“Come on in. I’m about ready.” She handed him a glass of lemonade. “For you, sir.” He immediately took a sip. “Wow, this is good.”
“Homemade.”
“Nice.” He took another sip while she gathered her things.
Natalie changed into a pair of hiking boots. If she remembered correctly, the trail down to the water’s edge was steep.
“Let’s go,” she said. “I honestly am not sure where the trail is to the stream. We’ll just have to look for it.”
“I noticed a cut-through just to the left of the bridge. Want to try that way?”
“I’ll follow you.”
He led the way. He was respectful in how he twisted the branches as he walked ahead of her, clearing a path. Some of the brush was pretty thick.
The land sloped off, and the descent to the water’s edge was thankfully not nearly as steep as she’d remembered.
“I can hear the water. Do you know what body of water this is?” Randy asked.
“Cherish Creek. Hard to forget a name like that. We caught sunfish and some other stuff. There’s supposed to be amazing trout fishing over in the river.”
“Probably redear sunfish. They’re good eating. We’ll have to try trout fishing sometime too.” The water rushing over the rocks became louder.
“I think we’re getting close,” she said.
And then there it was, right in front of them.
A bright red bird with black wings flew across the creek.
“Did you see that?” she asked. “I think that might be the prettiest bird I’ve ever seen.”
“He landed over there on that limb. Look at the black on his wings compared to the brilliant red.” He pulled out his phone, his thumbs working across the screen. “I think it might be a scarlet tanager. Says they are seen around the streams and creeks in this area.”
“Gorgeous.”
“Yeah.” He set his things down and opened his tackle box. “I brought some worms.” He lifted a small container in the air. “I have some spinners and jigs that’ll work too. What’s your pleasure?”
“Hmm. Can I use the spinner? That sounds pretty.”
He laughed. “Did you pick that just because you don’t want to touch the worms?”
“Maybe.” She gave him a playful look. “Perhaps, but if I try it and it works, then maybe I can never touch one. I’d be okay with that.”
“You got it.” He put a spinner on the end of her line andadded weight and a bobber. “You’re set. Know how to use this thing?” He flipped the rod around and tapped her on the head with its end.
“Real funny, mister.” She grabbed the end of the rod and tucked it away from him. “I might need a little refresher.”
He got up and helped her. Standing behind her, he placed his hands on top of hers and moved fluidly, practicing a cast. “Are you sandbagging me? You seem to know exactly what you’re doing.”
“No. I’m just sort of remembering.”
“Just click that over and hold it, then let go to cast.”
She did so.
“Excellent. Now reel it in slowly. The spinner will act like a wounded bug as you pull the lure through the water. Maybe you’ll get some interest.”
He threaded a small piece of a worm onto his hook and cast out in the other direction while she worked her line closer to shore.
