Snippet Saturday – Holiday
“Come on. Let’s go build sandcastles.” Dayne got to his feet and offered her a hand.
“Sandcastles?”
“What? You’ve never built one?” Grant asked as he stood and brushed the sand from his legs and arms.
“Sure but not since…” When was the last time she’d played in the sand?
“All the more reason to do it now.” Dayne grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the shoreline.
“How are we going to build a castle without the proper tools?”
Grant put up his hands, waggled his fingers at her. “These are all the tools I need, fair princess.”
She laughed. “Princess?”
“Every castle needs a princess.” Dayne knelt in the damp sand and tugged her down with him. “And if anyone deserves to be a princess for a day it’s you.”
Miki’s heart turned over. She didn’t doubt his sincerity, but it was hard to adjust to their caring when she’d been used to none for so long now. Frankie was the only person left in her life who cared about how she was or what she wanted. And even her best friend couldn’t make up for everything that was missing in Miki’s life.
“Hey.” Grant placed a finger under her chin and raised her gaze to meet his. “Why such a serious face? This is meant to be fun, Miki.”
“Royal decree.” Dayne mimed blowing a trumpet. “The kingdom is only allowed to have fun between now and sundown, by order of the royal court.”
Miki laughed at his silly accent and even sillier acting skills.
“That’s better.” Grant let go of her face and dug his hands into the wet sand. “Now, let’s build us a castle.”
“We need a moat.” Dayne began digging a trench. “How big do we want this thing?”
“A couple of feet for sure.”
“Okay.” Dayne curved the channel he was working on.
She sat back and watched the two of them playing in the sand like little boys. They made her smile, even when her heart felt like it might explode and her mind whirled with a thousand and one confusing thoughts, they managed to take it all away and make her laugh and enjoy the moment.
“Come on, you.” Grant poked her with a sandy finger. “Just because you’re the princess doesn’t mean you don’t have to work.”
Miki dug her hands into sand and scooped up a pile to add to the tower Grant was building. Slapping the wet mix against the small structure, she grinned. She patted the side and used her fingers to push it into the right shape. With each handful their castle took shape, and Miki forgot all about her worries. They had two towers and the outside walls built when Dayne’s moat caused a cave in.
“Hey, watch it.” Grant worked quickly to push the wall back up.
“Sorry, got a little too close there.” Dayne grinned, not sorry at all.
“If you’re not careful I’ll have the guards throw you in the dungeon,” she said. Where the frivolous words came from Miki didn’t know and didn’t care. It felt good to play.
Dayne gasped and placed a hand on his chest. “My humble apologies, my princess. I will strive for it not to happen again.” He affected a ridiculous half-bow.
Laughter bubbled up her throat and burst free. The carefree sound was strange and unfamiliar to her ears. She pushed at his shoulder. “You’re such a clown.”
“More like the court jester,” Grant said.
“You’re just jealous that I have the princess’s attention and you don’t.” Dayne stuck his tongue out at Grant.
The childish behaviour only made her laugh harder. Her sides hurt and tears stung her eyes. “Stop. You’re killing me.” She spoke between giggles.
“Never.” Dayne lunged for her, tackling her to the wet sand and finding the ticklish spots along her sides.
“No. Stop. Don’t.” Each word was a gasp as she fought for breath.
“Are your feet ticklish too?” Grant lifted one foot and began running his finger on the underside.
“No!” She wiggled in Dayne’s grasp but his grip on her was too good. “Oh, oh. Stop.”
Miki laughed uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks and still they didn’t stop. She was almost out of breath, the fight gone out of her when they finally let up on their attack. With a sigh she slumped in Dayne’s arms.
Grant stared at her. “God you’re gorgeous.”
Her gaze met his. “What? Wet, sandy and probably bright red to match my hair because you two just tried to tickle me to death?” she snorted. “Yeah, right. Gorgeous like a pile of shit.”
“You really don’t see it do you?” Dayne asked.
“See what?”
“How beautiful you are,” Grant said.
Find all the details on Truth Or Dare HERE!
Don’t forget to check out the other authors offering snippets this week:-
Anne Rainey
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Lauren Dane
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels
