Chapter 11

“Work the desk, order parts, and dumb it down for customers; occasionally I work on the cars if we’re really swamped.”

Evan held up the rum, offering her more, she accepted. “I always thought you were taking off because you had better things to do,” he said.

Jane was pleased she had proved him wrong. “Those were usually the things I had to do; that and trying to keep the family and the business from drowning.”

Evan held his glass up and after a moment their glasses clashed together a bit roughly. “I’m really glad you told me all that because I like you so much more as a person now; swear it’s not just the rum and bud.”

Jane laughed. Looking back out at the lake, she remembered a question she had wanted to ask him since they got there. “Evan, what is it about the lake that makes you seem so different?” she asked, hoping he wasn’t about to say he was going to turn into a pumpkin at the end of summer. She genuinely enjoyed his company.

It didn’t take him long to answer, “Everyone up here is like family. I’ve passed out right in this spot before. Instead of waking up, floating in the middle of the lake with dicks drawn on me, someone had thrown a blanket on me or they would bring me in. I’m not as sloppy as I make it sound either.”

“No, you’re not. I’ve seen you and not only are you a happy drunk but sometimes you can be just delightful to watch,” she joked.

“Well, thanks. My point is, people up here have my back, no matter what. It’s like my real home, not that I don’t love my parents.”

“Sounds like you’re planning on moving up here someday.”

Evan firmly stated, “I am, maybe in a couple years. I’m going to school for business management. After I’ll get a job or jobs and once I have at least 10 K, I’m moving up here permanently and becoming a partner in the Lake House.”

Jane really was impressed by his plan; he became more attractive to her then, so she looked away. “You really have it all planned out. I’m seriously jealous. I always thought someday when I settled down it would be on a beach, a lake, or just anywhere near water really. I’m actually going to school to help the family business too.”

“Really, what’s your plan?” he asked, equally impressed.

Jane became just the tiniest bit shy. She didn’t really talk about how most of her plans for her life revolved around her dad and brothers. Evan happened to have the same things in common and it was also pretty easy to talk to him.

“I’m going to school for accounting so I can help out the garage. I’ve even taken some classes in marketing for ideas on how to expand the business so we can service more people and maybe hire some help. My dad, he sleeps at the garage a lot. I just want to get us to a place where he doesn’t have to ever again,” Jane revealed.