Page 18 of Unexpected Union

He shook his head firmly.

“That water’s cold. I’ve seen kids playingin it, but when I dipped my hand in yesterday, I don’t know howthey do it,” she warned.

“Kids don’t have a thermostat. I rememberwhen Thomas and I played in rivers that no one else would go inbecause they were too cold. We never noticed at the time.”

“What were the two of you like as kids?”

Secretly thrilled at the fact Mitch wastalking about his past, she almost held her breath lest he clamup.

“Hellions, if my dad’s to be believed.”

Audra leaned back on her hands and gazedover the water as she listened to Mitch tell her some outlandishstory about him and his brother. She loved listening to his voice.Closing her eyes, she focused on the intonation, the cadence. Nowonder he did so well as a prosecuting attorney, his delivery wastremendous.

Suddenly he stopped. She opened her eyes andlooked at him. He had his eyes closed.

“Are you all right?” She sat up and put herhand on his arm.

“Dizzy again. It comes and goes.”

“Lie back down on the dock. When it passes,we’ll head for the cabin.”

Mitch lay back and after a moment, Audra didas well. Stars were beginning to appear in the darkening sky. Wouldthey have trouble finding their way back? The path was so easyduring the day. But neither had thought to bring a flashlight. Andthe tree canopy would cut off any illumination from overhead.

“Do these attacks happen often?” Audraasked.

“I was dizzy for an entire two daysimmediately following the accident, so there is definiteimprovement,” he said, his eyes firmly shut. “The doctor saidthey’ll end before long. As soon as my head heals.”

They fell silent and Audra let herself enjoyher hunt for stars and constellations she recognized. How long hadit been since she’d done this? Stargazing wasn’t a pastime she didin Boston.

“Actually I was thinking about what you saidearlier,” Mitch said a moment later.

“About what?”

“About not working all the time. Maybe I’lljoin you on one of your walks. Even go with you out in that paddleboat.”

Chapter Six

Audra turned to look at him. It had grown sodark it was difficult to see clearly.

“Are you serious?”

“Sure. Why not?”

She thought about his suggestion. It’d benice to have someone to do a few things with, at least the thingsshe couldn’t do alone. And she was dying to try the paddleboats.

Don’t get your hopes up, she warnedherself. You know what Mitch’s like. He makes plans and doesn’tkeep them if work intrudes.

“I’ll take you up on the paddle boats, butdon’t feel obligated. I planned to be here entirely on my own. Idon’t need someone to entertain me.”

“Would you rather I didn’t spend time withyou?” he asked curtly.

“No,” she said quickly, amazed to realizehow much she wanted him to. “I guess I’m just surprised you thinkyou can squeeze me in.”

“I’m sure I can manage a paddle orwalk.”

The cynic in her wanted to ask him for howlong, but she remained silent. Skeptical, but hopeful. Was shesetting herself up for disappointment?

“I didn’t realize it was so dark,” Mitchsaid, slowly sitting up, then standing.

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