and swims toward the boat dock. It takes me a few breaths to realize I’m treading water, staring off into space and thinking about that kiss.
“You coming?” he asks, taking me out of my stupor.
I swim to the dock and climb up to sit next to him, but I keep my feet in the water. He nudges me with a smile.
“How does it feel to have all of your dreams come true?” he asks.
I shrug with a small grin. “I think I’m still numb over it all. I don’t want to say it’s good since I’m dealing with my mom, but it’s definitely helped me keep centered today.”
“How is she?”
I look out to the lake, one of my favorite places in this world, and feel absolutely helpless on the topic.
I shake my head. “Not good. I think it’s way more advanced than anyone has known.” I turn to face him. “I didn’t plan on leaving you out there last night.” I sigh as I look back to the lake. “I heard her inside and went in to make sure she was okay. Hours later, I was still trying to get her back in bed. She doesn’t sleep. It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like she can’t stay still. I get her to sit down, and ten minutes later, she’s up, moving again.”
He places his hand on mine, giving me more comfort than he can ever imagine.
“I didn’t want you to think I didn’t want to be there with you,” I say.
He squeezes my hand. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t think twice about waking up alone. I know you have a lot going on.”
I nod. “That I do.”
“Tell me about Nashville,” he says, making me thankful for the conversation change.
“It’s so different than here. But you probably got the same vibe from Missoula.”
He nods. “Yeah, but anything is different than this small-ass town.”
