I chuckled at his bewildered expression. “Yeah,fishing. You ever cast a line?”
He shrugged. “Not really. I mean, maybe a time or two growing up with my dad, but nothing since then.”
“Great. All the more reason for you to come. Can’t live by Lake Coeur d’Alene and not fish.”
“But your yard…”
“…can wait. I’m serious, Alex. You need a break.”
He eyed Roxy skeptically. “What about her?”
I gave Roxy a good scratch behind the ears, which made her tongue loll out with a look of pure relaxation. “She can come when she’s better. Right now, she needs to lie low and let that leg heal.”
Alex’s jaw ticked in a way that I was starting to recognize as his tell. “I don’t like leaving her.”
“Look, I know it’s hard, especially when you’re used to her being with you all the time, but she really needs to take it easy for now. Let her heal, and in a few weeks, she’ll be playing tug of war for real with you again. Good as new.” When he didn’t object this time, I took it as a victory and grinned. “Let me take a shower and get something to eat. Then we’ll head out. Deal?”
Reluctantly, Alex nodded. “Okay.”
An hour later, we pulled up into the parking lot of Riverbend Reels. I knew the moment I walked into the place that I’d want to come back. There were aisles upon aisles of high quality but affordably priced gear, all of it aimed at the enthusiastic fisherman.
“Wow,” Alex murmured, looking around.
“Yeahhhh,” I said, a little dreamily. “They sure know how to lure a guy in.”
Alex chuckled. “Careful, Doc. I might need to wipe drool off your chin.”
I smacked him in the chest and went down the first aisle, reaching out to touch a few of the nicer items on display. For the next two hours, Alex and I wandered nearly every inch of the store, and his teasing only got worse the more excited I became.
Slowly, his fun banter morphed into what felt like genuine interest. He began asking me questions about the different kinds of reels and lures, and his eyes shone with excitement as he started to understand the significance of the weights listed on each package. It only made the experience that much more enjoyable for me, having someone there to share it with. And honestly, it was the most relaxed I’d seen Alex since… well, ever.
It wasn’t until I made Alex hold one of the lightweight carbon poles that something clicked into place, and he seemed to understand my appreciation. He turned it over and ran his fingers along the shaft, admiring it.
“Okay, yeah. I think I get it now. This rod feels better than the other one. I like the way it fits in my hand,” he said, noticing the grip.
I grinned, loving the way that innocent innuendo just seemed to roll off his tongue. “You like a nice rod in your hand, do you?”
Alex blushed and stammered for a change of subject. “I meant… It’s… The color is nice too.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you’re flustered?” I teased, enjoying his crimson cheeks way too much.
With a basket full of new lures and flies and the fishing rod Alex had carried through half the store, we made our way to the checkout, talking the entire time. The smile on Alex’s face hadn’t wavered since we’d arrived, and I loved seeing it.
“I can’t wait to get to the lake to try these out,” I said as we reached the truck and opened the door.
Alex suddenly paused, feeling for something in his pocket. “Hey, I think I dropped something, I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I climbed inside and reached for the bag, admiring the contents one more time while I waited.
A few minutes passed before the passenger door opened and Alex slipped inside without saying a word.
“All good?” I asked.
He nodded and reached for his seatbelt. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
We pulled up to an empty bank along the south side of the lake a short time later and climbed out. The sun was dancing between clouds, and there was a bit of a breeze teasing the tall grass that lined the water’s edge, making it just cold enough to need our sweaters. Reaching in the back, I grabbed the waist-high waders I’d thrown into the truck earlier and held a pair out to Alex.
“What’s that?”
