Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 21

Emma's POV

"Ah, Emma is that you?" Agnes asked when she stopped what she was doing to take me in. "Wow, my child. I always knew you were very beautiful," she added as she wrapped her arms around me.

I wiped a tear of happiness from my eye. I had missed her. I felt kind of guilty for forgetting about her, but Halley had become nice to me and we were bonding nicely.

"I've missed you at the house. What are you doing here?" I asked breaking from our hug.

"Mr. Hollen called me a few days ago and invited me here to cook while you all are here. Now, get out of my kitchen. I've got everything under control. Go and enjoy the beach or the front yard."

"I came here because I was hungry."

She opened the oven and took out several large trays. She prepared a plate of pineapple chicken, rice and peas, potato salad, macaroni pie and a slice of lasagna. 

My mouth watered.

"Eat dear," she said as she handed me the plate.

"Thanks, Aggie," I smiled and went outdoors to enjoy my food with nature and the wind.

I had never been so relaxed and carefree. I ate everything on the plate while I enjoyed the sound of the crashing waves and the birds singing in the trees and the wind moving through the leaves. 

I didn't notice Mr. Hollen was there, watching me as he leaned against the frame of the door. "You like it here?" he asked. 

I turned saw him smiling sweetly at me, which made me melt. Gosh, he is so damn handsome! "It's nice," I answered.

"Yeah, I love it here too."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, sweetie."

When he called me sweetie, my heart skipped a beat. I had to search my brain for something to ask him. I just wanted to see his face and hear his voice some more. I wanted to ask him about what he did with me in my room back at the house, and about Sharon, and, now, about Agnes. All those things I could have asked, but I looking deep in his eyes all I could thing to ask was, "Can you teach me to swim?"

He gave a light chuckle and walked towards me. "Sure, I can teach you." He put some of my hair behind my ear and looked me straight in my eyes.

I was lost in his, so grey and judging.

"When do you want to start?"

"How about," I paused with a smile, "right now?"

He smiled back. "Okay, I'll get changed."

Damn it Emma, you didn't bring a bikini. I slapped myself mentally. I ran back inside, putting my plate in the sink and rushing upstairs to my luggage. I didn't have anything that could have at least worked as a bikini or a swimsuit. Halley had only packed one for herself; I couldn't borrow her only swimwear, and I didn't want to go out to buy one because we wouldn't have the time for the swimming lesson again.

Then my eyes fell on an underwear set I bought while shopping with Halley. She'd persuaded me to buy it and it was in my favorite color, black. It was pretty, too pretty for the beach, but I didn't have a choice since I wanted a swimming lesson from Mr. Hollen. I put it on and headed to the beach to wait for him there. I didn't want anyone getting any ideas about us.

He came five minutes later, carrying a picnic basket, a large beach rug and floats. I laughed at the floats. Am I a kid now?

"You ready?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Wait for me!" 

I turned around and saw Halley running. 

She ran up to us, short of breath. "I wanna join you too. You two left without me," she pouted.

Obviously.

"Sorry, Halley," said Mr. Hollen.