Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
After work, Dune texted Caroline to let her know he would be at the cottage around six and to be ready. He drove back to his house and felt relieved when he saw that no one was home at his parents’. He showered quickly, dressed in his finest clothes, and sprayed the cologne Caroline seemed to like so much.
Dune stopped at the store and bought Caroline a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. This was way out of his norm, but he felt good about what he was doing. He set the flowers on the passenger seat and kept the chocolates under the seat to keep the sun off of them.
He drove to the cottage, which took longer than normal because of the amount of traffic on the roads. It was going to get worse with each week that passed. By August, the roads would be so congested, he’d park his Bronco and just take his boat everywhere.
For the first time since he and Caroline started dating—or doing whatever they were doing— he was late by fifteen minutes. He hated being late, but here he was, rushing up the stairs to the cottage, out of breath and angry with the erratic drivers on the road.
Dune knocked, even though he’d been staying there most nights. She came to the door, wearing a deep red dress that took his breath away. He gawked and his mouth dropped open. He looked from the dress and the high silt to her face and surveyed her hair. She made it a point to tell him she’d got it done so the least he could do is complement it. Except, he couldn’t tell what was different.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman and tell you that I like your hair but—”
Caroline laughed. “It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to notice. It was a touch up to my highlights and lowlights. Nothing different than what you saw yesterday.”
“Phew.” He wiped his forehead. The last thing he wanted to do was not notice the small things. His dad noticed everything and always encouraged the boys to take in the bigger picture. “You look amazing, Caroline. Simply stunning. I have half the mind to keep you home because I don’t want anyone gawking at you. Except for me. Um, these are for you.” He thrusted his hand forward, almost like an awkward teenager.
Caroline took the flowers and brought them to her nose. “Roses are my favorite. These smell heavenly. And chocolates, too. You know the way right to my heart.”
“If this is all it took, I would’ve brought them weeks ago.” Dune smiled and reached for her. She stepped into his arms and kissed him happily.
“If we don’t leave, we’re going to be late.”
She laughed. “Let me put these in water real quick and grab my purse.”
He stepped in and waited for her to get her things. They’d end up coming back to her place later. It was easier. Not only was it closer, but she didn’t have the looky-loo known as his mother peering out her window to see if Dune was home.
Dune held his arm out for her to take, and once they were down the stairs, he slipped his hand into hers. While they walked, he glanced at her, and felt lucky. He was so damn blessed to be by her side. Caroline could have anyone, and she was on his arm—the local boat captain.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She gripped his arm with her other hand. “Everything is a surprise with me. I think it’s time for me to take you out.”
“Yeah? What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m going to think of something. I’ve loved everything you’ve planned. It’s nice that you don’t need my input on our dates.”
“Sometimes input is nice, but since you’re new here, there’s a whole lot I can show you for the first time. I’m sort of at an advantage.”
“True. But I can cook for you.”
“You could. I’d love that.”
“Deal. Maybe this week sometime.”
“You tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”
They passed by the Sea Shanty, which had live music for the night. Caroline peered inside with a look of longing on her face.
“We can go later, if you want.” Dune told her.
“You don’t like it in there.”
“True, but I like you and you like it there.” He couldn’t believe the words as they came out of his mouth. He hated the Sea Shanty, mostly because it was an overpriced bar which took advantage of the tourists. There were other bars in town they could go to, that he could show her.
“You’re so sweet, Dune. I’m really enjoying my time with you.”
“Me too.”
They turned the corner and stopped behind the last person in line. Caroline looked around and then saw the small marquee. “Are we seeing To Kill a Mockingbird?”