Finn (Casella Cousins #3) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,8
face, she sprayed the surfaces of the thirty-one-foot boat with cleaner she found in a cabinet. There was seating for eight on the L-shaped, beige leather benches, though Finn would be at the wheel a lot of the time. He’d stop at a cove and throw down the anchor when they ate.
A half hour later, the others arrived. They got a real kick out of the fancy transportation every year. Some of them were shy, so she made a point of engaging Craig and Lorna, who religiously inventoried the books and kept the shelves stocked. And Joe Monti who cleaned the store every night.
Finn came up to the deck with two buckets filled with bottles of champagne. “Hi, guys. I’m glad you’re here.”
Greetings from them, and murmurs of thanks abounded. Finn popped the cork, poured the bubbly and when everyone had some, he lifted his glass. “To Fitzgerald’s and all the people who keep it open.”
After they enjoyed the champagne, Millie released the ropes from the dock and they set sail out in the water. Finn looked devastatingly handsome in a Captain’s hat, which he’d put on for show. Once they got moving, she’d donned a baseball cap and stuffed her long hair into it too.
They ate a fabulous meal of cold shrimp and lobster, warm croissants with brie, a variety of fruits and a couple of salads. Afterward, Erin took off her shirt and pants. She was gorgeous in a bikini. Max Pickney whistled. And Judy rolled her eyes. All three of the clerks liked each other and worked well together.
“What?” she said when Millie stared at her. “It’s mid-day and the sun’s hot, even for this time of year.”
After a few hours of more chatter and dessert and some sunbathing, they motored back to the dock and moored the boat. When the others packed up and headed to the limo, Millie went to the wheel where Finn stood. “Have fun?” he asked.
“Yeah. This was so nice. Thank you again. But, Finn, I’d like to ride—”
A gust of wind blew off her hat. Her hair went wild. She recovered it and tried to stuff the messy locks back in.
“Here, let me help.”
Oh, no, no.
Behind her, he gathered her hair in his hands. “Hmm, this is lovely.”
“It’s a pain in the neck.”
He took his time but instead of putting it in a ponytail, Dear Lord in heaven, he braided her hair. His knuckles skimmed her nape as he continued the process.
“H-how do you know how to do this?” she asked
“Hayley’s got long hair. She taught me. Do you have a tie?”
She slipped one out of her pocket.
When he finished, he grasped her arms from behind. “Will you stay and help me pack up stuff? We’ll put the leftovers in the fridge at the store.”
She pivoted around. It took every ounce of her strength to say, “I’m sorry, Finn, I can’t. But Erin offered to help with this part. She’s down below now, dealing with the food.”
He scowled. Not a frown, but a deep scowl. “Do you have plans tonight?”
“No. Grandma and Grandpa have had Scout a lot lately and I want to get home to relieve them. He can be a handful if I’m gone too long.” Which was a bald-faced lie.
She started away and he grasped her arm again. “Is something wrong, Millie?”
“No, of course not. Again, I had a great day. Thank you.”
She drew back, and his hand dropped from her arm. She had to get away from him.
* * *
“This looks wonderful, Finn.”
“My manager did the set up.”
Millie had a knack for décor and together they’d designed the book store itself when he expanded. He smiled. They’d had fun with that, and though they disagreed on certain things, there was laughter involved.
“The color of the table’s drape accents my book cover,” Sabrina added. “How sweet.”
“Hmm.” He checked his watch. “People should be coming in soon.” One of the moveable stacks had been wheeled to the back so the space was large enough to have three rows of chairs and standing room out into the bookstore proper. “Should we wait till it’s full and announce you?”
“Let’s do that when the seats fill up.”
“All right.”
“I’ll go the ladies’ room and check my makeup.”
No need for Sabrina to refresh her face. She was perfectly groomed, and wore a deep green dress that was form-fitting and flattering.
He had a sudden flash of Millie on the boat yesterday, her hair flying all over the place, her t-shirt and beige pants casual.
Concentrate, Finn!
In