Read Online The Best of June by Tierney O’Malley - Free Book Online Page A

her back, the crisp air enveloped her hot skin and the birds singing drove away her fear, sorrow, apprehension and pain. She didn’t want to get up and leave her spot under the heat of the sun. This was lovely. But something blocked her sun.
    “No. Move away,” she said.
    “June.”
    She tried to move, but couldn’t. Someone loomed above her. Annoyed, she pushed hard.
    “June! Open your eyes. You’re dreaming.”
    June blinked, trying to reorient herself. She wasn’t on a beach, but in Henry’s yacht.
    Oh, my God!
    “Henry?”
    He nodded.
    “I’m sorry. I forgot where I was.”
    “It’s all right. You okay?”
    “Yeah.” As soon as Henry moved, she sat up. “What time is it?”
    “Just a few minutes before five. Honey, you should put your clothes on. Right away.”
    “Right away?”
    “Yes.”
    June’s heart sank. They were leaving. Maybe Henry had changed his mind about sailing for three days. “Uhm, okay. I’ll get ready and pack my things.”
    “Pack your… No, silly puss. We’re not going back to the marina. We’re just going up. Put your pajamas on. And this. It’s a bit chilly out.”
    June looked at the oversized coat. She would probably disappear in it. “Thank you.”
    “Five minutes?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I’ll meet you above.” Henry planted a loud kiss on her mouth then left the bedroom. She wondered what he was up to at this early. Letting out a tired yawn, she quickly dressed.
     
    * * * *
     
    Stacey had been calling and texting Henry since she’d left, but he’d sent only a couple of brief replies. Someone had told her that he had left the marina with a woman. Was he really that busy with the bitch that he’d taken her on his yacht? Fuck! She dropped her briefcase so hard on the glass table that she heard it creak.
    Goddamn it! She thought…shit. What had she thought? That Henry loved her? Stacey paced around the room. Yes, damn it. He wouldn’t stick with her this long if he didn’t.
    The manager at the marina’s club couldn’t tell who the woman was. For all Stacey knew, the bitch could be his friend or someone he needed for his business. But no matter how hard she’d tried to convince herself that Henry wouldn’t cheat on her, pain still lacerated her heart. She’d never felt this green-eyed monster toward any woman—only with Henry.
    Maybe he wasn’t happy with her because she’d turned down his offer of driving her to Olympia, but she’d done it many times. This had been the first time that she’d heard of Henry taking a woman to his yacht.
    As soon as her meeting was over, she’d see him. She’d apologize if she had to. Fishing her phone out of her purse, she dialed Henry’s number again. Her call, however, automatically went to his voicemail. Fuck!
     
    * * * *
     
    June couldn’t have had prepared herself for the shocking view that greeted her. The yacht sat in the middle of a thin mist floating on water. Dark clouds veiled the tips of the mountains and the islands looked as if they wore a fog skirt. The stars still littered the sky. There was no sign of other boats. It was like being in a mythical place, away from civilization.
    Wow.
    “Hey there.” Henry walked toward her. His hair was mussed, his long-sleeved shirt wrinkled and his low rider jeans rode low on his hips.
    Lord, what a seductive man.
    June noticed a small table covered with a white cloth. There was a white coffee pot and a basket of bread on top. “What’s this? A picnic at five in the morning?”
    Henry actually gave her a shy smile. It was so endearing. As soon as he stood close, she gave him a kiss. “Something else?”
    “You have to wait a few more minutes.” Henry pulled her in for a tight hug. “How are you?”
    “I feel like I’m in a fantasy land. I love the view.”
    “Me too. Now, look at the horizon. This is my surprise for you.”
    June pointed her gaze to the thin black line that separated the sky and calm water. Then, before her eyes, the sky turned a pale