Chapter 9

“Hey daddy” I smiled rinsing off my dishes.

“Is Lance coming back to help with the boat?” he asked cheerfully.

“If that’s okay” I felt myself smiling still.

“That would be great the more the merrier, if you two want to start I’ll be out soon bear” I smiled and walked out back to the shed. I opened the two big doors rolling them to each side. I looked at the unfinished boat. Its underside was still unpainted completely

I grabbed a brush with the blue paint and laid on the wheelie board that slid me under the boat I began painting. Each stroke even, going the same way just nice subtle strokes. I stated singing to myself aloud because no one else was there.

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let you heart be light,
From now on our troubles will be out of sight.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us” I sang one of my favorite Christmas carols.

“Its ninety eight degrees and you’re singing Christmas songs?” Lance’s voice came from the door. I jumped trying to sit up resulting in my head colliding with the bottom of the boat.

“Ow” I muttered lying back down. He walked over and pulled me from under the boat.

“Let me see” he said and helped me sit up. He examined my forehead. “I think you’ll live” he chuckled.

“I was perfectly justified in sing Christmas carols, it’s December” I huffed.

“Yes but it’s nearly one hundred degrees” he argued back.

“The weather doesn’t effect the date” I responded. “It’s supposed to cool down later this week” I said defensively.

“You watch the weather channel” he laughed not asking but stating. I looked down embarrassed.

“At least I’ll be prepared if it rains” I muttered. Lance lifted my chin with his finger.

“Did the weather channel predict this?” he murmured his free fingers slid over my eyes closing my lids. Than I felt his press softly against mine, they were warm and soft. Before I could do anything my lips were cold and alone. I opened my eyes and saw Lance sitting back further gauging my reaction.

“You kissed me” I said softly. I wasn’t sure why but I felt if didn’t say it, it would be like it never happened, now things were changed.

“I did, I’m sorry” he whispered

“Why?” I asked.

“It just seemed right” he sighed.

“No I meant why did you apologize I didn’t stop you” I said smiling a little.

“I just didn’t know if the forecast was mutual” he said and I couldn’t help it when my lips curved upward into a full scale smile.

“Well don’t just sit there we have a boat to paint” I said playfully standing up. He followed suit standing and walking towards the paint. My dad walked in wearing his painting overalls.

“Lets get to work” he said clapping his hands together. We painted for hours, stained the deck multiple times and than we were through for the day. I loved this boat it was beautiful with its blue and white stripes and maple wood. It was a thing of beauty.

“I think we can call it a successful day” I sighed smiling at our handy work.

“I agree bear, I should go get cleaned up though I am taking your mother out tonight to real fancy dinner. She needs a break don’t you think?” he asked smiling proud of his idea I’m sure.

“That a great idea daddy she’ll love it” I beamed at him.

“Good, well don’t worry about Luce she is going to Annabel’s for the night” he smiled at me knowing I would enjoy not having to baby sit tonight.

“Thanks dad” I smiled appreciatively, he smiled than turned his attention to Lance.

“You’re welcome to stay and keep my little bear company as long as you protect her from those spiders” my dad laughed at his wit and I blushed.

“Thanks sir I might just do that” he smiled, and with that my stomach dropped to my knees. I wiped the little beads of perspiration from my forehead with a rag. My dad walked out of the shed and I turned to face the boy who was making me feel week in the knees. He looked down at me in return a sly grin on his face.

“You look highly suspicious” I laughed breaking the tense silence. He chuckled as he snaked one arm behind my waist pulling closer. With that one arm he lifted me onto the wooden crate that was just seconds ago behind me. I stopped giggling as he drew closer. His lips were in one swift smooth motion on mine again, this time I leaned into him slightly. Our lips moved slowly against each other taking in every detail of the other. His tongue traced my lips softly looking for a way in. I parted them ever so slightly, a gut reaction. He took the opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth and I let him, I let him explore as our tongues danced in pleasure. I felt every nerve in my body tingle with excitement. I pulled away to take a breath of air.

“Ahchem” I heard the clearing of a throat I turned to look at the door my eyes flew open as did Lance’s. I turned a deep scarlet and looked down at the floor.

“Hey Ace” Lance smiled not looking at all chagrined by the circumstances. In fact when I took in the expression on his face, he was happy and he was taking no care in being discreet.

“Hey man” Adrian laughed. I looked at Grace who was smiling in that kind of ‘I knew it’ way she does. I got up off the crate and walked over to her taking her by the hand walking out of the shed.

“So you’re just going for a run huh?” she laughed at me.

“I can’t explain, I just… I realized that ugh alright fine you win I like him I really like him” I grinned glad that it was she was the only one I was confessing to though I’m sure Lance had figured it out by now. She laughed hugging me in response.

“So, what are we doing for the rest of the day?” she asked hanging an arm over my shoulder as we walked back in the shed to find the boys laughing about something.