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She rifles in her purse and hands me a key chain. I untie Butterscotch’s leash and hand it to Jess, then I unlock her bike. We head to my truck with me wheeling her bike alongside me.
I load her bike into the bed of my truck, and the three of us climb into the cab. Butterscotch joins Jess on the front passenger seat, his ass on her lap, his front paws on the door.
I drive to her house, unload the bike, and wait for her to unlock the garage. This is the first time I’ve seen inside the garage. The place is cobweb and dust free. And crowded with all kinds of abandoned furniture, tools, gardening supplies, and old magazines.
In the house, Jess goes upstairs to change. While she’s gone, I make a call to the client I was supposed to meet with this afternoon. I tell Dylan an emergency came up and ask if it’s okay if we reschedule. Dylan, his wife Jenny, and I went to school together.
“That’s fine,” he says. “We’re just happy you’re doing our renovations.”
That makes two of us. As clients go, they’re easygoing. “I’ll give you a call later once I’ve checked my calendar. Plus, there’s something I need to talk to Jenny about.”
Faint puppy barks come from Dylan’s end of the line. I smile at the sound of the golden retriever puppies who are no doubt chasing a ball for playtime.
I’m just finishing the call when Jess returns wearing jeans and a long-sleeved top. Her hair is no longer in a ponytail. The silky waves hang loose over her shoulders. I want to run my fingers through the strands, to feel them against my skin.
I startle at the thought, at the realization my interest in her stretches beyond friendship. In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve gone from wanting to help her to being attracted to her. But that’s not what today is about, so I get my head back in the mission.
“Is this outfit okay for whatever you have planned?” She turns, giving me a great view of her gorgeous ass.
“It’s perfect.” I push aside my thoughts of what I’d like to do with that gorgeous ass.
“You really won’t tell me where we’re going?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Once we get to my house. “We just have to go to my place first to pick up something.”
* * *
“We need a canoe for this adventure?”Jessica stares skeptically at the canoe in the truck bed.
“That’s right.”
Butterscotch barks, excited at what this means. He’s a big fan of canoeing.
I go into the garage again and come out with three life jackets, including a small one for Butterscotch. I toss them into the truck bed with the rest of the gear.
Only a handful of vehicles are in the lake parking lot when we arrive. It’s the last days of March, so anyone here will be walking their dogs, running, or going on a short hike around the lake. It’s too early in the season for most people to be out on the water.
I grab the life jackets from the truck bed. “You can carry these.” I hand them to Jess. “I’ll carry the canoe.”
She hugs the life jackets to her body like a shield. “Why are we playing hooky and going canoeing?”
“I’m far from an expert on PTSD, but I do know that relaxation is an important part of the healing process. You might not want to tell me what happened, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you relax.” I spread my arms wide. “And what’s more relaxing than canoeing on a day like this?”
The weather is sunny and warm for an early spring day. It’s not unexpected for Maple Ridge to experience a snow flurry at this time of year. Or heavy rain. Thankfully, that’s not the case today. The area is peaceful. Calm. Small birds chirp from the nearby trees. I couldn’t have asked for a better day for this.
I pass Jess the two paddles and hoist the canoe above my head. We carry everything to the water, Butterscotch trotting between us. I lower the canoe so it’s half in the water, half on the sand.
Butterscotch barks next to the canoe as if telling me to move faster.
I laugh. “Getting a little impatient are you, buddy?”
“I take it he loves canoeing?” Jess’s gaze surveys the trees skirting our side of the lake. To enjoy the view? Or because she’s hypervigilant?
“That’s an understatement. Plus, this is the first time we’ve been able to go since the fall.” I take the paddles from her and place them in the canoe.
She hands me Butterscotch’s life jacket. He waits patiently while I put it on him. Then Jessica and I slip on our life jackets and fasten them.
I lift Butterscotch into the canoe. He makes his way to the bow and jumps onto the small seat I made for him. I help Jess into the boat.
