out late,” she murmured as she dropped some silverware in his tub. “Till one o’clock.”
“Even then, I don’t think we’ll have enough time for both a dinner and a movie.”
“Well then, let’s skip the dinner and just hit the drive-in.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. Didn’t she know what went on at drive-ins?
“And don’t get any ideas, Marshall. I don’t know you that well.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.” He liked that forthright innocence she had about her — like she was naïve but still in charge of her own fate. “So, I’ll meet you up at your house about 10:30. I gotta take a shower first.”
“No . . . I’ll come down. Just meet me here.”
“Laurel, are you sure your father okayed this? I don’t want to have to look for another job tomorrow.”
“Oh, absolutely. It’s fine with Daddy. It’s just Mama.”
He frowned. “What did I do to get on her bad side?” Mrs. Elliot hadn’t shown up anywhere on the marina since he’d been there. Usually mothers waited to meet him before taking an active dislike.
“That’s not it. She’s just not feeling well and won’t want any company up at the house.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
Laurel bit her lip. “Oh no, she’ll be fine.” Her voice indicated that she didn’t want to discuss it anymore, and she gave him a weak smile. He decided not to press the issue. Whatever was going on with her mother, she would tell him when she was ready. He looked over at the kitchen door and saw Mr. Elliot watching them. The man had the most unnerving stare, not unlike his daughter.
“Okay, but come down to the boat if you don’t mind. I don’t want to be one of those creepy guys standing out under the street lights beside the dock.”
She laughed. “Fine.” She disappeared into the kitchen, giving her father a bright smile as she sailed past.
* * *
James was ready when Laurel knocked on the houseboat door and called to him.
“Come in,” he called back, putting his wallet in his back pocket and picking up his boat key off the coffee table.
She opened the door and stepped in, looking around the place. “It’s different than I remember. The Pendletons must have redecorated since I was here last.”
“What? Oh . . . yeah, I guess. Hey, you want a Coke or something?”
She turned and eyed him up and down in a frank assessment of his appearance that made his ears burn. He had no idea how a girl who’d never been on a date before could make a guy like him blush, so he decided to turn the tables on her.
“You look pretty.” And she did. Blue jean cutoffs and a green v-neck tee showed off her svelte figure to its best advantage. Her hair tumbled in slightly damp curls about her face and shoulders. She did that girl-next-door look very well.
That seemed to unnerve her a bit, but she managed to mutter a, “Thank you. You look real nice too.”
“Are you set then?”
Laurel nodded. “I’m glad you don’t have some stupid idea that the guy always has to drive.”
“I gave up stupid ideas the night I came here, remember? Besides, a guy without a car takes a ride wherever he can find it.” He turned back to lock the door and they started off toward the shore, walking in silence along the dock.
“I’m saving for a car. Blew up the motor in my other one — driving too fast.”
“How fast were you going?” she asked, brows raised.
“Hundred fifteen.” He looked down, a bit embarrassed.
“James! That’s so dangerous! Gosh, you’re lucky you didn’t really hurt yourself. Driving like that on the mountain roads around here will get you killed.”
“Don’t worry; I learned my lesson. I’ve been hoofing it for a year and a half now, and I can’t wait until I can afford another set of wheels. I’ll take care of the car this time.” His grin had a touch of mischief in it.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m working this summer. I figure by the time I go back to school, I’ll have enough for a decent, used pick-up with great gas mileage and a reliable engine.”
“I’ll be without a car at school this fall, but Benton’s a pretty small campus, so I’ll just take my bike.”
There was a lull in the conversation as they approached the truck. He followed her to the driver’s side and reached around her to open the door. She got in and turned to him in surprise.
He shrugged.