Hope Creek by Janet Dailey

Author:Janet Dailey [Dailey, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Kit tugged a pink short-sleeved T-shirt over her head, glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the dresser, then, frowning, yanked it back off.

“Hey, you ready yet?” Royal’s deep voice and heavy knock sounded on her closed bedroom door. “Mackey’s ’bout to have a fit to get going, they’ll be here any minute, and I need your help packing and loading the coolers on the boat. A body can’t do any sort of decent shrimping without cold soda or beer.”

“I’ll be out in just a minute,” she said, grabbing a blue T-shirt she’d discarded a half hour ago and tugging it back over her head. “I’m just brushing my hair.”

“Well, brush it faster. The shrimp don’t care what your hair looks like.”

No . . . but Beau might notice. Kit rolled her eyes and rubbed her temples. This was ridiculous. It was absolutely ridiculous to spend this much time choosing what to wear and agonizing over her appearance just to board a stinky shrimp boat and get blown around like a rag doll in the wind. She was a thirty-eight-year-old woman and above such vanity. Beau had already noticed her and must’ve been attracted to her—after all, he’d kissed her, for heaven’s sake—which made all this worry over an outfit even more ridiculous.

She jerked the T-shirt down over her waistband, stuffed her feet in her tennis shoes, and grabbed one of the light jackets Viv had left behind in the closet. No need to be late or keep Royal and Mackey waiting. They were going on a shrimping trip, not attending a gala.

Still, she slowed in front of the mirror once more and smoothed a hand over her ponytail before opening the door.

“Good night above, girl. You’d think I’d asked you to put on formal attire.”

Kit stopped and stared.

Royal stood in front of her, dressed in jeans and a neatly pressed T-shirt. His hair had been combed down, and his face was clean-shaven, revealing his handsome features.

“Dad . . . you . . .” She shook her head. “Your beard?”

Royal smiled, flashing even white teeth. “Gone. It was itching me.” He rubbed his fingers over his chin and smiled widely. “Smoother than butter. Forgot what it feels like. And I woke up refreshed this morning—first time that’s happened in ages. Must’ve been all that fussing with Nate yesterday that wore me out.”

Kit stared, taking in the strong angles of his face and the bright, rested look of his eyes. He looked at least ten years younger. “You just . . . you look so different.”

“Well, hitch your jaw back together and stop your gaping.” He turned and walked down the hall, then paused, glanced back at her, and winked. “I’ve always been a handsome man.”

It took Kit and Royal ten minutes to fill three coolers with ice and pack each with soda cans, bottled water, and beer. She would’ve finished faster, but she couldn’t stop looking at Royal. The transformation—courtesy of a shave and lifted spirits—was remarkable.

Royal, Mackey,

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