Read Online Then Came Love by Mona Ingram - Free Book Online Page A

seem like an educated guy; you’re attractive and well spoken. Why are you up here?” She held up a hand. “Nothing against Dave and Kathy, but it seems to me you could do just about anything you want.”

Chapter Eight
     
    He stilled. “And what would that be?”
    She fidgeted nervously. “Now I’ve made you angry. I’m sorry. It was none of my business.”
    The smile was back again. “I understand what you meant.” He looked at his plate and seemed surprised to find it empty. “I’m taking some time off. I was in the navy for eight years, but one day I realized it wasn’t for me.” His gaze roamed out over the lake. “There’s no unemployment in the military, and they have a great pension plan, but it wasn’t what I wanted long term.” It was a story he’d practiced so often he almost believed it. He hated to lie to her, but there was no way around it. “So here I am. Dave and Mike were friends in school. I came up here to visit, and the rest is history, as they say.”
    “Oh.” She studied him openly. “I thought there was something about you.”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    “You know...you seem confident.”
    “It’s all an act.” He grinned and stood up. “I’m going to wash my hands. By the way, that was a great meal. Best I’ve had in a long time.” He paused. “Do you mind if I fish for a while? I brought my rod and reel.”
    “Not at all. Are we allowed to make a fire here? It’ll keep away the mosquitoes.”
    “I think that would be okay as long as we’re careful. Do you want me to help?”
    “I’ll let you know. I’ll gather some firewood first, and any rocks if I can find them.”
    He made his way along the shore to a small point and walked out until the water lapped at his knees. Silhouetted against the sky, he looked like something out of a tourist brochure. She watched him while she gathered wood for the fire, amazed at how comfortable she felt with him.
    She scraped out a small indentation in the sand and encircled it with rocks she’d found closer to the woods. Then she piled dried grasses and twigs in the bottom, layered larger pieces on top and lit it. Within moments it was crackling away.
    “Looks good.” Jackson returned carrying two trout.
    Amanda inspected the fish. “These are beautiful. What are they?”
    “Rainbows. About three pounds, I’d say. I kept them so you could show Carlos how to cook them.”
    “I wish I liked fish a little better.”
    “You don’t like them?” He looked surprised.
    “Not particularly, no.”
    He put the fish in the canoe, washed his hands, then came back and sat down by the fire. “That’s one thing we differ on, then. That’s a good sign.”
    “It is?”
    “Yes. What will be talk about when we’re old and grey if we agree on everything?”
    Amanda’s pulse started to race. “When we’re old and grey?”
    He looked at her steadily over the fire. “There’s something between us, Amanda. You can’t deny it.”
    She shook her head. “There’s something between us all right, and his name is Vince.” She held up her left hand. “I’m married, Jackson. Remember?”
    “I can’t forget it,” he said, his voice low and intense. “I think about it all the time.”
    She lowered her hand and stared into the fire.
    “You’re not happy, Amanda. I could tell that about you the first moment we met.” He didn’t try to move closer and she was grateful. She wouldn’t be able to resist if he touched her.
    “What is it? Tell me.”
    “It’s my husband. He’s changed so much from when I first met him.” She paused “He’s nasty.” She glanced over at Jackson, took a deep breath and continued. “I was dancing in one of his clubs. I don’t know why he picked on me, but he did. I’d been working in the kitchen, but needed more money to take care of Gran, so I became a dancer. I was flattered when he first asked me out. He was a bit demanding, but he could turn on the charm when he wanted to. Anyway, when he asked me