AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When they arrived at the gate, Justin waited on Smokey, bareback, ready to open the gate.
“Jesus.”
Dave looked at Katrina and barked out a laugh. “My brother is just hot.”
“And so are you!”
“Not like Justin,” he said, shaking his head. He was so proud of Justin.
“He’s definitely making a statement,” Katrina said, laughing. “When I see Maggie with him, it’s a little breathtaking.”
Inside the yard, he pulled alongside Justin’s truck. Maggie came running out, clearly moved seeing her best friend with her future brother-in-law, opened Katrina’s door, and threw her arms around her.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered.
“Can we go to Bonnet Island, or are we supposed to help build the barn?”
“Oh hell no. I’ve done enough work on that thing today. Yes, we can go for a boat ride.”
“We brought food.”
“You of all people didn’t have to.”
“He bought it. I got home, and he was there, all moved in. Let’s go, and I’ll tell you the rest of the story.”
The men joined them in front of the cottage.
“Welcome, friend,” Justin said, grinning at her.
“Well, surprise, surprise,” Katrina said, laughing. “Isn’t this special.”
“It’s super special,” Maggie said, hugging Dave. “I have just enough conceit right now that I think you two did this for me.”
“It is for you. We want to be aunt and uncle together.”
“Aw! That’s so sweet,” Katrina said. “That’s exactly right.”
“We’re going out in the boat,” Maggie said to Justin.
“Okay. Take the dog, please.”
“I’ll be right back,” Maggie said to Katrina, going to retrieve the keys and the dog and her leash.
The men went to the barn, and Maggie and Katrina went to the dock.
“This is getting to be our special tradition.”
“I hope Alphé doesn’t show up again,” Maggie said, laughing.
“He doesn’t work on weekends anymore, according to Calista. We’re safe.”
She sat in front with Brulee’s paws on the bench, both of their faces turned up to catch the spray.
“I wish I had a camera right now! You should see you two. It’s hysterical.”
She circled around the island to make sure no one else had trespassed, but they were alone. She beached the boat, and they got out, pulling it up a little higher. Maggie spread out a blanket, and they sat down side by side.
“Look, you can see the men on the scaffolding,” Maggie said, pointing. “From this angle you can really see all the work that we’ve done on the cottage. It makes me so proud. It’s still a swamp shack, but it’s a nice one.”
