Catch of the Year (5 page)

“I appreciate the meal, Dipity, thanks.”

“No problem, Dad.”

Adrian eyed the table, helped himself to another pita, and spent some time and care in stuffing it to the gills. He took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. Then he looked accusingly at his father.

“The problem's with the arrangement you made without consulting anyone.”

Marigold waved her glass of cranberry juice. “We'll work something out.”

Swimming had calmed Jade, as it always did. Something about the rhythmic stroking and breathing soothed and restored.

Adrian held his pita between knobby fingers and looked anxiously at her.

“So what do you say, Dipity?”

Reconciled to the idea she'd have to help out, she said, “All right, I suppose.” She bit into her pita, started to lower it, and froze. An awful suspicion stole over her.

“Dad, this guy … did he tell you his name?”

“Of course. Anyhow, he put his purchases on his credit card.”

“So — what is it?”

“VISA, I think. What difference does that make? He'll probably give you cash. The guy looked good for a lot more than fifty dollars.”

“No, I meant his name.”

“Oh. That. Something really ordinary and everyday. Peter … no. Bill. John … er, Johnson.”

Jade closed her eyes.

“I don't believe this.” She opened her eyes wide. “His name is Paul Johnson, isn't it?”

Her father looked surprised. “Quite right. Did you see it in the book?”

“No, I heard it ringing in my head.”

Her mom coughed out a chortle. “And pounding through your heart, no doubt.”

Jade clutched her wet hair in a gesture of exasperation. “I can't possibly do this.”

“Why ever not?” Frank looked puzzled. “You just said you would.”

“Because … because … ” She stood up, ready to take another dive into the lake or maybe charge up the steps. That would equate to her daily stint on the Stairmaster. But maybe a good long swim would give Dad and Adrian time to work out another solution. Something,
anything,
else would do.

Marigold's cigarette-scratchy voice stopped her in her tracks.

“No escaping your karma. Go with him now, or compensate with interest next time around.”

Her dad's voice was softer, more persuasive. “Come on, Dipity. You can't simply leave this guy in the lurch.”

Her mind supplied another word:
again.

Poised at the water's edge, she stared down at the pebbled bottom. A few tiny, silvery minnows darted about as if imitating her frantic thoughts. Her father's words echoed in her ears and made her recall the sight of Paul standing abandoned on the side of the road; his almost hurt expression when he'd beeped at her before they disembarked from the ferry. No, she couldn't do that to him a third time. Telling herself Serendipity could manage a trip on the lake with Paul as long as she banished Jade, she cleared her throat and said the fateful word.

“Okay.”

• • •

Jade spent some time that afternoon checking over her fishing gear. Once she was satisfied that her reels, lines, hooks, and lures were in order, she carried her rod and fishing box down to the dock and stashed them in the old tub of a boat. Then she went back up to the house to collect an ice blue, fleecy sweater in case it got cold on the water, a flashlight, a towel, a bottle of pop, a packet of muffins, and another of trail mix.

Fresh air always made her hungry.

While occupied with these practical tasks, she was aware of an edgy, nervous excitement humming through her — a low, constant vibration, like a guitar string being plucked over and over again.

She was going to be with Paul.

Another risk, and greater than before. But she'd committed herself. Hopefully she'd do nothing to betray her other identity and put her career in jeopardy. All her years of study, the money and effort she'd put into getting her MBA, learning to fit into the corporate world, had finally started to pay off. If she were perceived as even slightly flakey, all her hard-fought-for credibility would crumble. Not to mention the wider effect on the agency. So there was only one way to handle this. She had to banish Jade completely. Let Serendipity take over. And trust she could pull it off.

Adrian had filled the gas can for her and put the container in the boat. Everything was ready and she was all set. Now to get over there and show Paul R.G. a thing or two about how to catch fish.

• • •

Across the lake, Paul stood to one side of the slipway, eagerly awaiting his ride and his initiation into the rites of fishing. He'd spent sixty-five minutes that afternoon practicing casting and was now ready to launch into the next exciting step — baiting the hook and letting the line hang in the water. Wow, he was really getting into this new sport. He'd even bought a disposable waterproof camera, to record his first catch, as well as a new special watch.

Right on time, almost down to the second, he heard the engine of a boat approaching from the direction of the slowly sinking, westerly sun. He held up a hand to cut out the glare. Sure enough, a red-painted tub was headed his way.

This young guy must have as much of a thing for punctuality as his boss. No, don't go there, Johnson, he told himself. The idea is to forget about work. If you have to think about Jade Jellicoe, rather think about her delectable but enigmatic double — Serendipity.

No difficulty there.

The boat drew closer. The figure sitting at the stern grew clearer, although with the sun behind him, he was still in silhouette. Funny shape for a teenaged boy — a slim waist, rounded hips. Somehow the form seemed familiar … . Unless, could it be? His well-trained memory for images kicked in.

It seemed far, far too good to be true, but it
was
her.

Serendipity.

• • •

Jade approached the dock, her hands sweaty, her pulse putt-putting along with the low horsepower engine. There he stood, holding up a clutch of fishing rods as if he were Neptune and they formed his trident. Khaki-green waterproof waders covered him up to his thighs, and he wore a cargo jacket, a genuine one, with bulging pockets, even though the heat of the day hadn't yet faded. Something shifted inside her. This was the first time she'd ever seen Paul look ridiculous. Her heart turned to marshmallow — a soft, squishy, pink one.

“Well, well, well, what a serendipitous surprise,” he greeted her, the devastating dimple much in evidence.

She tossed her head and managed a carefree smile. “Hallo, Paul.”

“Twice in twenty-four hours! This is starting to feel like that chameleon thing.”

A sinking feeling he may have sussed her out made the boat wobble. Almost she could hear her mother saying, “See what a guilty conscience does for you?”

“What do you mean? Have I changed color and now match the water or something?”

He considered her. “Your tee shirt's not far off.”

His gaze rested appreciatively on the tight turquoise garment. “I'm thinking of that thing Boy George used to sing about when I was a teenager.”

That was a no brainer.

“Karma,” Jade said, grabbing on to the side and easing the boat closer. She jumped off onto the dock, holding the rope to make sure the boat didn't drift away.

Paul came closer, squishing stiffly in his waders.

“So you have another name,” he said.

Busy twisting the rope around the metal cleat, Jade froze. Her whole body went cold, when seconds ago, it had been warm.

“I do?” Her squeak hit the upper registers.

“According to Frank, you're Adrian.”

Oh the relief! Even to her own ears, her laugh sounded false. She kept her head down and finished securing the boat.

Paul added, “I thought he was referring to his son.”

“He was.” Standing again, she lifted her chin.

He looked her over. As if the breeze had turned to flame, she felt heat brush over her body.

“I see you couldn't quite achieve a shape shift.”

She said casually, “Adrian's my kid brother. And actually, it was the babysitting shift that caused the swap around.”

Paul took a step toward her. “That was a lucky break for me.”

Oh boy. Something new lit up inside her and started blinking Danger. She'd better find a fire extinguisher, and quickly.

Nothing like a little gentle ridicule to lower the sexual temperature. Lips twitching, eyebrows raised, she said, “I see you're totally kitted out.”

He glanced down at himself. “Guess I went overboard, huh?”

“Not yet.” She indicated he should get into the boat. “I'll pass your gear to you.” Still clutching the rods, he took a large, awkward step and landed on the floorboards. The little craft tipped wildly. “Though it looks like you're keeping a dive into the lake as an option.”

Paul regained his balance and sat down. “What if I misbehave?”

“Then you'll find out, won't you?”

Clearly, he was not used to being around boats. He sat there looking clueless, but stood up again when Jade began passing his gear to him. Once his fancy fishing box, the bait, the camera, and everything else were safely stowed, she prepared to set out again. Meanwhile, Paul stood teetering in the middle of the boat, clearly at a loss.

Jade bent to undo the rope. She nodded toward the front of the craft.

“Bow,” she said.

Paul's eyebrows shot up. Then, instead of stepping over the thwart and moving to sit up front, he slowly, formally, bent forward from the waist.

“Paul? What are you doing?”

He straightened with a jerk, which set the boat rocking again.

“You tell me. You're the skipper. I'm just obeying orders.”

“What orders?”

“You said I should bow.”

She stared at him for a few seconds then began to laugh. “You dummy! I meant, sit in the front of the boat.”

“Oh. Okay.” He sounded relieved. “That's cool. I thought this was some kind of secret, pre-fishing ritual, like I had to make a gesture to the spirit of the lake before I robbed her of the fish.”

Jade jumped in and started the motor, hoping it would drown out the sound of her merriment. She didn't want the male ego to take too much of a knock.

The boat forged onward at a slow but steady pace. In a way she was glad her family wasn't wealthy enough to own one of the newer, fancier craft with an overly powerful engine, or even two. This speed suited her just fine. She gazed out over the glistening water, taking in the surrounding beauty of the lake and its forested shoreline, the sweep of rosy clouds in the sky. Her spirits swelled with a kind of transcendental joy. How she missed all this when she was in the city.

In front of her, Paul sat still except for turning his head occasionally to look at one side and then the other. They chugged through the narrows between two small islands and headed for a sheltered spot where a rocky cliff dropped sheer into the water. There the lake was deep and still. It was a place where Jade usually managed to haul out a good pike or two.

She killed the engine and let down the anchor.

“This'll do it.”

“Great,” Paul said, his voice hushed, almost awed. “I'm beginning to get what this is all about.”

He spoke as if he shared and understood all her feelings for the lake. She backed away from that idea.

“Oh yeah? And you haven't even baited your hook yet.”

Was that a little shudder he gave?

“No, but I did check the contents of the bait tub earlier.”

She saw his throat bob as he swallowed. Could it be this hunky grown man, whom she could swear was positively pumping with testosterone, was just a tad squeamish? Biting her lower lip to keep herself from grinning, she watched him pick up the small, plastic container, and pry off the lid.

“Guess I'd better get to it, then.” After another minute of staring at squirming worms, he braced his shoulders, reached for his rod, and picked up the hook. Dark brows drew together, almost meeting above his Roman nose as he concentrated on the task.

She watched his fumbling for a bit. Unable to stop herself, she got up and stepped toward the middle of the boat.

“Let me show you. Move over here.” She patted the plank. “Sit next to me, so I can help.”

The smile grew slowly but ended up so stunning that she blinked.

“Great. Sure. Thanks, Serendipity.”

Already busy with the bait, she replied. “You're welcome. But do make it Dipity.”

“Dippity-do? Like the hair gel my mom used to use? Sounds funny.”

“No cheap cracks, or we'll revert to the full five syllables.”

Soon they were sitting peacefully in the soft twilight, rods at the ready, watching their floats bobbing, each on one side of the boat.

Paul lifted his wrist. “See this neat fishing watch I bought from your dad?” He fiddled with the winder. “I'm setting it to see how long it takes me to hook my first big one.”

Jade didn't like to disillusion him, but she had to add a word of caution. “Don't expect anything to happen any time soon. It can take hours before you even get a nibble.”

The air was still warm, but Jade was aware of a tingling chill on her skin. As always when she was out on the water, she began to reconnect with the blessings of nature, renewing her spirit. Somehow, this evening, the fact that Paul was here with her colored her surroundings with a special glaze. Being with him didn't feel quite real. If she leaned sideways, would she truly feel him sitting beside her? And if she turned her head, would her eyes meet his?

She gave a little shiver. About to look over her shoulder, she heard an urgent whisper.

“Hey! Look! Something's happening.”

So he really was there. How amazing.

She looked around. Sure enough, Paul's float trembled and dipped. “You don't have to whisper, Paul. I doubt the fish can hear you.”