Page 77 of Unwrapping Love

He missed starting his day that way. Now that they were in a decent routine, he might sneak out. She wouldn’t care and he wasn’t sure why he changed what he did a few days a week.

Because he liked their time together in the morning to talk and didn’t want to give that up.

She popped the trunk and he grabbed it. Saylor was already walking in the house.

Once he set the bag aside, Saylor turned with her grandmother. “Grandma, this is Rowan Carlisle. In person. I know you’ve been looking at him online.”

He kept his smile in place. He hadn’t realized that but shouldn’t be surprised. He just wasn’t positive what Leslie was looking for. “It’s nice to meet you, Leslie.”

They shook hands. “You are much nicer looking in person. You were right, Saylor.”

He felt the color seep up his neck. Saylor always laughed at him when he flushed. Just like his siblings did too.

He’d thought he’d gotten past blushing in life, but since he met Saylor, he’d lost that control.

“Are you talking about me?”

Saylor shrugged. “My grandmother has been reading more about your business. I tell her about it and she’s interested. She’s always loved the water. I hope to get her on the paddleboard.”

He wished he’d known that. “That’s great. Saylor is a natural now.”

“She’s always worried about doing things in front of others. She takes time to warm up.”

He’d noticed that too, which was why he wasn’t pushing.

“She’s doing a great job.”

“I told my grandmother that we are going to try surfing next. Maybe next weekend. I need it to be light waves.”

“I’ve got you when it’s time,” he said. “Logan taught me. If you don’t mind, he said he’d do it. Honestly, he might do a better job at that. I don’t know that I can always instruct that clearly.”

She laughed. “You don’t give that clear of instructions, but I managed just fine on the paddleboard by watching you.”

“Why don’t you show your grandmother around? I’ve got some snacks but can start dinner any time you want.”

“Snacks are good,” Leslie said. “This house is beautiful. Have to admit, I’ve never been in something this nice before. Let alone on the water.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet, Grandma. Your room is downstairs. It’s your space while you’re here and you won’t bother us any. We are upstairs.”

“Please, make yourself at home. Whatever you want or need, just take or use or ask.”

“Thank you,” Leslie said.

He grabbed Leslie’s bag before Saylor could and brought it down after they descended the stairs and put it in the bedroom, then came back up to put the board of snacks on the deck.

The weather was beautiful and they had shade.

He turned his head ten minutes later when the glass doors opened and Leslie came out alone.

“Where’s Saylor?”

“She’s taking a shower and changing. I told her I wanted some time to talk to you alone.”

He expected this but didn’t think it’d happen right away.

“I’m an open book.”

“I’m not so sure of that, but Saylor doesn’t have any complaints right yet. That’s all I care about.”