Then Came Love (8 page)

“Thank you, Heather. You’ll call me if there’s any change, won’t you?”

“I will.” The nurse hesitated. “I hope you’re having a restful time.”

Amanda thought of everything that had happened and almost laughed. “Very restful. Thanks.”

“All right then. Talk to you in a day or two.”

Amanda disconnected and a feeling of unease crept up her spine. She should really check the Range Rover to ensure that it was ready in case she was called back. She went outside and walked around it, kicking the tires. The crumpled passenger door was unsightly, but didn’t affect the performance of the car. She squatted down and looked under the car. A dark puddle stained the soil. She touched it, brought it to her nose. Oil.

“Will it start?” Kathy looked up when Amanda told her the news. She’d been placing the order Amanda and Carlos put together.

“Yes, I tried.”

Kathy was already scrolling through the numbers on her cell phone. “We have a great mechanic in town. He’ll call the tow truck for you. Would you like me to set it up for you?”

“Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate that.”

* * *

“Good thing you looked.” Carlos watched the tow truck haul away the SUV. They were in the kitchen where Amanda was slipping a tray of crème brulée into the oven. “Now at least you’ll be safe when you drive back.”

She closed the oven door, set the timer and looked out the window. She didn’t want to go back. If it weren’t for Gran she’d stay here and see if the chemistry with Jackson was real.
In your dreams
, she thought and went back to work.

* * *

Jackson was waiting for her when she stepped onto the dock at eight o’clock, and he had somebody with him.

“But you promised, Jackson. You said you’d teach me how to fish.” Logan stood resolutely on the dock, fishing pole in one hand and small tackle box in the other. “Carlos promised to cook them for me.”

Jackson squatted down so he was eye to eye with the child. “I know pal, but I’ve been busy.” He looked up at Amanda and for a moment she thought he was going to invite the child to come along. “I’m taking Amanda out tonight. She’s been working hard all day in the kitchen.”

Logan looked up at her, his bottom lip quivering.

“Why don’t you practise casting off the dock?” Jackson checked the boy’s fishing line. “You might even catch something.”

“Don’t want to cast off the dock.”

“I know. It’s not nearly as much fun. But I’ll do my best to take you out in the next couple of days. Okay?”

The child’s eyes brightened. “Promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Logan watched as Jackson placed the picnic basket, blankets and towels in the middle of the canoe. He then steadied it while Amanda got settled, facing him. He’d placed cushions in the bow so that she could sit back in comfort while he paddled. When everything was to his liking he pushed off and then turned back to wave at Logan.

“I never should have promised to teach him how to fish,” he murmured.

“I suppose we could have brought him with us.” Amanda trailed a hand in the water.

Jackson shook his head. “No way.” He smiled at her and his eyes lingered on her mouth. “This is our time.”

She looked away, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. “Where are we going?”

“Not far.” He propelled the canoe forward with long, sure strokes. “Just into the next lake. It’s called Sandy Lake. I was there the other day and I noticed a nice little beach on the far side. The road doesn’t go around there, so it’s fairly deserted.”

She looked back at him, startled for a moment. He was watching her with that slow, sexy smile that had first captivated her. Warmth flooded her entire body. It was too late now, but she never should have suggested this picnic. He probably thought–

“I feel sorry for the beavers.”

His comment snapped her out of her reverie. “I’m sorry?”

They were approaching the narrow cut that joined the two lakes. “The beavers. They try to dam this up every year and every year someone comes along and frees it up.”

She thought for a moment. “That doesn’t seem fair to the beavers.”

“You’re right, but since when has fair ever entered into it?”

“You have a point.” She fell silent as they glided through the narrow waterway.

It was easy to see how Sandy Lake had acquired its name. She looked over the side of the canoe and could see the light coloured sand that covered the bottom. The clear water made it difficult to judge the depth of the lake.

He slowed for a minute and looked over the side. “It’s odd, isn’t it, being able to see the bottom. It looks like you could reach out and touch it.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” It was amazing how frequently their thoughts ran parallel.

He started paddling again and she sat back to enjoy the sight. “You said you found the beach the other day. What were you doing over here?” They were coming up even with Vince’s cottage.

“I was checking with a fellow I know over at Water Lily Bay resort. He fixes all the boat motors in the area and I was hoping to get a part for one of our outboards.”

“Was he able to help you?”

“No, but I got it running until I can get the part from town.” He pointed ahead. “Now there’s the nicest place on the lake.”

Amanda composed her face before she looked.

“Yes, it’s lovely.” Vince had done one thing right; he’d built the cottage to blend in with the trees. Floor to ceiling windows glinted through the trees and a broad patio ran across the front, featuring massive planters and comfortable seating areas.

“I hear it’s owned by someone from Vancouver. He rarely uses it.”

Amanda smiled sadly. “Probably has deep pockets. If it was mine, I’d be up here all the time.”

His expression altered as he looked at the cottage. The change lasted only a moment and then he steered away, toward the opposite shore. “Well then, I’m glad it’s not yours. Because then I wouldn’t have met you.”

The call of a loon floated across the lake, answered a moment later by its mate.

“That’s a beautiful sound.”

“I love that sound.”

They both spoke at once.

Jackson stopped paddling and rested the paddle horizontally across the gunwales. Water dripped from the end like a string of crystal pearls. “Have you noticed how much we think alike?” he asked softly. The loon warbled again.

She nodded. He was breaking her heart, looking at her like that. She forced herself to maintain eye contact. “This wasn’t such a good idea.”

“You’re right” he said, “even though it’s what we both want.”

“Yes.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

He picked up the paddle. “Well I for one am not going to waste this perfectly good evening. Besides, I’m hungry.” He eyed the picnic hamper. “What did you bring?”

This was a subject she could converse about. “Not much. Fried chicken, coleslaw, potato salad and sliced tomatoes.”

“What? No dessert?” His eyes drifted down her body for a moment, then he seemed to catch himself. “Not that it matters.”

“I brought some fresh peaches and some chocolate chip cookies.”

“Aha. You know the way to a man’s heart.” He looked ahead. “There it is.”

Moments later the canoe hissed up onto the sand. Jackson jumped out into the shallow water and steadied it. It was the first time she’d noticed that he was in bare feet.

“Where are your shoes?”

“Back at the resort. I figured I didn’t need them here.” He offered her his hand and she climbed out.

“Here. You take the blankets and the cushions. I’ll get the rest of the stuff.”

It took them no time at all to get settled.

“Do you mind if we eat?” he said. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was hungry.” He gave her a sharp look. “I hope you’ll eat something too. You seem thinner in the past couple of days.”

“Are you trying to flatter me?” She fluttered her eyelashes, but ended up laughing.

He smiled. “No, seriously. I don’t want you to get sick.”

She stopped pretending. “I’ve been worried about Gran. I phone every day and they say she’s fine, but I worry about being here.”

He took a bite of chicken and groaned with pleasure. It was good to see him eat with such enthusiasm. “Did I see your car being towed today?”

“Yes, it was leaking oil. Good thing I looked.”

He put a piece of chicken and some salad on a plate and handed it to her. “Here, eat.”

“Okay.” It was good. They ate quietly for a few minutes.

Amanda wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Can I ask you something?”

He was still eating. “Fire away,” he said between bites.

“Why are you up here taking care of boats for Dave and Kathy? You seem like an educated guy; you’re attractive and well spoken. Why are you up here?” She held up a hand. “Nothing against Dave and Kathy, but it seems to me you could do just about anything you want.”

He stilled. “And what would that be?”

She fidgeted nervously. “Now I’ve made you angry. I’m sorry. It was none of my business.”

The smile was back again. “I understand what you meant.” He looked at his plate and seemed surprised to find it empty. “I’m taking some time off. I was in the navy for eight years, but one day I realized it wasn’t for me.” His gaze roamed out over the lake. “There’s no unemployment in the military, and they have a great pension plan, but it wasn’t what I wanted long term.” It was a story he’d practiced so often he almost believed it. He hated to lie to her, but there was no way around it. “So here I am. Dave and Mike were friends in school. I came up here to visit, and the rest is history, as they say.”

“Oh.” She studied him openly. “I thought there was something about you.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You know...you seem confident.”

“It’s all an act.” He grinned and stood up. “I’m going to wash my hands. By the way, that was a great meal. Best I’ve had in a long time.” He paused. “Do you mind if I fish for a while? I brought my rod and reel.”

“Not at all. Are we allowed to make a fire here? It’ll keep away the mosquitoes.”

“I think that would be okay as long as we’re careful. Do you want me to help?”

“I’ll let you know. I’ll gather some firewood first, and any rocks if I can find them.”

He made his way along the shore to a small point and walked out until the water lapped at his knees. Silhouetted against the sky, he looked like something out of a tourist brochure. She watched him while she gathered wood for the fire, amazed at how comfortable she felt with him.

She scraped out a small indentation in the sand and encircled it with rocks she’d found closer to the woods. Then she piled dried grasses and twigs in the bottom, layered larger pieces on top and lit it. Within moments it was crackling away.

“Looks good.” Jackson returned carrying two trout.

Amanda inspected the fish. “These are beautiful. What are they?”