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When the heron settles down, apparently finished with his meal, Bishop raises up on his forearms, putting a few inches of space between us. He gazes into my face with his forehead furrowed. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. Are you?”
His eyes bore into mine and thesmolderis back. “Never better.”
We stare at each other for a long moment, and then he lowers his face toward mine. It’s a small movement, the tiniest fraction of an inch. But it’s enough to steal the breath from my lungs and send a shiver of anticipation through my entire body. If I tilt my chin ever-so-slightly, our mouths will meet.
Bishop brushes his nose against mine. “Hazel…” His voice is a ragged whisper.
Honey barks again, and I gasp, pushing against Bishop’s chest. “My dog!”
Bishop rolls off of me, and we both scramble to the side of the pier on our hands and knees. He reaches the edge first and looks over. With a chuckle, he reaches down and scoops up my sweet girl. He cradles her to his chest like a baby as she attempts to lick his face.
I laugh, reaching out to pet Honey. “When are you going to learn to leave that cat alone, huh? He’s no good for you.” Bishop sets her down and she instantly lowers her nose to the ground, tracking Houdini’s scent. “A glutton for punishment, I see.”
I look around for Houdini, but he and the heron are both gone.
And so is the trout.
Bishop notices the missing fish, too. “Looks like I lost my fish. I guess I’d better check the rest of the lines before it gets dark.”
Just like that, he’s back to business as usual. As if nothing’s changed between us.
But something has changed for me. For the first time, it feels like there’s a chance Bishop may reciprocate my feelings. It’s enough to rock my world off its axis.
And that’s not all that’s changed.
Even in the midst of the chaotic cat/dog/bird debacle, I never heard a peep from David Attenborough.
Chapter 6
Bishop
Istareattheclock on my nightstand, watching the minutes tick by. After tossing and turning for hours, I finally fall into a fitful sleep, only be to woken by a nightmare of Tuck pummeling my face with a kayak paddle.
I almost kissed Hazel.
And that single act of stupidity may have ruined everything. She may never want to see me again. I may have blown our friendship to smithereens.
And not just mine and Hazel’s, but mine and Tuck’s, too. Jared may also hate me if he finds out. Heck, the whole town could turn its back on me. The citizens of Friendly are loyal to their own, but everyone thinks of me as an extension of the Tuck family.The best friend who’s like a brother. The honorary uncle.If it comes to siding with me or the Tuck family, I know where I’ll stand.Alone.
And who could blame them? What kind of maniac tries to kiss a woman while they’re in danger of being attacked by a giant bird?
But I couldn’t help myself. With her body pinned beneath mine, and the floral scent of her hair assaulting my senses, I was rendered temporarily insane.
That’s it! I’ll plead insanity. Would Hazel by that defense? Would Tuck?
Maybe it’d be better to just pretend like it never happened. I’m always advising my clients to just keep their mouths closed. If you don’t talk, you can’t incriminate yourself.
It’s good advice.
But what if Hazelwantedme to kiss her? She’d left quickly while I was reeling in the fishing lines, saying she should get home and start packing for her move. But she hadn’t yelled at me or shoved me into the creek. That’s a good sign… right?
Yes, it’s a longshot. But if there’s even the tiniest chance that Hazel has feelings for me, shouldn’t I find out?
With a groan, I bury my face into my pillow. Maybe I’ll just play it by ear. I’ll haul my gear to the beach and fish while the sun comes up. If Hazel is there, I’ll gauge her mood and decide where to go from there. Maybe I’ll say something like, “That was weird last night, wasn’t it?” With any luck, she’ll steer the conversation after that. Perhaps she’ll say, “I don’t see any wild animals right now. So, let’s try that kiss again.”
What? It could happen…
