Read Online Worth the Wait by Jamie Beck - Free Book Online

determined to push past it.” Vivi paused. “That said, I can’t believe he loves her. Not that he loves me, of course.” She peered at Hank from beneath her lashes. “You think I’m crazy.”
    “Not crazy. Maybe disillusioned.” He grinned at her before shoving his hands into his pockets. “Why do you doubt his feelings for Laney?”
    “Laney seems nice enough, but I know him. He couldn’t love someone so . . . dry.” Vivi noted Hank’s dubious expression and knew he disagreed. “Lust after her body, yes. Admire her ambition and intelligence, sure. Love? I don’t think so.”
    The sound of hurried footsteps scattering the gravel behind them interrupted their conversation. Within an instant, David caught up to them. Heat rushed to Vivi’s face. She hoped he hadn’t heard.
    “Laney took a conference call, so I can come after all.” His hands rested on his hips and he nodded at Hank. Shifting his gaze to Vivi, he smiled. “Let’s go to Rodman’s Hollow, for old time’s sake.”
    “Sure,” she answered. She smiled in spite of the uneasiness wrestling her body. Had David or Hank detected the catch in her voice? “Let’s go.”
    Together the threesome continued alongside the paved road. David’s words and actions confirmed he wanted to reconnect with her, if only as a friend. Why didn’t she feel happier?
    Hank broke the uncomfortable silence settling over them. “So, how long have you been coming here, David?”
    “Fifteen years.” His stride matched Hank’s, while Vivi trailed two steps behind them. “It’s your first time, right? How do you like the island?”
    “It’s a more rustic version of Nantucket.”
    “Yes, there are similarities. I like the quiet here.” David rubbed his neck. “It’s named for the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, but the Native Americans called it Manisses , meaning ‘God’s little island.’ Whatever its name, I’m glad my mother won this battle.”
    “Battle?” Hank asked.
    “Initially, my dad refused to buy property here because it didn’t make financial sense. My mom had argued that value couldn’t always be measured on a balance sheet, and time spent together here would be priceless.” David clasped his hands behind his back. “Anyway, she wore him down, although he’s never really taken to the place.”
    “Why hasn’t he put it up for sale?” Vivi piped in.
    David’s shocked expression revealed he’d never before considered the possibility. “He’d probably love to sell it and reinvest the money elsewhere.” A joyless chuckle punctuated his remark. “But Cat would kill him. He’d never risk it.”
    Vivi giggled. “No one wants to suffer her wrath, do they?”
    “No.” David shuddered with exaggeration. “No, they don’t.”
    Hank’s odd expression aroused Vivi’s curiosity about the prickly vibe between Cat and him. Maybe she should scuttle her matchmaking plans.
    They meandered down Cherry Hill Road, avoiding the occasional car or bike that passed by. Vivi concentrated on the rhythmic scuffing of their feet against the pavement to keep her thoughts off David. Awkward minutes stretched like hours until Vivi spied the hollow’s entrance near Cooneymus Road.
    “So, what is this place, anyway?” Hank asked as they descended into the wooded reserve.
    “About twenty thousand years ago, glacial meltwater eroded the southern end of the island, leaving three large kettle holes.” David’s hands gestured as he spoke, and Vivi noted the gleam in his eye. “Most of the hundreds of depressions on the island have clay bottoms and hold water, but here the bottom is porous. Those who think parts of the hollow sit below sea level are wrong. The actual bottom of the deepest kettle hole is about twenty feet above sea level. It’s also—”
    “Geek!” interjected Vivi, waving her hands in the air. “Hank, we’re roaming along dirt paths in the wilderness where everything is nice and quiet. Ignore him or he’ll try to scare you with a