AllFreeNovel
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“Not really. But I forgot how much I enjoy painting nature. I haven’t done it since college. My mom’s house is on a beautiful piece of property. I used to like to sit outside and paint the trees and stuff. I find it peaceful. Lets my brain unwind.”
He kissed the top of my head. “You should do it more often.”
I turned in his arms and clasped my hands around his neck. “I think I will. I don’t know what it is about this place, but I feel like it’s reminding me of who I used to be.”
“Maybe you should stick around.”
I pushed up on my tippy-toes and planted a kiss on his lips. “Maybe I will.”
A duck quacked behind us, so I twisted around to look at the lake. But it wasn’t my little buddy. I frowned. “I’m worried something happened to Daisy.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. What if her wound opened up again and she got an infection, or she was attacked by a bear?”
“I’ve never seen a bear around here. Maybe a coyote, though.”
My eyes widened. “You think a coyote ate her? They sense when another animal is injured and easy prey.”
“Didn’t say that. Was just telling you who the natural threats to ducks are locally. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“I think I’m going to go out on the lake and look for her. Earlier I saw ducks hanging out on that island in the middle. Maybe she’s there and she’s injured. Would you come with me on your kayak?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
Fox looked over at his yard, to the water’s edge. His face was serious. “It’s dangerous.”
My brows shot to my hairline. “To kayak? I can swim, you know.”
When he didn’t respond, something dawned on me. “Oh my God. Do you not swim? Is that why you never go in the lake?”
“I can swim.”
“Are you nervous because it’s going to get dark soon?”
“Just…I’ll go take a look at the island and see if the duck is there. Alright?”
“Is it only a one-person kayak?”
“No.”
“Then come on…” I walked toward Fox’s yard. “The island isn’t far. We’ll be back in twenty minutes.”
At the water’s edge, I turned to ask where the paddles were kept and realized Fox hadn’t moved. I laughed. “Are you coming or not?”
He didn’t look too happy about it, but eventually he walked over. He wiped away a few cobwebs and lifted the kayak off the wooden stand.
“Paddles are under the back deck,” he grumbled.
“Okay! I’ll get them while you put that in the water.”
I jogged to the deck and ducked under, grabbing the paddles off the top of a pile of water stuff I hadn’t realized was under here. “You have a floating mat and paddleboards?” I said, walking back. “Why don’t you ever use that stuff? I’ve never tried a stand-up paddleboard. I bet it’s great exercise.”
Fox took a paddle from my hand. “Get in, and I’ll push us off.”
I took off my socks and shoes and left them on the dock. “Alright, thanks.”
