Read Online Last Chance Proposal by Barbara Deleo - Free Book Online Page B

for pushing the glowworm visit and hope that they were still planning on coming for Christmas.
    There were a hundred and one things to do in the next two days. Wrap presents, try to make the mock Christmas tree made from driftwood and seaweed stay upright. And through all that she’d try to stop thinking about the near-miss kiss with Cy at the barbecue. She’d replayed the moment their lips had almost touched over and over and the fantasy had grown from a fake attempt at a barbecue to a kiss in a bedroom, to a kiss while tangled in her sheets.
    Before she reached the house, Louis shot down the stairs and out the gate.
    “Louis,” she called. “Where are you going?” She walked more quickly. He had a towel tied around his neck like a cape and something colorful under each arm. He held them high.
    “Going to Jonty’s,” he called out. “Flying kites and boogie boarding. Mum’s gone to town.”
    Fleur had left to go into Papaatawhai, the neighboring town, for last-minute Christmas supplies and Ellie was supposed to be looking after her nephew. He was a great kid, but had the uncanny ability of sneaking off when she wasn’t watching.
    “Why the backpack?” she asked when she finally caught up to him, breath short. Faded jeans trailed from the top and a snorkel stuck out at an angle.
    “Cy said he’d take us out on the yacht to Aroha Island if it was windy. We’re gonna fly kites and maybe snorkel and catch some waves.” He kept walking as he called over his shoulder.
    “When did you organize this?” She struggled to keep up.
    He shrugged. “Last night, before dinner. He said we could do it on the next windy day. Mum said it was okay and Cy said to ask you and Mum if you wanted to come, too.”
    Her heart dropped. “Honey, I don’t think…I mean, after the scare Jonty had last night I’m not sure Cy will want to take him out on the yacht now.”
    “I went to their place this morning to check we were still going and Cy said we could.”
    Surprised, she looked down the beach and saw Cy and Jonty stepping out of their house. Cy looked up and waved and she held up her hand as her chest tightened.
    What would she say about what had happened with Jonty? “I can’t come, sorry,” she said. “I’ve got all sorts of things to get ready for Christmas Day.” She paused, trying to marshal her thoughts. “Did you ask your mum?”
    He shrugged. “She was cool.”
    Ellie rolled her lip through her teeth, indecision cutting deep. She was certain Cy would be careful, but maybe it was too much to look after two children and sail a yacht? What would Fleur say?
    She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone in case there was coverage. The big red cross on the screen said there wasn’t. Maybe they could get better cell coverage out here as part of the renovation.
    Looking out on the waves, she let out a long breath. She was being ridiculous. Louis would be fine. And if Fleur had agreed to it last night, who was she to argue?
    “Okay, you can go, Lou. Have a great time.” She moved toward the Starfish gate as Cy and Jonty walked toward her.
    “Hey,” Cy said, throwing her a skin-tingling grin. A deep blue rash guard pulled tight across his chest, and cut off cargos fringed at his tanned knees. The aviator glasses sat across his face, hiding any change in his eyes. “Coming sailing? Pete’s been maintaining the yacht like you said. I had a look at her yesterday, and I think she’s in better condition than when I left.”
    She concentrated on his face, looking for a sign that he was upset about last night. He looked exactly the same as he always did. Cool and sure.
    “I’m really sorry about last night,” she said, dropping her voice as she turned to look at Jonty. “Is he okay?”
    Cy ruffled his son’s hair. “I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”
    “Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t have tried to convince you to go to the glowworms, either.”
    “It was a timely