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“We can wrap it up, but you'll be fine. I have a canoe out back that I use for fishing, so unless you stand up and move around, there's no reason for you to go over or get wet.” I prop my hip against the counter and try to look as relaxed as possible. If I’m relaxed, maybe she’ll relax.
She lowers the cup. “So, you’ll paddle me around,Notebookstyle?” Her eyes spark and she smiles at me. I think it’s working—this smile is a little more friendly and open. I like this smile.
“Notebookstyle?” I’m confused.
“Yeah, like the movie,” she says very matter-of-fact with her big blue eyes blinking at me.
“I haven’t seen that movie in over ten years!” And even then, once was enough.
“Well, are there swans?” she smirks. Spunky Ava is back, so freaking sexy, and I can’t help but laugh.
“No swans, but thereissomething I’d like to show you. You’ll need to add a few layers; it’s gonna be chilly.” I look her over from head to toe. She’s wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, stretchy pink pants, and striped socks. Her hair is down and all over the place. She looks amazing.
“Okay.” She smiles at me, and my heart rate picks up.
“I’m gonna go pull the canoe. Meet you down by the lake?” I ask, just to make sure she’s really coming.
“Okay,” she says again. Her eyes follow me as I move past her to put my cup in the sink. I like her eyes on me. I like it a lot.
Whiskey follows me out as I head down the back steps and under the house. The house is built on the side of the mountain, so underneath the deck, I left it open and it acts more as covered storage.
Grabbing the canoe, I drag it down to the water’s edge. I’ve only used this canoe twice. Once to fish, and once to take Bryce out on the lake. Thinking of Bryce causes my heart to hurt. I’m way past due to see him, and if I’m feeling like this, I can only imagine how I’ve made him feel. Guilt consumes me.
“Whatcha looking at?” Ava asks. I didn’t know she had made her way down here, and I wonder how long I’ve been standing here.
Turning to face her, I find her watching me. My skin heats at the sight of her. She’s fully bundled now in warmer clothes and I have to ignore the way they hug her body. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail and there’s no makeup on her face.Shit. She’s just so beautiful.
“Nothing really, just thinking.” I pull the beanie off my head, run my hand through my hair, and let out a deep sigh.
“About what?” she tilts her head to the side—studying me—and puts her good hand on her hip.
“Stuff I have to take care of when I get back to town.” That’s really the best answer I can give her without divulging my whole life.
“When’s that going to be?”
“Probably tomorrow morning,” I let out another deep sigh and look across the lake. Damn, I’m going to miss it here.
“Have you been here for a while?” she crosses her good arm over the hurt one, closing herself off.
“Longer than I should have. Come on, I’ll help you in.” The ground next to the lake’s edge is muddy, and I don’t want her feet to stick and throw her off balance. I walk toward her and hold out my hand. She takes it, and as she steps into the canoe, my hand slides up her arm and my fingers wrap around her elbow to steady her.
She turns to smile at me in thanks, but I still catch the distance in her eyes.
Shit. Insecurity sweeps over me, and I’m never insecure about anything. Maybe she has regrets about last night, maybe she’s wishing she knew a little more about who I am, or maybe she’s just worried about being on the lake, who knows? I just wish I could get a better read on what she’s thinking, or better yet, I wish we were in a place where I could ask her.
Stupid rules. Why did I offer that as an option?
“You’re sure you want to go with me, right?” I ask, wanting her to be open with me.
“I’m sure.” She smiles up at me again as she settles onto her seat and Tank jumps in. She giggles and pets the dog. Can’t say I’ve ever had a dog on the lake before.
“All right then, hold on.” Carefully, I push the canoe into the water. Stepping in, it wobbles a little and she grips the edge. Using my paddle, I push us out away from the shore.
The lake is quiet this morning. There are a few birds up singing, but mostly everything is still. Quiet.
Taking my time, I slice the calm waters with the paddle and push us further onto the lake. The colors of the leaves have turned even more over the last couple of days and its vividness is extraordinary.
By the time we reach the middle of the lake, all of the stiffness Ava has been carrying is gone. I lay the paddle across my lap, and the boat comes to a stop.
