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He offered Del an apologetic smile. “Unfortunately, it does.”
Another text came across from Will then, this one on a different topic.Dude, check this out.
A video link appeared, Katrina’s face in tiny preview clip. That, he would wait to watch until later. No sense in ruining an otherwise perfect afternoon.
“Guess that means our nap is out.” Del studied her cuticles. “And the post-nap aerobics.”
Isaac grew hard at the implication. Damn, his girl was insatiable.
“I’m afraid duty calls.” He tossed the cushion he’d been holding aside and rose before he gave her offer too much thought. Lord knew he’d much rather stay with her than go home and work.
The thought brought a smile to his face. Him, preferring to lounge than work? He never thought he’d see the day. Even more surprising was how happy that option made him feel.
“Hopefully, I can get this knocked out and things will calm down by tomorrow. Your shop is closed tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, sir. No laboring on Labor Day for us. If people want plants that badly on a holiday, they can drive to the big box stores in Warsaw. So if you get done working and want some company, let me know. Oh, and don’t forget about those new sponsor logos we need added to our website. Will you still have time to do that?”
He helped her up from the loveseat and pecked a quick kiss on her cheek. Anything longer would waver his resolve. And with Will waiting for a response, wavering was not a good option right now. “Absolutely. I’ll do that as soon as I get home, before I get submerged in whatever Will sent over. Come on, Louie. Time to go for a ride.”
He signed his version ofrideto Louie, who shimmied out from under the chair he’d been using for shade and started his happy wiggle dance.
“It’s too bad he doesn’t enjoy car rides.” Del laughed.
“I know. Guess I should take him out more often.”
She smiled and gave him a knowing look. “You’re welcome to stop by with him anytime.”
Isaac kissed her on the nose, resisting the urge to pull her in for a more thorough kissing. Work first, then play. As much as he was enjoying playing, he did still have a company to keep afloat and employees to pay. He also knew the faster he worked, the faster he could get back to playing.
His phone vibrated again as he headed inside to grab the duffel bag he’d brought along. Isaac checked to find another message from Will.
Crazy, isn’t it? The tide’s finally turning, my friend.
The tide?Isaac stared at the screen, his gaze shifting from that line to the image of Katrina above it.Oh no. Not yet.He wasn’t ready for this all to end.
“Do you have everything?”
“Yeah.” He flashed her a forced smile and turned away, not wanting her to see the worry in his eyes. Because it was there again, big time. He snapped the lead on Louie’s collar, grabbed his bag, and headed for the front door.
“Don’t worry,” he told Del over his shoulder. “We’ll be back soon.”
Chapter Sixteen
Del headed toher sister’s for dinner Monday night, intending to help with more event planning while getting a partial kitchen pass for the evening. A side dish was requested, so she’d tossed a quick salad together. It was that or a bag of pretzels, her pantry running lower than normal thanks to a fun weekend that left little room for grocery shopping.
Not that she was complaining about all that Isaac-filled leisure time.
She’d texted him a few times throughout the day, and though he seemed to have helped avert yesterday’s crisis, he sounded absolutely swamped again today. Not wanting to delay his progress, she’d tried leaving him alone as best she could. It wasn’t how she’d hoped her Labor Day would go, but she completely understood. In business, deadlines happened. And if you wanted your business to stay afloat, you met those deadlines however you could.
“Where’s little B?” she asked, joining Mia on the back porch. Her grill was fired up, burgers already sizzling on its grates.
“Rachel’s house. They had a sleepover, been there all day. She texted a little bit ago and asked if she could stay for dinner. I figure between all her help at the bookstore and marching band practices, she deserved a fun day.”
“She has been a busy girl lately. When’s their first competition, anyway?”
“This coming weekend, so they’ll be putting in extra hours the rest of the week.”
“Wow, that came up quick. How are they sounding?”
