Chapter 7

My words drained the color from Carson's face. He stumbled to explain in a panic, "I know. No one can replace you, ever…" I didn't answer and went back inside. "I don't like that wooden marker. Take it down." ... The next day, Carson took me to the beach. I gripped the jet ski handles and skimmed over the waves while he followed on another craft, talking about the old days. He told me how, when he was starting out and his cash flow collapsed, when competitors boxed him in at the dock, it was me who jumped on a jet ski and tore through the blockade, soaking him head to toe. He'd been so mad that he wanted to call me crazy, but then he saw me laughing with my head thrown back, and he suddenly blushed. He said he'd never met such a wild, feisty woman before. He swore that if it weren't for my reckless streak, he'd probably already have had his legs broken and been tossed in the sea. I tugged the corner of my mouth and cut him off. "No matter how wild I was, five years will wear i