Read Online Hunter's Bride and A Mother's Wish by Marta Perry - Free Book Online Page B

grasped the side of the kayak. “Okay, Chloe. I’m going to trust you. But if you dunk me, I’ll take it out of your salary.” He climbed in gingerly, and she handed him a paddle.
    â€œThat 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.
    â€œI’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.
    â€œI pull on the same side as you?” He dipped his paddle into the water.
    â€œThat’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.
    â€œNot bad,” he said. “Not bad at all.”
    â€œJust 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.
    â€œThey look a lot bigger from this angle.”
    â€œWe’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.”
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œThey’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.
    â€œMaybe 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?”
    â€œI know it’s not likely.” She