Page 60 of My Salvation
Shoveling a few bites into my mouth, I take a few minutes to eat. “OK. I’d like to stay near Thayer anyway, so that works. One last thing, Thayer’s going to be an issue for Kate. He’s already been rude to her in a call yesterday. If he’s in a wheelchair, he’ll be vulnerable, and that will make him lash out even more. We need to figure out how to handle it. Thayer should be in the hospital for at least another week or two. I want Kate to feel at home when she comes over to see us, but I don’t want Thayer to feel like we abandoned him either.” We all share a look as we silently agree.
CHAPTER 29
KATE
When I pull up to their house, Shaw is waiting for me. It’s our first date, and he’s taking me fly-fishing. I’m very nervous, as I’m not sure I like the idea of fishing or wading into a river. Aren’t there snakes in there? Plus, I’ve never been fishing. What if I suck?
Coming around, he opens the door of my rental car. “I promise I’m not that bad at dating. I’ll even feed you.” He watches my face as he easily catches on to my mood.
Laughing, I slide out into his arms. “It’s not the date, but I’m not sure how I feel about fishing. I’ve never been.”
Shocked, he just stares at me. “Are you serious? You’ve never gone fishing?”
“Nope,” I exclaim loudly popping the “P.” “And I’m nervous. Which is rare for me.”
“Angel, you’re in expert hands. I’ve been fishing since I could walk and hold a pole at the same time. My dad taught me to fish in the same river where I’m taking you today. You’ll do fine.”
Waving my hand, I motion for him to lead on. “I’m all yours.”
Stopping, he pulls me in close for a sweet kiss. “Well, not all mine, but definitely mine for the day.” Sliding my hand into his, he squeezes it. “I’ve got the picnic in the truck, so let’s go.”
Pulling the truck around the house, he pulls off onto a dirt road leading from the back. As he drives, he points out the various buildings and operations that run in each of them. While I’d been to the stables, I hadn’t realized there were so many other buildings out here. Noticing a new building going up, I ask him what he intends to do with that one.
“That’s for Lev to make wine. He wants us to put in a small vineyard up on that hill.” He points out the hill behind the structure, currently covered in lush field grass.
“That’s wonderful! He’s got such an excellent palate that every wine he picks out turns out to be so good. In fact, I’ve drunk most of the wine he left at the apartment. I can’t help myself.”
“You should check out the wine cellar in our basement. He’s proud of his wine stash. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but you’re right, he’s got good taste.”
Shaw pulls up to a wide, flat river. Turning around the truck, he backs in closer to the river so we can get the stuff out of the bed of the truck. The back of the pickup is also in the shade of a huge leafy green tree.
Waiting for him to help me out, I look out at the land surrounding us. We’re in a valley filled with grass and wildflowers. On the edge of the valley is a mountain that must be the source for the stream. As he helps me out of the truck, I hear the sounds of the burbling water. As I look over to the river, it feels like it is rushing out of the mountain to get to the lake sitting placidly below the valley. The air smells like summer and sunshine.
“It’s beautiful.” I look over to Shaw, who is watching me intently. “A perfect piece of serenity.”
Face brightening at my response, he pulls open the tailgate and hands me two poles. “Would you mind carrying these?”
