Well, she did, but…
Maverick’s laughter caught her attention. He’d turned his canoe around so he faced hers.
“It’s not funny,” she said. “There is something big and strong in the water. You didn’t tell me about that,” she accused. “And why in the world doesn’t my paddle float? You’d think a novice canoer would get an appropriate paddle. Aren’t you going to jump in and get it for me? What kind of guide are you?” She huffed out a breath.
“Are you done?” he asked pleasantly.
“Yes.”
He regarded her like he found her amusing, but also fun and interesting, so she didn’t mind his laughing. In fact, she suddenly found herself laughing, too. She amused herself, to be honest, so why not the gorgeous man who’d decided she was worth a few firsts this week?
Once she stopped laughing, she said, “Sorry about the paddle.”
“It’s okay. I should have brought a backup.” He floated closer. “The paddles sink because they’re made of metal. The something big and strong in the water is a largemouth bass. We keep the lake stocked with them for people who like to fish.”
“Oh.”
“I should have mentioned them.”
“It’s okay.”
“Good job avoiding tipping over.” He pulled his canoe beside hers. His still pointed toward the shore while hers pointed toward the sandbar.
“I really wanted to make it to the sandbar,” she said.
“No problem. Climb in.”
Taking a closer look at his canoe, he’d claimed a tandem model with a second seat inside the hull. “Really?”
“Unless you’d rather float around aimlessly until I go get another paddle and bring it back to you.”
“What about the canoe?”
“Hunter and I can get it later. Believe it or not, you’re not the first person to lose an oar and abandon a canoe.”
She straightened her neck, lifted her chin. “That makes me feel a lot better.”
“Get over here already.”
Their canoes were touching, so really it should be no big deal to climb in. “Don’t move,” she instructed.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” The mischievous quality of his deep voice worried her, but…
One…two…three. She dove into the other canoe with as much grace as an ostrich on roller skates. Righting herself on the seat, she looked over her shoulder and smiled at Maverick. She didn’t care what she looked like, she’d done it.
“Nice move,” he said easily enough.
“Thanks. Want me to paddle us?”
He blessed her with dimples that almost knocked her overboard. “I think I’ll hang on to the paddle, but thanks for asking.” He released her canoe.
Before he started to paddle, she turned on the seat so that she faced him. There was no reason they had to face the same direction if she wasn’t paddling, right? This way she got a great view of him and his arms, as well as the scenery. All without tiring herself out!
Unless she considered the workout he gave her eyes.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said back.
“This is nice.” It took all of two seconds for her body to completely decompress as they glided across the lake. Sunbeams danced off the water. Ducks flew overhead. Greenery surrounded them in the distance. And Maverick’s bare knees almost touched her bare knees.
He rowed with a gentle rhythm, barely causing the lake to ripple. His faded red ball cap shaded his eyes and nose. Stubble lined his angular jaw and circled his mouth. It was the first time she’d seen him unshaven.
And she liked it.
“It is,” he agreed.
She scanned him top to bottom. Left biceps to right biceps. Moved her gaze to the water, then back to him.
“My view is better,” he said, looking his fill of her in return.
“I never knew what a smooth talker you could be.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I never knew you to give such blatant perusal. Probably because you always had your nose in a book.”
“Or I didn’t like you.”
“That too.”
“I do willingly admit to books getting my undivided attention. Now, though, my world has expanded. I don’t have to hide in medical journals and textbooks. I’ve almost accomplished what I set out to do, and so, for the first time, I can live outside that box.” Sage words she needed to start living by more frequently.
“Almost?”
“Once I have the job in Boston, I’ll be set.”
“I never doubted you’d reach your goals. You were a big reason I worked so hard to reach mine. Or rather, you were the motivation I needed.”
“I could say the same about you. I hated the thought of losing to you.”
“Right back at you.” He looked beyond her. “Get ready to land.” With one big paddle, their canoe hitched up onto the sandbar.
He jumped out first, his shoes getting wet, and pulled the canoe higher onto the sand. She took his offered hand and stepped out of the canoe, his warm, calloused palm covering her small, delicate one with ease.
The sandbar was a U-shaped bank about the size of a playground at the park, and she wanted to bury her feet in it. She slid off her shoes and socks, wiggled her toes. The grains were soft and cool, and sent a wave of serenity up her body.
Maverick sat down, his legs bent at the knees. She took the spot next to him, taking off the life jacket and placing it beside her. “There are so many peaceful spots on your ranch,” she said.
“Agreed.”
“And good places to think.”
He peeked at her out of the corner of his eye. “You’re right.”
“Is that what you do out here and in the trees?”
He lay back, legs remaining bent, and looked up at the sky. “Sometimes. It’s easier to work things out when I’m alone with nature.”
“I get that.” She lay back, too, pulling down the bill of her hat to block the sun from her eyes. “No distractions, just your own brain telling you what to do.”
“You must get exhausted.”
“You’re hilarious.” She stretched out her legs. Closed her eyes.
He did have a point, though, so she let her thoughts about work and weddings and ranches fade away and instead focused on her body. On letting her limbs soften into the sand, her muscles completely relax. She placed her hands on her stomach. Breathed deeply.