Page 68 of Love and Other Trials
He gave a laughable cringe. “No surprise I guess, but Lordy, those Deverell weddings are something else. I’m kinda glad your granny never agreed to let me walk her down the aisle. A chandelier might have come down or some holy statue might have fallen over. Yes, sirree, I’m rather glad my invitation got lost in the mail.”
She gasped. “What?”
He tipped his head up to the sky. “With your grandma gone, Tiffany had no reason to invite me, and we both know it. I wasn’t close to the Three Tornadoes. You and I were the only ones who got along, and that’s fine by me. Mighty fine.”
Though they’d been a couple, Grandma hadn’t brought Davey around the rest of the family much, saying she didn’t want to hear any of their opinions, because they surely would have them. They had them about everything, and usually they weren’t good. As her mother had recently proved in spades. “It’s their loss, Davey.”
“You’re a sweetheart.” He pinched her cheek. “Now then, the day’s passing and there are fish to catch. Ariel, I have your favorite rod for you, but I thought we’d give your fella here a couple of choices since you said he’s a seasoned fisherman.”
The three rods were standing up where Davey had secured them, and she let him and Dax get down to serious business. Choosing the perfect rod and lure wasn’t exactly her forte. She liked it simple and easy like her grandma. Sherlock jumped into the boat and gave a ruff, sniffing the air, eager to go. Ariel savored the warm breeze against her skin and the swampy smell of water in the air. The marsh grass was swaying, the sound a soft rustle that called to her soul. This place was the home she’d always dreamed of, and soon she’d be here permanently.
When Dax turned around with his rod, he let out a whoop. “How about this? One of my favorites.”
He grinned and patted Davey on the back with the kind of ease men had with each other. Then he drilled her with an amused look. “Davey here tells me you prefer the kind of ‘chuck it and fuck it’ rod that doesn’t require a lot of concentration.” He gave a tsk-tsk. “Ariel Holmes, I’m surprised at you.”
She jerked her thumb toward Davey. “Don’t pick up on his teasing. I know what he thinks of my rod choice and my approach to fishing. I like to be on the water, but I also don’t want to have to work to catch anything.”
Dax let out another big laugh, the joy of fishing clearly wrapping him in its spell. “This is going to be fun.”
“Always is with this one, and her grandmother too, God bless her soul.” Davey wiped his eyes quickly. “Now then. Dax, if you’d trust this old man, I can help you call in for a non-resident fishing license. I play poker with one of the guys in the department, and I spoke with him after Ariel rang me up earlier. He’ll handle everything over the phone. Last I knew it was pretty cheap. They just need some basic information.”
“You read my mind.” He put a hand on Davey’s shoulder. “I appreciate the help.”
“We’ll be right back,” Davey called as they headed toward the bright green house on stilts flanked by palm trees.
Ariel looked at Sherlock. “Aren’t they cute? Their heads together. Probably trading stories about their biggest catches. Oh, Sherlock, doesn’t the sun and air feel great?”
The wedding drama felt miles away, and all she wanted to do was let the sun kiss her skin. She was going to enjoy this break, most especially her time with Dax. On that note, she dug out the sunscreen. She was finishing her legs when Davey and Dax arrived.
“Well, you’re all set to go.” Davey slapped Dax on the back. “Go give ’em hell out there.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” she called, sensing Dax wouldn’t mind the company.
“Please come along, Davey,” Dax added with a boyish smile at the older man, looking years younger even with his scruff. “Those fish won’t see us coming.”
Davey gave a wheezing laugh and slapped his knee. “Sorry, kids. You two have fun. Being on the water with the one you’re sweet on is the best feeling in the world. Enjoy it. I’ll see y’all soon.”
As he strode down the dock back to his house, Ariel gazed after him wistfully. “He and Grandma had a lot of what she’d call ‘dates on the water.’ Said it sounded better than going fishing if you get my drift. You ready, Stephan?”
He extended his hand to her and helped her into the boat grandly. “After you, Elizabeth. Although we might have to lose the nicknames for a while. I don’t really see Elizabeth and Stephan fishing, do you?”
She shook her head and carefully alighted into the boat, sitting down at the front where Sherlock was standing, peering into the water. “Not really. I thought you might enjoy driving if you don’t mind me giving you some directions to our favorite fishing holes.”
He eased in with a quiet grace that was rather captivating, the flexing of his muscles raising her internal temperature. “Is there anywhere you aren’t capable? You’re good in the skies and clearly on the water. Certainly you’re good on the ground.”
Her question had him frowning, however, as he started the motor and set them off the dock after she’d untied their lines. “Rob said something like that to me this morning. About everything coming easily to me. It didn’t sit well. I’ve never thought I needed to do anything differently than be how I am. Grandpa said some people like to struggle against the current like the salmon, but he thought it wiser to go with it. Sorry, we were going to get back on the happy train.”
The sound of the running motor was as welcome as the warm air on her face, but hearing the anguish in Dax’s voice marred the pure bliss of the moment. “I’m related to people who like to struggle. I don’t. At least I think I don’t. I figure struggles can crop up anywhere, and when I’m not around one, I’m like you, I try and go with the flow. I think your grandpa was a wise man, and you were smart to listen to him.”
“Thank you for that.” He inclined his chin toward the water ahead. “Guide me out, honey, and let’s get to fishing.”
She started them off in the muddy brown waters of her favorite fishing hole, casting out in the middle section between marsh grass. Dax cast in the main waters, reeling some slack in, a joyful smile on his face.
“Feels like a part of me just settled back in place.” She turned her head to find his warm gaze on her, the sun turning his hair gold. “Thank you, Ariel.”
A part of her own heart seemed to settle as the boat gently rocked them. “You’re very welcome. I feel the same. I’m glad I’m here to witness your return to the water.”
“Me too.” He cast again, and she wondered if he had done it for the sheer pleasure of doing so. “Any bets on who catches more?”
