“I, er, suppose you know how to drive it.”
“No, but between us, we can probably figure it out.” Laughing at her expression, he shook his head. “I’ve been operating boats since I was ten—and I’ve driven Dan’s more times than I can remember. You’ll be perfectly safe.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Wait—before we go, you’d better put on a hat. Your denim jacket will probably be warm enough, especially under the life vest, but your head might get cold from the wind in the boat.”
So that was why he had insisted she bring a knit cap, along with a heavier coat in case they wanted to sit outside after sundown. It was a mild weekend. Winter weather didn’t usually set in until mid to late December in Arkansas, so they could expect comfortable temperatures for the next two days.
“A little too cold for water-skiing, though,” Mike said regretfully.
“Yes, I think so.” Now wearing her red knit cap, she eyed the metallic blue boat in the boathouse with some trepidation. “It looks fast.”
He gave her a grin that made her heart skip a beat. “Baby, it is fast.”
Uncertain whether her racing pulse was due more to nerves or to Mike himself, Catherine took his outstretched hand and stepped into the boathouse.
Mike assisted her into a life jacket, his head close to hers as he helped her fasten the front snaps. Their hands tangled at the task, and for a moment he paused just to hold her hands and smile at her. She smiled back up at him, and she was dimly aware that this was one of those perfect moments she would treasure for the rest of her life.
“Catherine?”
“Mmm?”
“You sit in that seat. I’ll push us off.”
Blinking, she returned abruptly to reality. Looking in the direction he had indicated, she nodded and let him help her into the boat.
Mike didn’t remember ever seeing Catherine quite so relaxed as she was that afternoon. They’d had a very pleasant boat ride, during which he had been on his best behavior behind the wheel. The wind had whipped color into her cheeks, until they were almost as red as her cap. Her eyes had gleamed with pleasure as she had pointed out birds and other wildlife they passed during their cruise around the lake.
He had talked her into taking the wheel, and after her initial hesitation, she’d seemed to enjoy piloting a boat for the first time. And then she had turned the wheel back over to him and simply sat back in her seat to enjoy the remainder of the ride.
They had lunch after returning to the cabin, turkey and cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread with raw baby carrots and yogurt dip. Catherine had chosen the menu. He probably would have just grabbed some bologna and crackers. He had to admit the lunch she had put together was better.
She was the one who suggested a walk after lunch. They strolled along the road that ran next to the lake, stopping occasionally to admire a particularly interesting sight. A rock shiny with embedded quartz. A squirrel busily digging up something buried beneath a big oak tree. Tiny fish darting through the water lapping at the gravel bank.
At some point during their stroll, it just seemed natural
to reach out and take her hand. Their fingers interlaced as comfortably as if they had been walking this way for years.
He tried to analyze what he was feeling at that moment, but he could come up with only one word. Peaceful. There was no stress, no pressure, no reason to try to be anything other than himself. No other people around to come between them or remind them of their separate lives. There was just the easy contentment of being with Catherine.
Part of him wished he could hold on to this moment forever. Another part of him was aware that he would miss his family. His friends. His life.
They had reached a small playground area, where several others were taking advantage of the nice afternoon. Three women sat on a bench chatting while five children ranging in age from toddlers to perhaps eight or nine played on the slide and swings and climbing tower.
Mike grinned as a little boy launched himself down the slide with a yell. “Man, remember how it felt to be that free and unconcerned about anything beyond the moment?”
She watched two little girls chase each other playfully around a colorful plastic horse mounted on a heavy spring for rocking. “It’s hard to remember ever being that young.”
“So, were you one of those serious kids who never cut loose and played?”
She lifted an eyebrow, then nodded toward the climbing tower. “I’ll have you know I’d have been at the top of that tower in a heartbeat. I was Supergirl.”
“Supergirl, huh?” He was greatly intrigued by that revelation. “That was your childhood hero?”
“Well, Supergirl and Marie Curie.”
He grinned, delighted with the image. “Comic books?”