Page 12 of Beauty and the Beard

“What else do you fish for?”

“I don’t know. Compliments? Squid? A way into your pants?”

Annoyed with my friend not picking up on how huge this is, I decide to just move on.

“Ro, he’s handsome. Supremely so and… he treated me like an equal. Even when I couldn’t figure out the stove. I like him based on his looks alone and if he wanted to have a fling while I’m here, I’d be open to it. But this is about me, remember? I didn’t come here looking for love. I’m looking for peace.”

“Sorry, Sasha. You’re right. I’m super proud of you. Are you sure you’ll be able to handle fishing? That’s different even for you. It’s way beyond a ride on a mechanical bull.”

“I know. But I’ll let you know how it goes. I need to go. Just don’t worry if you can’t reach me. The cell and internet service here sucks.”

“Probably because they don’t want you on your cell phones when you have so many other things to do there. Good luck and wear a life jacket!”

Shaking my head at Roman, I tell him I will before saying goodbye and hotfoot it back to my cabin. Once inside, I decide the low sweatpants with running shoes I wore on the plane and a fitted t-shirt are the most fishing acceptable attire I have, and quickly change.

And Roman is right. Why do I need a phone when there’s so much more to do here?

Instead, I grab my camera bag and head back up to the lodge, actually excited about the possibility of catching a fish.

Chapter 4

Leaf

How should I feel knowing the cute man in Cabin Three told his friend I’m a hot lumberjack?

My guess is I shouldn’t be feeling like I just caught the flu bug and need to hurl.

“I better bringRolaidson the boat, just in case.”

With a shirt for Sasha and a few Rolaids in my pocket, I head out of my suite and stop in the kitchen for our lunch.

Millie greets me with a knowing smile and doesn’t even let me protest the hug she gives. But as always, she knows I need the anchor of her affection and I return the gesture.

“You’re excited this morning, Leaf. Are you okay?”

“I think I’m nervous. He’s cute, right?”

She laughs before turning to the fridge.

“He’s very cute. And he’s also nice. He seems very surprised you’re taking him out on the boat. Why do you think that is?”

Millie removes enough food from the fridge to feed twelve people and begins packing it into a cooler in the shape of a red-and-white bobber.

“I don’t know, but he said he wants to learn how to do things himself. He wants experiences.”

She hums under her breath. “You’re a good man for that.”

She nestles a bag of cookies on top of the food before closing the lid and I’m stuck on her words. I am a good man. I know that in my heart and nobody needs to reassure me of it. But should I do this?

“Millie, is this smart? He’s technically a guest here. I own the place. I don’t want to be unprofessional.”

With her hands on her hips, she straightens her tiny frame, and still doesn’t reach my shoulders.

“Don’t give me that bullshit. Perry fucks anything that throws him a smile and you’ve not heard anyone complain, have you?”

Shocked Millie even knows about Perry’s indiscretions, I stammer a response.

“N-no, but I’m the face of the lodge. It’s a bit different.”

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