Page 22 of Losing Hope

Chapter Eight

The lake was unusually calm,the water as smooth as glass until their paddles broke the surface, causing ripples to flow out around them. Every now and then, he would stop rowing and raise his camera to catch an image that caught his eye, but otherwise, they were both quiet.

She turned and looked at him. “Do you want to see something?”

He nodded his head. “Sure.”

“Head toward that little island over there.” She pointed to a small mound of land covered in small trees, jutting from the water.

He changed the angle of the oar to turn the canoe in the direction she pointed, both paddling in sync until they were about a hundred yards from the island.

Hope pulled her oar out of the water, twisted around in her seat until she was facing him, and spoke in a hushed voice. “Have you ever seen any loons?”

“I’ll assume you’re referring to the bird.” He laughed softly. “But, no, I don’t think I actually have. At least, not that I remember.”

“Well, there’s a mommy and daddy loon that live on this island. I saw them with two babies this summer. I haven’t been up since July, though, so hopefully they are still alive.”

“Why wouldn’t they be?” He brought the camera up and began scanning the island through hislens.

She shrugged. “Snapping turtles, speed boats, dumb people. Sometimes, the environment just isn’t safe for littleones.”

“Do you think we’ll see them?” He continued scanning the island with his camera.

As if his request was heard on the wind, a short and then longer whistling sound carried out over the water several times. They both turned their head toward the sound, and moments later, saw three loons appear from around the island.

“Look!” She pointed in excitement. “There they are! Do you see themGage?”

He smiled at her excitement over the pretty birds. “I see them.” He brought his camera up and started taking pictures of the small feathered family as they floated closer to each other.

“Look how cute the baby is,” she cooed. “Well, I guess it’s not a baby anymore, and I guess one of the babies didn’t makeit.”

Sadness crept into her voice, and he couldn’t help but turn the camera on her and capture the way every emotion reflected in her eyes andface.

“Do they mate for life?” he asked as he continued to snap pictures of everything aroundthem.

“They used to think so, but new research says no. The birds will actually replace their mate if they don’t produce babies for them or fly back to their nest in the spring.”

The loons had swum past them in a wide berth and were circling back toward the island now, whistling calls to each other as theywent.

“You’re kidding me? They actually get divorced?” He chuckled in disbelief that some traditions carried over no matter what the species.

She laughed back. “I guess so. Who would have thought?” She looked away from the birds then and over at him. She tilted her head in curiosity as she looked at him. “Have you ever been married?”

Instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own. “Haveyou?”

She shook her head. “God, no.”

He laughed. “You say that like it’s a bad thing! Marriage not your thing?”

She shook her head again. “No, it’s not that. I’d love to get married one day. I just haven’t had the best luck yet with men. Yaknow?”

“You?” He scanned her from head to toe. “What guy would be dumb enough to let you slip through his fingers? You’re the whole package—beauty and brains.”

She scoffed. “Well, the last guy I was dating, for over two years mind you, thought so highly of me that he decided screwing someone else while I was on a business trip would be a good idea. Until I came home early and caught him, of course.”

“Shit. Seriously?” He frowned. “I’m sorry, Hope, but if that guy didn’t know what he had, you’re better off withouthim.”

She sighed. “I guess.” She looked over at him. “That’s why I’m up here, actually. It just happened a few weeks ago. I needed to get away and reboot.”

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