Page 44 of Deadly Peril

However, Thaddeus had most of his attention on Jana. She seemed happy, and that was good to see. In other circumstances, he would have reached out and taken her hand. The atmosphere of the moment made him want to hold her, to share with her.

But to share what? Thaddeus didn’t know. He didn’t know much—except he was where he wanted to be. He was with Jana, and that had to be enough. He wasn’t about to take things further, no matter how he felt.

Before the boat delivered the passengers to the marina, it began to snow. When the light precipitation began, Jana put on a knit cap and Thaddeus turned up his collar. The sun was blocked by clouds, and the brightness of the day had dimmed.

Jana wasn’t put off by a little snow; she thrived in the stuff. “Let’s walk along the water for a bit.”

A flock of graceful, long-necked birds flew overhead. “Look, those are tundra swans. I love when I catch a glimpse of them,” Jana said.

“I would have thought that birds migrate out of the mountains to warmer climates before the winter.”

“Oh no, there are dozens of species that spend the winter at Lake Tahoe.” Jana peered up at the sky. “The swans make a wintertime pilgrimage from the Arctic tundra. Thousands spend the winter here. They breed in the Arctic during the summer, then migrate south.”

The snow flurry had picked up steam, and it had started snowing heavier. Thaddeus was about to suggest heading back to the truck when he spotted an animal at the edge of the water. He pointed, and Jana followed him.

A swan was trapped and struggling. It had pure white plumage, and a black bill with a smudge of yellow at the base. It appeared to be on the small side. When Thaddeus stooped beside it, he noticed a second swan in the water.

“That must be the mate, watching. He’s larger, so I’m guessing that he’s the male,” Jana said, then leaned toward the bird at the edge of the water. “We have to help. This one is caught.”

“I can see that,” Thaddeus said. “It looks like fishing line is wrapped around the neck, and the bill is stuck in it, too.”

“That’s awful.” The male swan made a defensive hissing sound. “It’s all right,” she murmured softly. “We’re here to help.”

Thaddeus took a pocket knife and opened it up. “You hold the swan, keep it still. I’ll cut the wire.”

Jana began speaking in a soothing tone, and the swan eyed her with a look of desperation. Wiggling and making a sound in its throat, it tried to get free of the wire. She stroked the smooth feathers then put her arms around its body.

Thaddeus gently slipped his fingers under the wire. In several places, he snipped the blade through the wire, so the line began to unravel. The swan lifted its bill and tipped its head back. The mate floated over and nuzzled against the freed bird.

The swan made a smooth, high-pitched bugling sound, and the partner responded. Then the swan freed of the fishing wire called out. It sounded like oo-ou-oo.

“That’s the swan call when members of a pair reunite,” Jana said.

The birds shook their partially extended wings, then glided on the water’s surface. Thaddeus watched as they took flight and stretched out their necks as they flew. They circled above, with air whistling through their wings. It was a magnificent sight.

Jana shuddered from the cold. The snowfall had increased. “That was lucky…that we happened to come by.” She watched the birds fly away.

“Did you know swans are associated with romance?” Jana looked at Thaddeus. “Their tendency is to form permanent pair bonds by the time they’re two or three years old. Once a pair forms, tundra swans feed and roost together year-round.”

Thaddeus marveled at the nature of the birds. It seemed like they had a better grip on things than he did.

Jana stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I’m freezing.” She peered at the darkening sky. “We better make a run for it.”

Once inside the truck, Thaddeus started the engine and cranked up the heater. “It would be a smart move to get indoors.”

“I know just the place where we can grab a snack and a hot drink.” Jana gave him quick directions. The place wasn’t far.

The ever-growing attraction was hard to fight. The longer Thaddeus was with Jana, the more he wanted her. The beautiful scenery, the boat ride, and the mutual saving of a swan…it was getting to him, deep in his heart where he hadn’t thought he could be touched. He’d intended to keep his desire under control—but his resolve was breaking down.

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