The Best of June by Tierney O’Malley Read Free Book Online Page B

see what they’ve been missing.” Henry waggled his eyebrows, eliciting a sexy laugh from June.
    She stood beside him. “I don’t think I’ll go swimming, though. The water, I’m sure, is cold.”
    “It’ll be hot this week. You’ll love dipping in the water. Believe me. As much as I love the Pacific Northwest, I get tired of the cold and rain. This weather is perfect.”
    “I love the rain, especially at night when I’m in bed cocooned under my quilt. The sound of rain hitting the windows always lulls me to sleep, not to mention it washes away the stink of the day to bring us a fresh, clean tomorrow.”
    Henry couldn’t agree more.
    It took three hours before the islands came into view. June gasped. He stood. When he looked at her, his heart constricted. With the lowering sun reflecting in her eyes, she was breathtaking. She seemed to be in awe.
    The yellow-orange sun gave the horizon a beautiful skyline. There were touches of purple, red and pink in the sky. The mountains were darker green on some parts and gray on others. It looked like God himself had thrown buckets of paint and this was the result.
    “Isn’t Mother Nature magnificent, Henry? She’s beautiful.”
    He grinned at the wonder in her voice. He stared at her. “I know. So beautiful I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    “You haven’t? But—” She caught him staring at her. “Henry…”
    “June…” he mimicked then leaned closer to plant a quick kiss on her lips. “Why are you whispering, hon? We’re alone. You won’t bother anyone if you scream your thoughts.”
    June laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not that sophisticated. This must be the most magnificent sight in the world. I’ve kept a brochure about the San Juan Islands. I must have read it a hundred times. Now, I am actually here. In person. Incredible.”
    Henry had been to different places around the world that could rival the allure of the San Juan Islands but didn’t mention it. Last thing he wanted to do was stomp on her enthusiasm. “We’ll see all of them. For now, we’ll anchor here. To watch the sunset.”
    “Is it okay to stay here? We’re not going to get hit by another boat, right?”
    He found her innocent questions refreshing. “We’re fine. When the sun is gone, you’ll see another wonderful scene. Night lights.”
    “Oh, I’d love that.”
    “Have you been outside Edmonds?”
    “Been to Oregon. My parents are planning on going to Las Vegas in three months or so, but they are still saving for the trip. I might go.”
    “Ah.” He wondered if the trip to Las Vegas was the reason she’d agreed to become his gift. He had yet to figure out who had paid her. He’d called his friends and all had sworn they had no idea who June was.
    “Can I go with you when you and your parents go to Las Vegas?”
    “Yeah. And stay in Motel 6 with us?”
    “As long as we get our own room, I’m down.”
    “Nah. You snore and hog the blanket.”
    “Hmm…if I remember it correctly, I was your blanket. And, woman, I don’t snore.”
    “You’re right. You sleep like a baby with a smile on your face and you drool slightly.”
    Henry pinched her butt, making her squeal. “If I drool it’s because you look so delicious.”
    “I’ll take that as a compliment.” June wrapped her arms around his neck. “How come I just now realized that you’re so tall?”
    “Maybe because you wore heels yesterday. Why are you staring at me?”
    “You’re so handsome.”
    “You just realize it now?”
    June laughed. “No. I knew it a long time ago.”
    Long time ago. Henry frowned. Before he could ask what she meant, June cupped his face, went on up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. He didn’t need any more coaxing. Right there, with the beautiful sunset that served as a spotlight pointed at them, he returned her kiss. The moment was so romantic he couldn’t even describe how he felt. But one thing was for sure. He was beyond happy to have June in his arms. She was so