She, the Kingdom (She #1)(44)

Colton stared at me for a moment. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m just going to end up sweaty again. I’ll take a shower later. Before tonight.”

“You have plans?” I said, feeling a strange pang in my stomach.

“Yes, ma’am. Picnic in my uncle’s hayfield. You can see the city fireworks display perfect from there.”

The pang grew into a sadness, but I forced a smile. “That sounds great.”

“Good,” he said, taking off his ball cap and pulling his shirt over his head. His muscles stretched under his tan skin while he dug into the sack for a clean shirt. He pulled it on over his head and replaced his hat. Light brown wisps curled up from beneath it, still damp from his two and half hours in the sun. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“What?” I said as he grabbed the sack. He winked at me before closing my front door behind him.

I rushed up to the dining room window, pushing aside the curtain to watch him climb into his truck and wave before backing out. When he was out of sight, I couldn’t decide if I was ridiculously giddy, or worried Max would find out.





Chapter Thirteen

Amelia stood in front of my Keurig, waiting as the taupe liquid poured into the mug she’d borrowed. The temperature had surpassed the predicted one-hundred-eleven half an hour before, and my best friend was ready for the day in a bikini and sheer cover up.

“I can’t believe I’m drinking coffee. I can’t believe you’re drinking coffee,” Amelia said, taking the mug and leaning over the island to face me.

I sat on the stool, sipping on my third cup of the day. “At least you have a pool,” I said. I stared at the messy bun on top of her head, pulled back from a crown braid, wondering how she managed to make it look like a professional up-do.

“You’re welcome to come over. You need some sun.”

“I do?” I asked, looking down at my pasty skin. She was right, and I needed to kill time before Colton returned. My house was clean, and the few groceries I needed were bought and put away. I’d checked my email and social media. Laying by the pool was a significantly better alternative than watching soap operas. “I do. I’ll get dressed.”

“Undressed,” Amelia pointed out as I walked to the bedroom.

I sat on the edge of the pool, letting my legs sink into the cool water, shin-deep, while the rest of me dried in the sun. I was dripping wet and glad; the stamped cement would be sizzling my skin if I hadn’t jumped in first. The diving board acted as a waterfall, spitting a continuous, flat stream into the deep end. The relaxing sound was the only one, as we were surrounded by thirty acres of wheat fields five miles outside of town.

Amelia was wading in the shallows, holding up the hem of the black, sheer fabric of the cover-up that actually covered nothing at all. It reminded me more of a naughty nightie than an article of clothing that was meant to be modest. The pool was fed by their well, and ice cold, and still it was only a slight reprieve from the brutal sun.

I could already feel my skin burning by the time I slathered on sun screen, and Amelia laughed.

“You poor thing,” she said. “That Canadian blood seems allergic to the sun.”

“Shush it,” I snapped, rubbing in the thick white lotion.

“So, I hear Peaches is in town. Has she spoken to you? What does she think about the arrangement?”

“I didn’t know Peaches was in town.”

“Oh. The Kingstons are having a cookout tonight. I assumed you’d be invited.”

“I guess not,” I said, swirling my legs in the water. Spending the evening with Max and Sophie and their friends and family was not my idea of a good time. I paused. “Were you?”

Amelia hesitated. “Yes. But if you weren’t, I’m not going.”

“It’s okay. I’m not family.”

“They’ve practically adopted you. For them to invite everyone but you is just rude. I’ll hang out with you. We can cook your famous Pasta Fra Diavolo, and go down to the baseball field like we did in high school and lay on a blanket in the grass, staring up at the sky and guessing the colors of the fireworks before they burst.”

I smiled. “That sounds amazing. But I think your husband will feel lonely. It’s your first Fourth as a married couple. You should be with him.”

She seemed sad. “I don’t want you to be alone.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but thought better of it.

“What?” Amelia said, narrowing her eyes. “What were you going to say?”

“Nothing,” I said, looking at my feet in the water.

Amelia waded over to me. “Morgan Karina Rojas Clarke! Did you just lie to me?”

I made a face, trying my hardest to make it seem she was overreacting. “No.”

She pointed. “You’re omitting. That’s lying. And that’s against the rules, friend!”

I sighed. “I won’t be alone. I have plans.”

“With who?” Her mouth fell open, and she gasped. “You have a date with Colton, don’t you? I thought you cancelled!”

“Rescheduled,” I qualified. “Please don’t say anything.”

“So this is a secret date. That should tell you something.”

“Amelia…”