Contents ( 66)
- Cover
- Books by Valerie Fraser Luesse
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Map of Florida
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- Epilogue
- Keep Reading for a Preview of Valerie Luesse’s Next Book!
- Prologue
- one
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Back Ads
- Back Cover
“We do,” Peyton said. “And thank Ramone for putting in a good word with the dock manager. We’ll get the boat to Daytona.”
“You might have trouble getting ferry work from there.”
“That’s okay. Got a backup plan for Daytona.”
“Alright then. Safe journey to you.”
Gina waved goodbye from the dock as Peyton and Lisa untied the boat and pulled out of the slip. They waved to her one last time before they left the harbor.
Bonnie and Jasper, who had been playing below deck, came back up once the boat began moving. They took their usual spots—Bonnie on Peyton’s lap and Jasper on Lisa’s.
“I feel sad, but I don’t know why,” Bonnie said.
“It’s always sad to leave a happy place behind,” Peyton said. “And it’s hard saying goodbye to people you love.”
“You love all them people back there?”
“I sure do.”
“You love me and Jasper?”
“Absolutely.”
Bonnie thought for a minute. “Well, what about Lisa? Do you love her?”
“You better believe it.”
“You sure got a bunch o’ love in you, Peyton,” Bonnie said with a sigh. “It’s a wonder it don’t spill out all over the place and make a big ol’ mess.”
forty-nine
Aunt Gert! Aunt Gert, come quick! There’s a race car in your driveway.” Kate had heard the sound of a big engine and looked out the living room window to see an older model Ford with the number 10 painted on the door.
“Katie, have you been breathin’ ammonia in there, cleaning that bathroom?” Aunt Gert called from the kitchen.
“No! Hurry up!”
Aunt Gert made it into the living room and looked out the window just as Peyton climbed out of the car.
“He’s back!” Both women screamed it together and nearly tripped over each other racing out the front door. “Peyton!” they yelled as they ran to him and smothered him with hugs and kisses.
“Hold on just a minute, ladies!” He laughed as he struggled to free himself. “I’ll be right with you.”
Peyton held the door open and helped three passengers out of the back seat while the driver climbed out from behind the wheel.
“Lisa?” Kate said. “I can’t believe it’s you, honey!” They hugged each other before Peyton introduced Lisa to his aunt.
“Miss Lisa, I have long waited to meet you, and you do not disappoint.”
“I’m so happy to meet you, Aunt Gert. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t call you that.”
“Oh yes you should.” Aunt Gert looked at Peyton. “I like her. She’s grade A. Now who else is with us?”
“This is my friend Will Fournier, who gave us a ride from Daytona,” Peyton said.
Will stepped around the car and made an awkward bow in the general direction of Kate and Aunt Gert.
“Well, we are in your debt, Will,” Aunt Gert said as she and Kate shook his hand.
“And these two,” Peyton said, “are Bonnie and Jasper.”
Kate knelt down between the children and put her arms around them. “Hello there.”