Page 26 of Bachelor CEO

She drew herself up. “I doubt that.”

His cheeky grin said it all. The fun-lovingChase was back. “I don’t. Besides, you’re inmyworldnow. Let’s go eat.”

BY THE END OF DINNER, Miranda had finallyrelaxed, and she’d met most of the people who lived around the lakeshore. Thecountry club was definitely the place to be on a Friday night. She’d beensurprised to learn that the club was public—anyone could use the golf courseand enjoy the restaurant. Many of the folks she’d met had been at Leroy’sbirthday party, and those who hadn’t were quick to accept her as a new McDanielemployee.

“So you don’t bring dates here, either?” sheteased as she and Chase walked back to the dock, opting to leave the golf cartbehind after they’d finished their meal. The sun was dipping below the treetopsby the time they left. Although the sky wasn’t totally dark, low voltage lightsilluminated the walkway.

“No. I’ve never brought a girlfriend to thelake.”

“Really?” That surprised her.

He shrugged. “This is my space. I guess I’venever found the woman I wanted to share it with.”

Again he helped her into the boat. This timeMiranda was sure of her footing, but touching him still sent a tingle to hertoes. She told herself it was the two glasses of wine she’d had. Or maybe aresidual sugar high from the decadent chocolate cake she’d eaten.

“So would you like a tour? I think night’s thebest time to be on the water,” Chase said once they’d gotten under way. “LonePine is actually part of a chain of lakes. To the north is Balsam Lake. It’ssmaller and rounder.” He made the decision for her. “I’ll show you. It’s notfar.”

Miranda settled back against the seat as theychugged along. Unlike earlier in the day, he’d now grown chatty.

Chase had had only one glass of wine withdinner, so Miranda knew the reason wasn’t alcohol. Rather, she suspected it wasbecause he loved the area. He knew every inch of lakeshore, and pointed outvarious houses and told her about their histories and current occupants.

She was laughing at one of his accounts asthey came to a bridge across a narrows. “That’s Highway A,” he told her. “Ifyou hadn’t stopped that day, you would eventually have crossed this bridge.”

“I must have turned around right before Ireached it.”

“Probably.” He decreased speed, and theycoasted through the channel, which was twelve feet wide at most. The bridge wasabout fifty feet above their heads as they puttered beneath.

After they got through the bottleneck, thelake opened up. However, unlike Lone Pine, Balsam Lake was egg-shaped, and onlya half mile across and a mile long. A few houses sat high on the hillssurrounding it, their docks far below and many sets of stairs away. Chasebrought the boat to a halt in the center of the lake, turned off the engine andfloated.

“Hear how quiet it is.”

Miranda listened. It was as if they’d enteredanother world. The lake water was dark and deep, and the sun had disappeared,leaving only the final reddish tints of twilight. The sounds of humanity hadceased, but all around her the song of nature came to life as nocturnal animalsand insects came out to play.

The night spoke of romance. It was heavy withsolace and peace, and the undercurrent of something permanent and magical.

And it felt as if all those things she hadbeen looking for her entire life could be found simply by turning to the manwho sat next to her, as lost in the moment as she was.

All she had to do was say his name, and yetMiranda knew no words should be spoken. They had no future.

As if emphasizing that depressing point, amosquito buzzed by, and Chase restarted the engine. “That’s our cue,” he said.“If they start to bite, there’s bug spray in the glove box in front of you. Butwe should be going fast enough to keep them away.”

“Thank you,” Miranda said, as they made theirway back to Lone Pine Lake.

“For what?”

“For sharing. I’ve never been anywhere likethis.”

“I used to do a lot of night fishing. It’speaceful. During the day Balsam’s the best place to water-ski. It’s a well-keptsecret.”

“I’ve never tried any water sports.”

“Really? You’ll have to let me teach you howto ski sometime.”

“I doubt I’ll be skiing when I’m here. Justbringing your grandfather his work and leaving the next morning.”

“Then you’ll be missingout.” Chase pushed on the throttle as they hit open water. He clicked a buttonand the boat’s running lights came on. Darkness had settled, and all along thelakeshore house lights flickered.

“I’ll take you to see the rest of the laketomorrow,” he said as he turned the boat toward the Lone Pine docks. In thedistance Miranda could see the lodge sitting on the hillside like a majesticqueen, the glow from her windows welcoming. A lump formed in her throat and sheshivered. This was Chase’s home.

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