Page 47 of Unexpected Union

Shewaved her hand dismissingly. “Not to worry, you’ll be at the office at thelodge. I’ll have it all to myself.”

“Don’tbet the farm on it, lady. I have a hankering to test a hammock. Mygrandparents had one.Thomas and I used to fight over who got it until they worked outsome schedule.”

“We could dothat, I suppose,” she said.

“Work out aschedule?”

Nodding,Audra chanced a glance. The dancing amusement in his eyes wasmesmerizing. She smiled, raising her eyebrows. “No?”

“Notachance, sweetheart.Unless you go from nine to midnight.”

“While youtake the one to three in the afternoon?”

“Soundsfair.”

“Ha, in yourdreams, Wells. I get first dibs, I’m the pregnant one.”

“And inall good conscience, I couldn’tleave you and the baby alone in this contraption. What ifyou had difficulty getting up? We know how frequently you need touse the facilities.”

“A lowblow!”

“We can try itout after lunch.”

“Maybe.”

Thethought of the two of them in the hammock, lyingtogether, almost madeher forget breakfast. Grasping that as an excuse to leave thetable, Audra went to the refrigerator and began pulling out eggs,spinach and cheese. She’d make an omelet, and not think aboutsharing a hammock.

“So whatdo you want to dothismorning?” Mitch asked, leaning back to watch her work.

Aware ofhis eyes on her, shefelt nervous. Self-conscious. “I don’t know. Don’t you have thingsto do?”

“Nottoday. I’ve put in motion the investigations I need for the trial,now I’m delegatingandletting others handle the preliminary work.”

Audra turnedin amazement.

“Did I hearyou right? You’re going to delegate?”

He nodded. “Sohow about that paddle wheel? We managed the rowboat fine, we’reready.”

“Are yousure about this?” Audra asked anhour later as they stood on the dock studying theflimsy-looking paddle boat. Two seats were side by side, pedals onthe floor, which propelled the paddles in the rear. One set foreach seat.

Mitchscanned the lake. “I’ve seen people using these all week.None have capsized.”

“Gettingdumped wouldn’t bemyidea of fun,” she said hesitantly. Tossing her head, she grinned.“Let’s do it.”

Carefully stepping in, she took the seat farthest from thedock. A moment later the craft bobbed as Mitch stepped in andsat besideher.

Itwasa close fit. His hippressed against hers, his thigh touched hers. His shoulders seemedtoo big. She held her breath. This was never going towork.

“Okay,we’re on our own,” he said as he tossed the rope onto the dock.Slowly she began topedal. He shifted, the boat swayed from side to side.

“Watch it!”she squealed, feeling a splash of water.

Draping hisarm across her shoulder, he settled in. “It’s too crowded—I thinkthese were designed with smaller people in mind.”

“Still,it’s fun.”

Slowlythey movedaway from thedock. Sunshine glinted on the water, the tall spruce and pineslining the lake were silhouetted against a pristine blue sky. Alight breeze danced across the surface, reducing the sun’sintensity.

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