Chapter Fourteen
Being here this weekend was supposed to be a charade, so how come it didn’t feel that way? Chrissy stooped to pick up a small seashell and add it to the growing collection in a bag Wyatt carried. He’d suggested she gather them and take them home to share with Mom and Emma, which was super thoughtful of him. They’d been able to find quite a few of them so far.
They didn’t exactly have the beach to themselves, but everyone was so busy having fun and enjoying the water that conversations were usually short and in passing. Chrissy saw several family members she’d met before and was happy when they waved or spoke as though she’d been going to this reunion for years.
Most of her conversation with Wyatt over the last two hours had been fun and light, which was just fine after the heavier topics they’d covered earlier. Chrissy still couldn’t believe that his parents disapproved of his plans for Joyful Hope Stables. Good grief, if her kid had goals to put something together like that to benefit so many people, she’d not only be proud, but do what she could to help. She’d have to remember to put the smile on and act normal around them later, so she didn’t give a hint as to how she really felt about them.
She thought back to everything she’d told him as well. He hadn’t blamed her or made her feel silly. And he’d been right about Emma and what she would say if she knew how Chrissy felt. At this point, though, Chrissy wasn’t sure how to move forward or if that was even possible.
“Check this one out.” Wyatt held out a small shell with some purple on it.
“Wow, that’s really pretty.”
He smiled and added it to the collection before continuing their stroll down the beach.
Chrissy let her gaze linger on him. Maybe this was how she moved forward. Even if he was going to be Emma’s boss, it didn’t mean that Chrissy would be lingering around the country club. They’d already met each other’s family for the first time, and neither of them had run for the hills then, either.
Her heart started tripping over itself as she thought about the possibility.
Suddenly, a round of barking was followed by a small terrier racing across the sand to stop in front of Wyatt. It yapped several times more.
“Gizmo!” A man came running up behind the dog. From the way he was breathing, it was clear he’d been chasing it for a while. “Would you stop?”
Gizmo turned his back on his owner, walked up to Wyatt, lifted his leg, and proceeded to pee right on Wyatt’s left foot.
Wyatt’s jaw dropped, Gizmo’s owner’s face turned red, and Chrissy clamped her lips together to keep the laughter at bay.
The guy scooped the small dog into his arms with a reprimand. “Hey, man, I’m sorry about that.” The guy cringed and left with the dog.
Wyatt stared at Chrissy, a serious look on his face. His gaze shifted to his foot.
Chrissy tried to stop laughing but succeeded for only a moment before she snorted. She slapped a hand over her mouth. Normally, she might be embarrassed to have made such a sound, but this was just plain too funny, and giggles started to escape.
“Right. Because my leg looks like a fire hydrant.” He was still trying to maintain his composure, but one corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched as he walked into the waves far enough to wash his foot off. By the time he returned, she’d managed to get her humor under control. Well, mostly. She squeezed her right hand into a fist as hard as she could to keep from laughing again.
“Well,” he began, “I can honestly say that’s the first time that’s ever happened.”
“Who was that guy?”
“I don’t even know.”
That was all it took. Chrissy was giggling again, and this time, Wyatt joined her. His deep laughter did funny things to her heart and warmth spread through her body. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be laughing at this memory for a long, long time.”
“I sure hope this isn’t the only thing you’re going to remember from your weekend here.” It was said as a joke, but there was a measure of seriousness in his expression.
“No, it’s not the only thing.”
A wave came in, but Chrissy barely noticed. Wyatt was watching her face with such intensity she held her breath. He took several steps until they were nearly toe-to-toe.
“Good, I’m glad.”
Her pulse picked up tempo as he leaned in and covered her lips with his. A soft sigh escaped her, and that was all Wyatt needed. His free arm went around her waist and pulled her closer as their kiss deepened.
Chrissy melted into him, only aware of the two of them and the rhythmic feel of the waves swirling around their feet.
Until something wrapped itself around her ankle.
