Page 13 of All Mine

The breakfast rush was a terrible time to try to talk to someone. Camden had left before I realized it. Adrian probably scared him off. Since I only have sisters, he was like my big brother. And his protective streak went overboard at times. But he had my best interest in mind. However, he was wrong about Camden because my thoughts about him were less than pure. I didn’t need forever from this guy.

I turned the sign on the door to ‘closed’ when the six feet of olive-toned man bounded up the front steps.

“Lauren, are you in there?” He knocked on the door, not having seen me through the glare on the glass. With every tap of his knuckles, my heart palpitated.

“Hi,” I opened the door and stared up at the rich brown eyes and permanent five-o’clock shadow across his cheeks.

“Hey,” he replied, flashing a grin that sent a wave of heat through my body. “I know I’m not from around here, and all of your friends have warned me off, but I don’t listen very well. Can I take you out while I’m still in town?”

“Sure,” I replied. “Be back here at six and wear comfortable hiking clothes.” I closed the door and watched him stand there bewildered for a beat before he turned and descended the steps.

At six, I checked the front porch, and Camden was waiting. He wore long, athletic shorts and a simple gray T-shirt stretched over broad shoulders and toned arms. I’d changed my mind several times, and I could hide and pretend I didn’t know he was on the porch. I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves. Today was my foray back into dating, and he was one hell of a choice.

I hoisted the backpack onto my shoulder and stepped out onto the porch.

“That’s quite a purse you got there,” Camden said.

I laughed. “It’s our picnic, silly.” I turned and pointed to the kayaks next to the porch. “Slight change of plans. The guys are letting us use a couple of kayaks. We can take them over to Dunn trail that leads up a lovely overlook where we can sit and have dinner.”

“Ah,” the city boy frowned, then looked away, but then reached for my backpack. “Here, let me.” Camden slung my pack over one shoulder with no effort.

“Did you get your boat today?” I asked, stepping out and turning to lock the door.

“No. But, I checked out of the roach motel and into the Valley Residence Inn. At first glance, it seems like the right move.” He followed me to the kayaks, and we each grabbed one.

I laughed. “I think you’re right. How was the roach motel?”

“I can still feel the spring in the middle of my back.”

“It is the oldest motel in town.”

“Well, it wouldn’t kill them to buy some new mattresses.”

“Or fumigate,” I joked.

“You know,” he said as we started across the road, “most women want me to take them to a fancy restaurant.”

“I’d rather be outside when the weather is this nice, and I’ve spent all day cooped inside. And save any fancy restaurants for special occasions or terrible weather. There are plenty of humid days where this type of thing isn’t fun.”

“You’re a bit of a nature lover then.”

“Absolutely. It relaxes me. I grew up here, and I know these hills, the lake, and the town like I know the back of my hand. As clichéd as that sounds, it’s true.” We reached the lakeshore, and I took the backpack from him and secured it in the back of the kayak.

I pushed the kayak and waded out to climb in. “Have you ever done this?” I asked.

“Yeah… of course.” He lifted his leg in an attempt to slide his large body into the kayak.

“You should move back a little further,” I said, but he rolled over the craft, disappearing under the water.

Camden popped back to his feet, spitting and swearing.

“Are you okay?” I stopped his kayak with my paddle.

“Of course,” he said, snatching the floating paddle. This time he made it into the kayak and paddled to me.

I reached out and kept the kayaks from colliding. We spent a few minutes paddling around the lake, letting Camden get used to it.

“We’re going out this way,” I said, and we headed toward the river.

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