Find Wonder In All Things by Karen M. Cox Read Free Book Online Page A

going on with her mother, she would tell him when she was ready. He looked over at the kitchen door and saw Mr. Elliot watching them. The man had the most unnerving stare, not unlike his daughter.
    “Okay, but come down to the boat if you don’t mind. I don’t want to be one of those creepy guys standing out under the street lights beside the dock.”
    She laughed. “Fine.” She disappeared into the kitchen, giving her father a bright smile as she sailed past.
    * * *
    James was ready when Laurel knocked on the houseboat door and called to him.
    “Come in,” he called back, putting his wallet in his back pocket and picking up his boat key off the coffee table.
    She opened the door and stepped in, looking around the place. “It’s different than I remember. The Pendletons must have redecorated since I was here last.”
    “What? Oh . . . yeah, I guess. Hey, you want a Coke or something?”
    She turned and eyed him up and down in a frank assessment of his appearance that made his ears burn. He had no idea how a girl who’d never been on a date before could make a guy like him blush, so he decided to turn the tables on her.
    “You look pretty.” And she did. Blue jean cutoffs and a green v-neck tee showed off her svelte figure to its best advantage. Her hair tumbled in slightly damp curls about her face and shoulders. She did that girl-next-door look very well.
    That seemed to unnerve her a bit, but she managed to mutter a, “Thank you. You look real nice too.”
    “Are you set then?”
    Laurel nodded. “I’m glad you don’t have some stupid idea that the guy always has to drive.”
    “I gave up stupid ideas the night I came here, remember? Besides, a guy without a car takes a ride wherever he can find it.” He turned back to lock the door and they started off toward the shore, walking in silence along the dock.
    “I’m saving for a car. Blew up the motor in my other one — driving too fast.”
    “How fast were you going?” she asked, brows raised.
    “Hundred fifteen.” He looked down, a bit embarrassed.
    “James! That’s so dangerous! Gosh, you’re lucky you didn’t really hurt yourself. Driving like that on the mountain roads around here will get you killed.”
    “Don’t worry; I learned my lesson. I’ve been hoofing it for a year and a half now, and I can’t wait until I can afford another set of wheels. I’ll take care of the car this time.” His grin had a touch of mischief in it.
    “That’s one of the reasons I’m working this summer. I figure by the time I go back to school, I’ll have enough for a decent, used pick-up with great gas mileage and a reliable engine.”
    “I’ll be without a car at school this fall, but Benton’s a pretty small campus, so I’ll just take my bike.”
    There was a lull in the conversation as they approached the truck. He followed her to the driver’s side and reached around her to open the door. She got in and turned to him in surprise.
    He shrugged. “Just because I’m not driving doesn’t mean I’ve lost my manners. Ladies first.”
    She smiled and shook her head as she put the key in the ignition. He jogged around to the passenger side and hopped in.
    “Ready?” she asked, starting up the engine and giving it some gas.
    “I’m at your mercy,” he teased.
    “I’m a good driver.”
    He leaned back and put his arm on the back of the seat, behind her shoulders. “I’m not the least bit worried.”
    * * *
    “Why do you want to study art?” James asked as he slid across the truck’s bench seat and reached over to grab a nacho from the paper plate. The movie was spectacularly bad, so they’d spent the time after the first fifteen minutes talking.
    “I guess I don’t know what else I’d do with my life. My father is really happy about my choice of major, and I’m good at art. I enjoy drawing, painting, but what I like the most is sculpting, making something and feeling it take form under my hands. How I’ll shape that into something