Page 68 of Close to My Heart

I glanced dubiously down at my knees. “I can’t imagine standing up, much less attempting a downward dog.“

Wes chuckled. “You’ll get there.”

“I’ll be happy if I don’t fall in the water.” I moved my hand, and the board rocked precariously.

Wes laughed harder which made me think I was going for a swim today.

We rowed farther into the water, and Wes said, “Are you ready to stand?”

My nose scrunched. “Not really.”

“Just go slow. One movement at a time. Then check your balance. Eventually it will get easier.”

“Uh-huh,” I said, not quite believing him.

He stood easily. “Your turn.”

I looked up at him. “I’m happy on my knees.”

Wes’s eyes flashed with heat. “You’ll have more fun standing. It’s an incredible feeling standing on a board with very little between you and the water.”

With a shaky breath, I said, “Okay.”

I tried to mimic his motions, but the board rocked harder than it had for him. My stomach dropped.

“Remember to go slowly, intentionally, checking your balance with each shift.”

I half expected him to say be one with the board. I went more slowly this time, placing one foot, then moved to stand. The board rocked, and I held my breath while I struggled to maintain my balance.

“I told you you could do it,” Wes said from my left.

I turned my head to catch his expression. Then I lost my balance. I screamed, then tried to right myself, but it was too late. I was already falling.

My back hit the water with a splash, and I panicked before remembering I was wearing a life jacket. Then Wes was in the water, dragging his board behind him.

“I’ve got you.”

Instead of helping me onto the board, he held me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“I’ll always catch you,” he said before he kissed me, making me forget where we were.

When we finally came up for air, he said, “We should get back on the board and try again.”

“I’m already wet. What else could happen?”

This time, I wasn’t as scared. I was already drenched, and I knew what would happen if I fell— Wes would catch me.

When I was finally on two feet on the board and could look up without losing my balance, Wes asked, “How do you feel?”

“Incredible.” I looked around the lake where there were very few boaters. Only kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes were allowed. So it was quiet. The trees surrounded the water. Hawks glided through the air. “It feels like we’re alone out here.”

“I always feel small when I’m on the water. Like I’m this tiny piece of a magnificent world.”

“I get that too.” And the other thing I felt was connected to Wes in a way I hadn’t been before. He’d saved me when my car hit a tree, and he’d offered to marry me when I needed a husband. But now he was showing me something new, which was incredible.

When I was more comfortable on the board, I pulled out my phone from the plastic case around my neck. I held it out and hit Record. “I’m out on the water today.” I panned the camera to Wes, who looked confident standing on the paddleboard. “With my new husband. Wes is teaching me how to paddleboard.” I panned the camera back to my wet hair. “I already fell in. But thankfully he was there to catch me. We’re still on our honeymoon, doing all of the outdoor things my husband enjoys, but I have to say I love it too. So, if you have an opportunity to get outside today, do it. It will do your body and your mind a lot of good.”

I clicked off, then made a mental note to upload it when I was home, not quite believing I’d referred to Wes’s place as home.

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