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“I know.” She smiled as they walked on. In his estimation that smile was a little wider than it had been a few seconds before.
“It is not always easy running a business, but you have help whenever you need it. I hope you know that.”
“I do, and I thank you for it, more than I can ever say.” Chloe shook her head. “In fact . . . I bought something for you last week to say thank you for all your help, but in the commotion of the opening, I have quite forgotten to give it to you. Even now I have neglected to bring it with me! What a good opportunity this would have been.”
“A gift?” Leo laughed as he drew her forward. “No such gift was necessary.” He urged their path alongside a river that passed through the park. As they walked, people they passed by smiled and greeted them. More than one lady called out to Chloe, clearly remembering her from the shop. It was a warm moment, with Leo pleased to see how Chloe was becoming quite the center of attention.
On the water beside them there were boats, with some ladies sitting back enjoying the sunshine, and gentlemen doing their best not to look as if they were sweating as they rowed.
Leo rather liked the idea of going with Chloe out onto such a boat. It could be romantic, but he also feared, knowing himself, that he would tip the boat.
“I wanted to give you a gift all the same.” Chloe sighed, clearly irked at herself for forgetting. “Another time I will remember to give it to you. You may have to remind me.”
“Very well.” Leo was aware of Chloe falling still. Her eyes were on the boats too and the small dock that was beside them, with another free boat. “Oh no . . .”
“Oh no what?”
“I can see what you are thinking.” Leo shook his head softly. “Do you wish us to walk home sodden?”
“I was actually going to suggest we row the boat, not that we swim,” she teased him, already pulling him toward the boat on the small dock along the riverbank.
“Knowing my clumsiness, we will end up swimming.”
“You are not nearly so bad as you think.” Chloe released him and went to step into the boat, moving forward with confidence. When Leo lifted one of the oars from the boat, moving in after her, he managed to slip on a wet spot on the dock. His hand reaching out for the boat edge was the only thing to keep him from falling.
“You were saying?” He waited for her answer, seeing her struggling to hold back a laugh.
“Well, if we end up in the water, it will be a fun story to tell, will it not?” She sat back, and Leo stepped in with her, doing his best not to slip again. As he sat down and began to row, a calm seemed to take over Chloe. It was what he had longed to see.
“That is better,” he whispered as he rowed them out across the water.
“What is better?” She tilted her chin back as she rested against the wall of the boat, closing her eyes and basking in the feeling of the sun’s rays on her face.
Leo admired her for a minute, thinking of the subtle smile at her lips and the contentment on her face.
“Now you are at peace,” he said softly. His words had come out deeper than he had intended them, and they prompted a reaction. Chloe opened her eyes and met his gaze. The strength in that gaze made him pause.
“You have a habit of bringing that feeling in me,” she whispered. Leo sat taller in the boat, loving her words. “Oh, that made you happy.” She giggled.
“Perhaps I am prouder than I would like,” he mocked himself. “Give me a compliment, and I’ll fall at your feet.” The flirtation was evident. She laughed warmly as he continued to row the two of them around.
Leo was careful to keep them far away from the other couples and groups on the water, not wanting to risk their boats colliding. The water lapped gently against the side of the boat, and there was the distant sound of ducks hidden amongst the reeds. Leo surveyed it all before his focus drew back to Chloe. She was watching him, apparently deep in thought.
“Something is on your mind,” he remarked as he circled the oars another time.
“I have a secret,” she confessed. “Something I have been thinking of for some time, but that I dare not speak of.”
Leo held his breath, the oars hanging in the air.
Could it be . . .? Does she think of me too?
“It is one of the reasons I work so hard.” Her words made that hope falter. Leo became uncertain where she was going with this. “It’s something I long to do, but I am not sure how to accomplish it.”
“Care to share? You have me on tenterhooks.”
“Do you remember the night of Maeve’s ball when Rosaline and the other seamstresses from the estate wore my designs?”
“I remember.” Leo mostly remembered the dance he and Chloe had shared after the guests had departed.
