“The boat handled beautifully. We were able to take a couple tributaries back into the woods.”
“We felt like Lewis and Clark.”
Lauren laughed. She’d discovered some of the tributaries that ran into the lake but hadn’t quite trusted her boating skills to maneuver one.
“The gas is below a quarter tank.”
“Thanks, we’ll fill it up.” She helped the Cavendishes onto the pier, where they removed their life vests, then gave Graham the attention he practically begged for.
The sixtysomething couple had come for the fall foliage, and the mid-October display did not disappoint. In the past week and a half, the color had trickled down the mountains into the valley. Vibrant hues now lined the lakeshore, delighting tourists and locals alike.
“We’d better go change,” the woman said. “We took your advice and made a reservation at The Landing tonight.”
“Have a wonderful time,” Lauren called as the couple made their way back to their cabin. She’d never been to the town’s most extravagant restaurant, but she’d heard great things. Or maybe shehadbeen to the restaurant and just couldn’t remember. She gave her head a shake. It was so strange when your brain kept secrets from you.
She gave the boat a glance. The cabins would be full this weekend and someone would want to take a ride. She needed to gas it up but wasn’t sure how. Likely, she’d been taught over the summer, but that was no help now. Tom and Tammy had taken their own trip to the mountains to enjoy the foliage and Meg was off-site today. Maybe Jonah would have a moment.
The idea didn’t offend her as it would’ve several weeks ago. At six weeks removed from her accident, she still hadn’t retrieved a single memory from the summer. But ever since witnessing Jonah’s grief on the basketball court—and his subsequent apology—their relationship had shifted into new territory. They chatted easily and occasionally texted. She was beginning to see what she might’ve admired in him before—she just wasn’t willing to pursue a romantic relationship with him now.
She whipped out her phone and sent him a text.The motorboat needs gas. Do you have a minute to show me how?
She stored the life vests under the bench seats, then returned to her cabin for a quick cup of coffee. By the time she was halfway finished, Jonah’s text came in.I can meet you at the dock in five.
Sounds good.She fixed her ponytail and checked her minimal makeup in the mirror. What was she doing? She was only going to fill up the boat. Giving her head a sharp shake, she donned her shoes.
“You’re staying here this time, buddy.” She ruffled Graham’s fur. The dog had been on the go with her all morning. “You need a nap.”
She grabbed her phone and headed outside. The sun shone through the colorful canopy, dappling the ground with golden light. Minutes latershe stepped from the shade just as a cloud moved over the sun, chilling the air.
When she reached the dock, Jonah was already standing at the end and staring over the lake, hands braced on his slim hips. She had to admit he cut a fine form in his snug faded jeans and sweatshirt. She could certainly see why that writer had been obsessed with him last week. Lauren had never been so glad for a guest’s departure.
Her feelings on the subject were confusing—and not something she cared to explore on this beautiful October day.
The shaking of the pier gave away her arrival. Jonah turned, a welcoming smile curling his lips. “The colors are especially vibrant this year.”
“They’re beautiful all right. And we have eight cabins full of people coming this weekend to enjoy them.”
“They’re in for a treat.” He assisted her into the boat.
“Sorry if you already showed me how to do this. Hope I didn’t interrupt your studies.”
“I don’t mind showing you again. Good excuse to get out on the water.”
They slipped on their vests. Then he took the captain’s seat and started the motor. A moment later they were cutting through the choppy water, heading for the gas docks on the other side of the lake. At the steady pace he maintained, the trip would take about twenty minutes.
She was glad she’d put her hair back, though some strands had come loose and now fluttered around her jawline. Jonah’s hair was too short to do much more than ruffle a bit. He’d shaved this morning and his jawline appeared as smooth as silk. She could almost feel the softness of his skin, the heat of his flesh, against the pads of her fingers. Her fingers twitched and she chalked it up to the forgotten archives in her brain.
Get a grip, Lauren.
She shifted to the view ahead of them. There weren’t many boats out today—surprising since it was a Friday. But then it was only eleven. Anyway, she hardly minded that they had the lake mostly to themselves.
She cut a glance at Jonah, who navigated the narrow pass under the bridge with the confidence of a man who’d been boating his whole life. He was competent and hardworking. She could’ve admitted that even back in the early days when she’d considered him a thorn in her side. He clearly loved the resort and anticipated the day he’d run it full-time. This was home for him.
“How’s your schoolwork going?” she asked over the hum of the engine.
“Fine, I guess.”
She knew from Meg that he was an A student. Learning came easily, but then he’d been raised in this business. He probably knew from experience the things most of the other students were learning from textbooks. “At least you’re almost finished.”
