Page 29 of Suddenly Yours

Which, somehow, made me feel safer and more exposed at the same time.

The drive to the dock only took about two minutes, just long enough for the silence between us to feel noticeable, but not long enough for either of us to risk shattering it.

The docks were busier than I expected as the resort staff hauled fresh produce and crates toward the waiting ferry.

“Sarah warned me that today was employee swap day.” He shrugged. “I guess I hadn’t really thought about the dynamics of the lives of the people who worked there.”

“They have their own building,” I chimed in. “Sarah told me the first time I stayed there. There is a whole building dedicated to staff apartments. Some employees stay weeks at a time, others just days. Either way, anyone who works there has a place to stay while they are there.”

He nodded as he hauled our bags toward the ferry.

Standing in the wheelhouse of the boat was the last person anyone would expect to see operating a small-town transport vessel.

JT Whistler, yes, that JT Whistler, the best-selling author of some of the spookiest thriller books and movies to be released in the past five years. JT was Cora’s older brother, and Cora was my sister-in-law, so that would make us somehow related. Right?

JT and his wife, the famous actress Emma Wilder, and their children, Sophia and Liam, were a staple in the bakery now.

The man stepped out onto the deck with a grin big enough to be seen from shore.

“Well, well,” he called down to us. “Are you here to fix something else that I managed to break?”

Cade chuckled. “Not this time. Sarah’s got a long list for me at the resort though. She’s put us up for the night to compensate.”

JT’s eyes landed on me, bright and mischievous. “That sounds fun.” He walked over and lightly hugged me. The last time I’d seen him, he’d been trying to wrangle his kids in the bakery. “Sophia and Liam are begging me to take them to your place tomorrow for donuts.” He rolled his eyes. “I swear since you opened up, my kids have become addicted to your donuts.”

I laughed. “Sorry, not sorry.”

“So, is there something going on here?” JT joked, nudging me as he wiggled his eyebrows.

My face flushed instantly.

Cade groaned. “Please ignore anything he says.” He turned to JT. “You know that Missy and I are best friends.”

“Ah, that’s right.” He crossed his arms like he was meeting a celebrity. “I’m just messing around with you. Rumors were swirling about a man buying you flowers.”

“My ex,” I admitted. “Who will remain so.”

I turned to Cade, who looked like he wanted to throw JT into the ocean.

Cade muttered. “Don’t ask. We’re keeping him at bay.”

JT nodded. “Come on aboard.”

We followed him up the ramp. The ferry was beautifully maintained with fresh white paint, polished brass rails, and neatly coiled ropes. JT didn’t do anything halfway.

We settled onto one of the side benches as the ferry rumbled to life. The wind carried the scent of saltwater and pine, and it was cool as it lifted the hair from my neck, despite the sun that was still high enough in the sky to warm us.

“So,” JT said as he steered one-handed, “big weekend plans over there at East Haven. They’ve got some fancy event going on. VIP stuff. I hope they won’t get in your way. Some of them can be a little… dramatic.”

Cade snorted. “We’ll keep out of their way, that’s for sure.”

“Cade has done some good work out at my place too,” JT said proudly. “The man can rewire a hundred-year-old house without cussing once. Which I consider very impressive.”

“Oh, he cusses plenty,” I said. “Usually at me.”

JT roared with laughter.

Cade nudged my knee with his. “Only when you deserve it.”