Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(34)

“Very proud.” I smile as Grace sits opposite of us, so she can see us and takes her sunglasses off.

“I don’t know how I’ll get down. Me going down a ladder doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“You can slide down the slide,” Jenna suggests, and just like that my anxiety is in high gear again.

“I’ll help you down the ladder,” I offer immediately.

Grace just laughs, oblivious to my inner turmoil and changes the subject.

“Did you hear that Louise Summers sold her clothing boutique in town?”

“I did,” Jenna says with a nod. “Didn’t she retire?”

“Yes, and Willa Monroe bought it. She’s doing some remodeling, and I saw her in the grocery store last week, and she said she’s going to update it, make it super pretty and trendy. Bring in some higher end clothing lines. I’m excited to see what she does.”

“I always liked Willa,” Jenna says with a smile.

“Who is Willa?” I ask.

“Willa and Max used to date in high school,” Jenna replies and shakes her head. “My stupid brother let her get away. She’s widowed now, with a little boy, Jack.”

“He’s adorable,” Grace says. “Has Max seen her since he’s been home?”

“I doubt it,” Jenna replies and looks around to make sure her brother isn’t in ear shot. “I told him to call her, but he’s a stubborn ass.”

“Well, she’s having a fun grand opening party next Friday evening, and I think we should go.”

“That sounds fun,” I reply. “I’m in.”

“Me too,” Jenna adds. “Cunningham Falls can use a trendy new clothes store. Let’s plan a night of it.”

“Are you guys up there?” Jacob calls out from the lower deck.

“We are,” Grace calls back.

“We have food down here. I’ll come get you, love.”

Before Grace can reply, he’s scaled up the ladder and scoops her up in his arms, kissing her sweetly.

“How are you?” he asks.

“I’m just fine. I wasn’t going to try to go down the ladder without you.”

“Good girl.” He nuzzles her neck, then walks to the ladder and sets her down, wedging her between him and ladder, helping her down.

“He’s sweet,” Jenna says. “And hello, British accent.”

“I know, it ups the hot factor,” I reply with a laugh. “Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

We shimmy down the ladder to find everyone back on the pontoon.

“There you are,” Brad says and pulls me to him for a kiss that makes my toes curl. “You look beautiful in this suit.”

“Thank you. What is there to eat?”

“Sandwiches, salads, and cookies for dessert. Oh, and some fruit.”

Max and Brad give each other a hard time about their water skiing adventure, Jenna, Jacob, and Grace are chatting in a corner, and Mary and Bruce are eating, watching us all with content faces.

“Are you happy to be home?” I ask them.

“Always,” Bruce says with a wink. “We hardly left for thirty years because I always worked so damn much. It’s been good to see some of the world with my bride.”

I smile, watching how sweet Brad’s parents are with each other. What must it have been like to grow up in a house that was functional?

I glance at Brad and Max, both still shirtless and in their drying swim trunks, chatting and laughing while eating their sandwiches. It’s clear they all get along well, that they care for each other. The wealth that Max has come into in the past few years hasn’t changed his dynamic with his family.

And let’s be honest, the two Hull boys standing shirtless together is a sight to behold.

“What are you thinking over there?” Brad asks, pulling me out of my own head.

“I’m just sitting here,” I reply and grin when he takes my hand and pulls me into his lap, nuzzling my ear with his nose. “That tickles, and your parents are right there.”

“They’ve done this many times,” he says and winks at me. “Are you having fun?”

“Absolutely. It’s the perfect day to be on the lake.”

“Do you want to go for a run on the tube after lunch?”

“No, thanks.” I wrinkle my nose, feeling the anxiety rush up inside of me, but I act calm and collected in front of his family and my friends. “I don’t think I want to get my hair wet.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

He frowns, watching me closely. “You brought a bag that has stuff in it for if you swim.”

“I just decided I don’t want to swim today.”

Please drop this.

“But you can go if you want to. I’ll watch,” I continue.

“You’re being silly. You’re a great swimmer. Just last month, we went kayaking up at Bowman Lake, and she fell in,” he tells the others, making us all laugh. “But she pulled herself right out. You’re not afraid of the water.”

Not that water.

The next thing I know, he’s standing with me in his arms, walking to the edge of the boat.

“Don’t.”