Callie was still with the children when Jim came home from his golf game. He found me in the kitchen and spun me around and into his arms. He had originally put off kissing me because he'd want more, but now he kissed me whenever we were alone.
I wanted more. It awakened me from a deep sleep and I didn't want to sleep again. I longed for his affection, his touch, his lips.
We kissed, and he groaned when we separated. "I missed you."
"You were playing a game you love." I laughed.
"I might like something else more." He stared into my eyes.
Suddenly my heart tightened. "What's that?"
"Being with you. You."
I wasn't certain if he was telling me he loved me. I thought I might. No, I knew I easily could love him. "Go sit. I have lunch ready."
He did as I asked. When I brought our plates, we ate in silence for a while. He took my hand and broke the silence. "Tell me now if you think I'm too old. If you're, um, if you're not attracted to me."
"Oh, but I am. You should know since I'm younger, I, um, I haven't had. I think I'd still need birth control." I whispered as the heat blazed in my cheeks. I looked down refusing to meet his eyes.
He laughed. "Darling, I took care of that years ago. When the boys were small, Deb decided having three boys was too big of a risk. She said she settled on sharing Paige. I couldn't give you a child if you wanted one."
I laughed. "At almost forty-eight, I absolutely do not."
"When is Callie due home?" Jim winked.
"Anytime I suppose. She spends a lot of time there. Should I be worried?"
"Don't invite trouble. Women waste lots of time worrying when they could do other things. If we can't ..." He cleared his throat, "... then how about I take you on a boat ride." I laughed and agreed. "Wear a swimsuit. We can get some sun and take a swim."
I had two swimsuits, a dowdy one piece and a bikini. If I was going to take the plunge with Jim, although technically he'd be the one plunging, then I couldn't wear the modest suit.
I left a note for Callie to let her know we'd be home later and together we walked around River Road to the marina. I had only taken ferries out of Portland to the islands in Casco Bay. I had never been on a small boat before.
The air smelled like gasoline as I climbed aboard with Jim holding out his hand for me. "They just filled it up so we're all set."
I watched as he untied the boat from the dock. Then I took the seat next to him and he turned the key. The engine was loud. Slowly he drove down past the beautiful waterfront homes out to the open water. The beach was full of people with brightly colored umbrellas creating a tapestry of colors.
We drove along the rocky shore away from The Point. Jim pointed out landmarks along the way until he eventually turned the boat around. He turned to me with a big smile. "Are you ready? Hold on!"
He increased the speed and we went flying across the water. He looked happy with his hair blowing and his aviator sunglasses, like a movie star with his bronzed skin and shades. His hair was still brown with some distinguished graying at his temples and his shoulders were broad.
Eventually, he slowed down as we reached The Point. "The tide's too low we can't go up the river to the house. We can go over by the sandbar. Can you swim?"
I nodded. I had taken lessons when Callie was young. He cut the engine, dropped an anchor, and took off his shirt. I hadn't seen him shirtless before. I'm not sure what I expected an almost sixty-year-old to look like, but not that. He looked good — a little softer than his son. I smiled at the comparison remembering Paige's shower incident the summer with Dan.
After watching him skillfully dove off the boat, I took off my coverup revealing my bikini, and he called from the water. "Jump!"
I jumped into the cold water, and because it was a hot day, it felt refreshing. Instantly, he swam to me. I felt like a teenager as we kissed treading water. We swam to the sandbar and spent some time looking for sand dollars and sea glass. Once Jim's swimsuit pockets were full, we swam back to the boat.
When we were back at the marina, Jim turned to me. "How about a night off and we get lobster rolls?"
I smiled. "This is a perfect day."
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A Summer Thing
Romance(Completed) When Patricia's daughter comes to her battered, she has to look at her own past as she helps her heal. As she focuses on mothering, she becomes aware that she is also woman. After leaving Parker, Callie never thought she would have a sum...
