See Jane Love - By Debby Conrad Page 0,20

a little apprehensive when it came to the waves. Bending over, Gabe scooped her into his arms.

“You won’t let the sharks eat me, will you?”

“No, sweetheart. I won’t.” He’d told her repeatedly this afternoon there were no sharks in Lake Erie, but she obviously didn’t believe him. “Sharks don’t like little girls anyway, they like to eat six-year-old boys,” he said, winking at Travis.

His nephew laughed and ran toward the waves without a care, splashing two bikini-clad girls in the process. Gabe had a feeling he’d splashed them on purpose. He also knew that If Janie had come with them, he would have enjoyed splashing her. Men. Will we ever grow up? he wondered.

After forty-five minutes, the kids had exhausted him, and they headed back to shore. But as they drew closer to their spot in the sand, Gabe realized Janie wasn’t alone. A guy who looked old enough to be her father sat beside her, ogling her breasts. Or breast, rather. Gabe noticed one was deflated, and there was a wad of tissue lying on the blanket beside her.

Janie looked up and smiled brightly when she saw them. “Livvy, Travis, this is Rob.” Then she stood, picked up a bright colored towel, and wrapped it around Livvy’s shoulders.

Rob said hello to the kids. “Your aunt has been telling me all about you two.”

Livvy tugged on Gabe’s swim trunks. “We’re not supposed to talk to strangers.”

Gabe nodded. “That sounds like a good rule we should all follow,” he said, directing his comment to Janie, who only rolled her eyes at him.

“Rob, this is Gabe Montero.”

Rob stood, sized up Gabe, and then stuck out his hand. “Rob Strauss. An old friend.”

Gabe shook hands with the man, guessing him to be in his early fifties. A poor excuse for a toupee sat on the top of his head and a skimpy black Speedo barely covered his meager package.

“Rob and I used to teach at the same school, before I left to write full time,” Janie explained.

When Gabe only nodded, Rob flexed his scrawny muscles and puffed out his hairless chest. “Well, it was great seeing you again, Janie, but I have to get to the gym. I’ll call you about tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?” Gabe asked before Mr. Sleaze ball could run off.

“Yes,” Janie answered for him. “Rob and I are going to see a movie and maybe stop for a drink.”

“Uh, huh.” Gabe flung his arm around Janie and pulled her to his side. “That sounds like fun. Will your wife be joining us?” he asked, once he was sure the kids weren’t listening. Both were busy digging with their shovels, putting the finishing touches on the castle they’d been working on before going swimming.

“Rob’s divorced.”

Glancing at the guy’s left hand, Gabe said, “Oh, I just assumed since you were wearing a wedding ring that you were married.”

Rob flashed a guilty look at Janie. “Actually, Betty and I are separated. Or we will be soon. We’re . . . having some problems at the moment.”

Janie’s mouth opened wide. “Well, you know what I think, Rob? I think you should take Betty out tomorrow night, instead of me. Besides, I just remembered that I can’t go out with you tomorrow night. I have to wash my hair.”

“But--” Rob was about to argue, then caught Gabe’s warning look. “Uh, maybe you’re right. I gotta go pump some iron. It was great seeing you.”

As soon as Mr. Sleaze ball rushed off, Janie removed Gabe’s hand from her shoulder and dropped to the blanket. “That jerk!”

Gabe sat down beside her. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

“Well, I’m not going to waste my time worrying about him. There are plenty of other men.”

“You’re right,” he said absently, reaching for the ball of tissues. “Maybe you should stick this back in your bathing suit top and see if you can reel in a few more before we leave.”

“Give me that,” she demanded, then stuffed the wad down the front of her suit.

Gabe snorted and shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with having small breasts. Some guys even prefer small breasted women to women with big ju--” He stopped short. “You know what I mean.”

“Oh, sure. I wasn’t born yesterday, Montero. I know what men want.”

He rolled onto his stomach, made himself comfortable and rested his on his folded arms. “Janie, you don’t have a clue.”

She lay down as well and propped her chin in her hands. Gabe tried not to stare at her pert little behind.

“Well, I’ll admit