Free Barefoot Bay: Silhouettes on the Sand (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Chris Keniston Page A

lashes at him. "First, this tree has wider branches. The sun won't encroach on our space before we're done eating. Second, the bench at the other tree is missing a slat. Third, from here, we can see the playground. It's really too early for moms and their kids to come around, but, by my sister's place sometimes, a mom or two will show up just to keep the kids busy. They might here as well."
    C.J. took a bite and moaned with delight. Chase on the other hand nearly groaned.
    Wrinkling her nose at him, she swallowed another big bite. "So what do you think?"
    Before he could fully bite down, his taste buds already understood what C.J. knew. This was the best damn egg and potato and bacon and who-knew-what-else concoction he'd ever had. He practically inhaled the damn thing it was so delicious. "I have no idea what else was in there besides eggs and potato and maybe some bacon, but, wow, that was good."
    "Told ya." She took her last bite, crumpled the foil into a ball, and tossed it into a nearby trash can.
    No children had come by. Hardly a surprise so early on a Sunday morning. He wished they had though. Something told him he would have enjoyed seeing C.J.'s face as she watched the small children scurrying about. Had Mandy and Zeke's news last night reminded her of that ever-ticking biological clock? Or did she always sit in the park and watch the children play? It certainly sounded like she might.
    "When was the last time you were on a swing?"
    "I'm not sure I was ever on a swing. My mother wasn't the sort to take me to the park for a playdate."
    "Now that's just a crime against human nature. All children should play on swings." She reached out and tugged on the tail of his T-shirt. "Come on."
    For the entire length of the short walk, C.J. didn't bother to let go of Chase's shirt. The next thing he knew, he was on the tallest swing on the set, and C.J. was showing him how to pump his legs. "Higher," she screamed. Soon they were both on swings, flying back and forth, up higher than the top. When they pendulumed back in the opposite direction, C.J. leaned backward and squealed.
    There was no stopping the smile on his face. He wasn't sure which was more exhilarating, soaring back and forth on the set or watching the smile bloom on C.J.’s face as she flew higher. More than a time or two, he wondered if the strong metal set wouldn’t pop up from the ground and take them with it.
    "Mommy, look. Like you and Daddy." A little girl, not even tall enough to reach Chase's waist, came running up to the swings and gave him a huge toothy grin. "My daddy pushes my mommy on the swing sometimes, and it makes her laugh. Can you push me?"
    "Carolyn," the mom called, hurrying to catch up. With a single gesture, she had the little girl hurrying back to her mother's side. By the time mother and child had reached the swing set, both he and C.J. had relinquished their seats.
    "I didn't mean to interrupt you." The mom rested her hands atop her protruding stomach. "I can't keep up with her most of the times. I'm sorry if she bothered you."
    "Nonsense." Chase smiled at the woman. "But a gentleman never refuses a lady’s request."
    The mom stared at him blankly until little Carolyn grinned up at him again, and, when he nodded, she scurried over to the lowest swing seat and waited for him to give her a little nudge. Pretty soon she was swinging her feet back and forth and, like C.J., calling to go higher. Unfortunately, off to the side, her mother shook her head at him. Little Carolyn would have to wait until she got older to go higher. Just then another little girl ran up to Carolyn, and he and the swing were both forgotten as the two children hurried off to the monkey bars. "Looks like I've been stood up," he teased.
    "Don't feel bad. Women are known to be fickle." Jogging in place, C.J. tipped her head toward the beach. "We should be getting back now anyhow. You ready?"
    "Absolutely. Last one back pushes the other on the swing for a whole month."