Marta Perry - Hunter's Bride and A Mother's Wish

“That might be worth it.” Before he could react, she pulled herself easily onto the seat behind him.

Freed from the restraint of her grasp, the small craft curtseyed in the gentle swell. Luke grabbed the side, and she pretended not to notice.

“I’ll paddle first.” She dipped the paddle into the water, sending them forward. “When you feel comfortable, join in.”

She stroked evenly and watched the tension in his shoulders. For a few minutes he didn’t move. Then, slowly, he began to relax. He released his grip on the side and turned his head to glance back at her paddle. She saw him in profile—mouth set, eyes alert, finding his way in unfamiliar territory.

“I pull on the same side as you?” He dipped his paddle into the water.

“That’s right, just not too deep. Don’t worry about the rhythm. I’ll match my stroke to yours.”

The instant he started paddling, the kayak picked up speed. They skimmed across the water. His stroke, uncertain at first, settled into a rhythm, even though his hands grasped so hard that his knuckles were white.

“Not bad,” he said. “Not bad at all.”

“Just remember that you control the kayak. It responds to your movements. If you lean over too far, we’ll both be in the drink.”

He turned toward her enough that she could see his lips twitch. “As you said, it might be worth it.”

She let him set the pace, her strokes compensating for his inexpert ones. Gradually his movements became smoother, and the grasp he had on the paddle eased. She could see the moment at which he began to enjoy it, and something that had been tight inside her eased.

She lifted her face to the breeze, pleasure flooding her. She’d told herself it was only fair that Luke do something he found difficult, given the situation he’d pushed her into. But she knew that wasn’t the real reason she’d wanted to do this.

This was the world she loved. Maybe she didn’t belong here any longer, in spite of what Gran said, but she did love it. Especially on a day like this, with sunlight sparkling on the water and the gentle murmur of waves kissing the shore. She watched droplets fall from the paddle, crystal in the light. She wanted Luke to love it, too.

No, not love it. That was too much to ask. But she didn’t want to imagine him going back to Chicago and amusing his friends with stories of his stay here. She wanted him to appreciate her place and her people, no matter how alien they were to him.

She stopped paddling, reaching forward to touch his arm. His warm skin made her fingers tingle, and she tried to ignore the sensation. “Look.”

He rested the paddle on his knees and followed the direction she pointed. She heard his breath catch as the dolphins broke the surface of the water.

“They look a lot bigger from this angle.”

“We’re at their level now.” She smiled, watching the flashes of silver as the dolphins wheeled through the waves. “Sometimes they’ll come right up to the kayak, as if they want to play.”

“I think I’d just as soon watch them from a distance.” Luke glanced back at her. “I’m sure you’d rather play with them.”

“They’re old friends.” As she said the words, she realized how much she’d missed this. “They come back to the sound every year. Maybe…” She stopped, not sure she wanted to say it. It sounded foolish.

“Maybe what?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes I think they’re the descendants of Chloe’s dolphins.”

He turned toward her, expression skeptical. “Isn’t that a little fanciful?”

“I know it’s not likely.” She hated sounding defensive. Why shouldn’t she believe that if she wanted to? “But the same pod does come back year after year. They belong here just as much as we do.”

“Maybe you’re right—”

His voice had softened, as if he realized it was important to her. As if he cared that it was important to her.

“But it looks as if they’re done showing off for us today.”

She nodded, watching the silver arcs disappear toward open ocean. “They’re probably heading farther out to feed. And I don’t suppose you want to go out after them….”

“I’ll have to get a lot better before I want to chase down dolphins in this thing.” Luke picked up his paddle. “But I’m willing to practice.”

“Okay.” She dipped into the water. “Let’s head for the buoy. You’ll be able to see that tract of land near the yacht club from there.”

He nodded, adjusting his movement to hers, and in a second they were paddling in unison. Luke’s stroke picked up speed, sending the kayak flying across the water.

“Are we racing?” she asked, meeting his speed.

He turned his head again to smile at her, and this time the pure enjoyment in his face set her nerves vibrating.

“Too bad we don’t have anyone to race.”

“Don’t you mean anyone to beat?” she asked.

He shrugged. “That’s the same thing, isn’t it?”

Maybe to him, it was. His question resonated, disturbing her pleasure in the moment. Luke excelled in competition, and she’d gotten used to that over the past few years. It seemed natural back in their business world. Here his competitiveness struck a jarring note, reminding her of the differences between them.

“There’s the yacht club—” She pointed. “Uncle Jeff owns the land that adjoins it.”

Luke shaded his eyes. “Is it up for sale?”

“I’d guess anything Uncle Jeff owns is up for sale, if the price is right.” She heard the censure in her words and regretted it. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Why?”

Luke sent a puzzled look over his shoulder, and she realized he hadn’t even reacted to the family problem that weighed on her. This was business. And theirs was a business relationship, nothing more.

“Never mind. Let’s take a break.” She shifted her weight, turning the craft toward shore. “We’d best put some more sunscreen on before we get burned.”

They rode the waves to shore, then dragged the kayak onto the sand. Chloe dropped to the beach towel she’d spread out and dug in her bag for the bottle of sunscreen. She tossed it to Luke.

“So, what did you think?” She nodded toward the kayak. “Think you could get to like kayaking?”

“Not bad.” Luke rubbed lotion vigorously on his neck and shoulders. “Not bad at all.” He held out the bottle to her. “Thanks, Chloe. I’m glad you pushed me into it, even if you were just trying to pay me back.”

She smoothed the lotion along her legs, watching the movement of her hand so she didn’t have to look at him. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”

He grinned. “Chloe Elizabeth, your grandmother would be ashamed of you, telling such a big fib.”

The tension she had been feeling slipped away in the warmth of his smile. She leaned back on her elbows, lifting her face to the sun, and closed her eyes. Couldn’t she just enjoy the moment and forget about why they were here together?

“Tell me something, Chloe.”

She opened her eyes. “What?”

Frown lines laced between Luke’s brows. “Your father and his brother—what’s going on there?”

No, it looked as if she couldn’t just enjoy the moment. It was her own fault for mentioning Uncle Jeff. She might try telling Luke another one of her fairy tales, but she didn’t think he’d believe it. She could tell him it wasn’t his business—but she was the one who’d brought him here. Or she could tell him the truth and let him make of it whatever he wanted.

“My father and Uncle Jefferson don’t speak to each other unless it’s absolutely necessary.” She hadn’t realized how odd that sounded until she said it aloud to him. “I guess that seems strange to you.” She sent him a defiant look.