“I’ve got a blanket back there.”
He waited until they were a mile from town before he spoke again. “Think Izzy’ll sleep a wink tonight?” It wasn’t his best, but he didn’t want to leave Abbie too much opportunity to ask questions right now. She’d never agree to this if she knew what he was up to.
A sliver of a smile crossed Abbie’s lips. A smile he’d missed so much. “Doubtful.”
“She’s adorable.” Logan sucked in a breath. “I hardly recognize her, she’s grown so much.”
The smile faded and Abbie stared straight ahead. “That’s what happens when you leave and don’t come back.”
In another time, he would’ve taken her hand, given it a squeeze, and found a way to make her understand. But too much had passed between them since. Patience, he told himself. Patience was his only shot at a second chance with Abbie Bennington.
“I didn’t want to stay gone,” he said, keeping his voice calm and even. “Just didn’t feel welcome.”
Slowing for a turn into a recreational area, he rolled down a back window for Gibbs. No doubt Abbie caught sight of the sign that readShimmering Lake Recreation Area.
“Why are we here?”
He placed both hands on the wheel to keep himself from brushing away a stray wavy lock clinging to her chin. “Because you want an interview.” He flashed a smirk at her before parking the truck and hopping out.
“I never agreed tothis.”
So she’d spotted the canoe tied off to the fishing dock. It was a little ricketier than he expected, but for a last-minute favor, he couldn’t complain. He just hoped it’d hold all three of them without sinking.
He reached for a couple of blankets, using his body to keep Gibbs from shooting out from the back of the truck like a massive bottle rocket.
“Gibbs won’t fit in there,” she objected.
Since Abbie still had his leash, he closed the door to keep Gibbs secured in the back seat. “Sure, he will,” Logan said over his shoulder as he made his way to the ramp to make sure.Barely. The dog would have no room to turn around, but he’d fit.
“He’s never been near the water,” Abbie hollered down to him. But she clipped the leash on and let him out of the truck anyway. Gibbs’s fluffy brown tail bounced in happiness. It was one step in the right direction.
“Good time to introduce him, don’t you think?” He situated the blankets in the canoe, unfolding one enough to make a spot for the dog. No telling if Gibbs would stay put or end up capsizing them, but either might work in his favor. The lake wasn’t that deep, and there were towels in the truck if the worst should happen.
“Logan, I don’t know—”
“Abbs, look how excited he is.”
Gibbs was zipping in zig-zags, tail swishing, negating any objections she might still have. “He’s your responsibility, then.” She extended the leash, leaving it dangling from her outstretched hand. “I’m not liable for anything that happens.”
“Hey, buddy.” Logan knelt to hide his smile at the prospect of wrapping a drenched Abbie in a beach towel. And of holding her in his arms to keep her warm. Gibbs gave him a big, sloppy lick on the cheek.
The dog was not about to be contained, but he hesitated at the edge of the ramp when Logan encouraged him into the canoe. “Why don’t you get in first?” he suggested to Abbie. “It might help reassure him.”
She took a couple steps, close enough the honey scent of her shampoo drifted toward him in the slight breeze. “You promise to answer another question?”
“Yes.” He held out his hand to help her in. “Get in.”
“Two?” she asked, ignoring the hand offered.
He slyly traced a finger along her chin, tipping her face toward him for a moment. Something flashed in her eyes.Longing. He glanced at her lips, tempted. So tempted. “Don’t push your luck, sweetheart,” he teased. Though he yearned to draw her in for a kiss, into his arms as he’d thought about for months, he backed away and broke the contact between them.
She stepped into the canoe, careful to keep her face turned away, but he’d caught a glimpse of those flushed cheeks. He hid a victorious smile as he waited for the boat to stop rocking. Despite their turbulent ending, he now held out hope. He still had an effect on her that she couldn’t deny.
“Your turn,” he said to the dog. Gibbs looked at him, then Abbie, and back again. He started to pedal backward toward the shore, nearly knocking Logan off the little ramp.
Abbie crossed her legs at the ankles, resting her hands behind her along the edges of the canoe. She wasn’t about to offer help. “I don’t think you’re going to get him in here.”
After a couple more failed attempts and a lot of whining, Logan fished a treat out of his pocket, catching Gibbs’s full attention.
