Page 89 of Only for the Season

Chapter 29

“And here I thought moonshine was the most dangerous thing on this island.” ~ Jeremy

Jeremy

My fingers fly over the keyboard as I work on theSynqapp. I’m almost finished. Despite not pulling all-nighters since I’ve been spending most of my time with Parker, I’m nearly there.

Parker’s a miracle worker. Inspiration seems to flow through me when she’s near. Which is my excuse for working in the bakery while she bakes in the kitchen. Enjoying coffee breaks and lunch with her is a mere bonus. Sneaking kisses and caresses of her curvy body is the best bonus.

I don’t know how I’m going to leave this island and return to California. This from a man who refused to leave California to attend college. But California no longer holds any appeal to me.

Coming to Smuggler’s Hideaway for Thanksgiving was a Hail Mary but it was the best damn Hail Mary in the history of Hail Marys. This crazy, mermaid and smuggler-obsessed island has grown on me. Would it be so bad to live here permanently?

“He’s here! I found him.”

No. It can’t be. Wherevershegoes, my parents follow. How the hell did they find me?

I sneak a peek at the door to the kitchen. It’s all the way across the bakery. I’ll never make it there without her noticing.

“Jeremy! I can see you!” she shouts as she bangs on the window.

I slam my computer shut before standing and prowling to the door. No one bangs on Parker’s window. I yank it open. “Do not bang on the window.”

“What do you expect? You were planning to sit there and pretend you didn’t hear me.”

I don’t deny it since she’s right. If I could pretend she didn’t exist now, I would.

“Mom! Dad!” She waves across the street. “I found him!”

I inhale a deep breath. I will remain calm. I will not allow my family to wind me up.

Mom and Dad hurry across the street. Mom flashes me a smile. It’s about as real as her hair color.

“Darling.” She leans over to kiss me but I step back before she can touch me. She frowns but doesn’t remark on my unwillingness for us to touch. The first clue she doesn’t give a rat’s ass about me.

“Are you going to let us in?” Dad doesn’t wait for an answer before shoving his way past me inside the bakery. My sister and Mom follow him.

My sister, Nora, scans the bakery and sticks her nose in the air. “This is quaint.”

“If it’s not good enough for you, go.”

“We’re not going anywhere until we’ve had a discussion with you,” Dad says.

I scratch my neck. “How did you find me anyway?”

“It was easy. I have an alert set for whenever your face pops up on social media.” Nora snorts. “And you’re supposed to be some kind of computer genius.”

“I’m not on social media.”

“No, but this Podunk town is. Congratulations on winning the ugliest tree contest.”

I swear under my breath. I didn’t think twice about having my picture taken with Parker when we won the tree trimming contest the other night. I figured the town would hang the picture up in the town hall, not put it on social media.

The door to the kitchen swings open and Parker marches out. She comes to stand next to me and fists her hands on her hips. “You need to leave.”

Dad bristles. “You can’t kick us out.”

“Wrong. I’m the proprietor of this establishment and I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.” She points to the door. “I’m invoking my right to refuse you service.”