“Indeed. Sassy didn’t want me to spill her secret.”
“Man, that feels good.” Calvin’s mouth is hanging open. Although, that might be because Haley is rubbing the salve over his other knee.
Zane laughs. “Careful, Little Bird. I think his eyes are going to roll into the back of his head.”
“No careful. No stop,” Calvin grunts, his head hitting the back of the camp chair.
“More later.” Haley kisses the top of his nose. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Like isn’t anywhere near enough to describe it,” Calvin moans.
Haley hops off his lap and takes another package out. This one’s larger. “Dante.” She hands it to him, beaming.
“Sassy, whatever could this be?”
“Hush, I told you to stay off the beach. You weren’t supposed to know.”
He carefully unwraps a beautiful basket. It’s honestly the best she’s made.
“It’s perfect, thank you.” He places it in the middle of the table and pulls her in for a deep kiss.
“Easton.” She hands him a small package. Everyone else seems to know what’s going to be in it. But then, I’ve been on the derelict beach for weeks. There’s a lot I’ve missed.
“Thank you.” Inside his package is a piece of sea glass encased in a twine cage hanging from a leather strap. “This is beautiful. The bubble inside looks like a heart.”
Haley’s ponytail bobs. “That’s what I thought too.”
“I love it.” He puts it on and gives her a long kiss as well.
“Zane.” Whatever is wrapped in the leaves looks heavy.
“Whoa, Little Bird, what’s in here?”
“You don’t know? I thought I had given away all my surprises.” She claps.
“I haven’t the faintest.”
“Wait, open this one first.” Haley hands him a smaller package. “I’ve been doing some experimenting, too. I think this should work, but I want to keep trying to get it perfect.”
Zane peels away the leaves and holds up a white drop of I’m not sure what.
“Okay, now the other one.”
Zane’s eyebrows shoot up, and his smile consumes his face. “No way. A slate and chalk to help me figure out the rest of the code without using up the last of the agenda paper. Brilliant.”
“I didn’t know about Sam’s?—”
“It’s bloody brilliant. I won’t waste anything this way. Agenda or Sam’s paper.”
“I’m glad you like it. Easton helped a lot with it.”
“Thank you, mate.” Zane draws a smiley face on the slate and a soccer ball. “This is my favorite gift ever.” He puts his supplies on the table and dips Haley in a kiss.
“Whoa is right.” She laughs. “Now I’m dizzy.” She stands and then comes to me.
I hold my arms open for her, and she sits on my lap.
“Now he looks like Father Christmas, with all that salt in his beard.”
