Lost (Liam Payne)

Part 36

The days grew warmer and reservations poured in for the Lake House. Liam was learning all about getting the house ready for guests. Patio furniture was unwrapped and moved into position. Wooden Adirondack chairs were dragged out, placed around the fire pit and dragged to the beach.

"Are you sure we can leave these here?" Liam asked as they dragged the fourth chair to the end of the boardwalk that lead from the patio to the beach. "Isn't someone going to steal one?"

"No. They never have before and these things are heavy. They'd have to drag it and we could just follow the tracks!" Penny laughed. "Plus, until this point," Penny pointed to her feet, which were just off the boardwalk, "it's private property. People aren't supposed to come any closer to the house than that."

"You don't own the rest of the beach?"

Penny shook her head. "Nope. It's public property up to 6 feet from the water. Anybody can walk by or whatever, but the can't come past this point. So, the chairs are safe!" she giggled. "Want to sleep out here tonight? I love sleeping on the beach. It's supposed to be really nice tonight and this is our last weekend without guests."

Liam looked down at the sand. "You are kidding, right?"

Penny shook her head. "No! It's fun! Sam, Charlie and I did it all the time."

"Sand Fleas?" Liam asked.

"What? What are sand fleas?" Penny asked.

Liam just shook his head. They must not have them here. Too cold. "I don't think that sounds fun."

Penny sighed. "Well, I am. You can sleep in the house. I want to sleep out here under the stars."

Penny turned and went back up the boardwalk and to the garage. Her mother was cleaning out the freezers, getting ready for deliverers. Liam appeared behind her and grabbed another chair to drag to the beach. "Hey, mom! When is the truck coming?"

"Hey, Sweetie. Any second. Plug in the fridges and make sure they are working. We are getting mostly frozen and paper products today, but I ordered some fresh." her mother answered.

From the beach, Liam watched the truck pull in and hurried up to help. When he reached the side of a garage, he heard Penny and the driver talking. He was standing in the back of the truck, clipboard in hand. "Hey! Cricket! Long time no see. How are you? I heard you broke up with Tom. So, how many times do I have to ask you out this year until you say yes?"

"HaHa, Jerry. You aren't funny. You had your chance in high school. Give me the clipboard. Let's move."

Jerry laughed. "Okay, Okay, I get it! I'll only ask you out once per delivery instead of my normal 3 or 4, okay? Let's start with paper."

Liam decided that now would be the perfect time to show himself and claim his girl. He walked over to Penny and grabbed her around her waist, giving her a kiss. "Hey, Love. Need help?"

Jerry, the delivery man, stopped and turned to look at them. "Shit. You already have a new boyfriend? I knew I should have called the second I heard you were single."

Penny just laughed and shrugged her shoulders. Jerry jumped down off the truck and held out his hand. "Hey, man. Jerry. You'll see me at least once a week. And you are?"

Liam returned the handshake and said "Liam."

Jerry's eyes grew wide. "You aren't from around here! English?" Liam nodded. "Jeez, Cricket, where'd you find him? An English guy? In nowhere, Michigan?"

"Walmart" Penny answered.

Jerry laughed. "Fine. Keep your secret. I just keep losing my chances with you."