“Maybe you should go fishing more often.”
“Maybe.” Jack looked away
.
Audra did the same. A companionable silence settled over them. Audra gained confidence as they recast their lines periodically—until she felt a tug on the rod.
“I’ve got something.” She struggled to hold on to her fishing rod while she rose to her feet.
Why was she nervous? Was it because she was afraid? Of what? Failing. The realization went through her like an electric charge. Was that the reason for her writer’s block? After her Grammy win, did other people’s expectations seem too high?
She felt Jack behind her. His hard arms pressed against her waist as he once again covered her hands with his to guide her. He was warm, strong, and steady at her back. His presence gave her confidence. Together, they reeled in her fish and put it in the bucket.
“Oh, my gosh! Did you see it? Isn’t this amazing?” Audra’s heart raced with excitement.
Jack smiled. “Yes, it is. That’s a white bass. Perfect size for eating.”
She didn’t care if he was humoring her. Suddenly she was having the time of her life. Audra managed to bait and cast her line by herself, then settled back onto the blanket—but not for long. Jack’s line came alive with his catch. She didn’t know whether her hovering around him was a help or a hindrance to his reeling in the fish. She just wanted to be a part of the action.
After they put Jack’s fish in the bucket, Audra returned to the blanket. Her gaze traced the deep green tree line nearby, the white trellis bridge arching over the lake, the silver blue water dancing in front of them. “It’s so beautiful here.”
“It is.” His voice was calm, confident. At peace.
“It’s more than beautiful. It’s enchanted.”
“Like a fairy tale?”
Was he laughing at her again?
Audra gave this more relaxed Jack a considering look. She liked what she saw—or rather what she could see between his beard and his braids. Thick black eyebrows slashed across his high forehead. Deep-set, almond-shaped onyx eyes communicated a sharp mind with a hint of pain. Sensuous lips were half masked by his black beard and moustache.
She arched a brow, challenging him. “Are you an expert on fairy tales?”
A jolt slammed through Jack as his mind jerked back to his past. He’d read Disney versions, Hans Christian Andersen, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales to Zoey every night before bed. His eight-year-old daughter had had an insatiable appetite for the stories.
“I’ve read my share.” Jack swallowed to ease the dryness in his throat.
“If this really were a fairy tale, which one would it be?” Audra shifted toward him. The movement distracted Jack from his thoughts. Thank goodness.
Jack stored away the bittersweet memories of his little girl and considered Audra’s question. He surveyed the proud old trees and playful lake. “Alice in Wonderland?”
“No way.” Audra gave in to laughter.
It amazed him how she could make him smile. “Which fairy tale would you choose?”
“With your gruff attitude and these isolated cabins, it would definitely be Beauty and the Beast.”
His gaze moved over her pixie features. “Would you be Beauty?”
Audra shook her head. “I never said that.”
He would. “I guess we each have our own fairy tales.”
Audra’s dark curls danced in the gentle breeze. Her champagne eyes searched his face. “You know, if you’d like, I can redo your braids.”
Jack fought the urge to smooth a hand over his hair. Audra’s expression held neither criticism nor disdain. Still, his cheeks burned with embarrassment. He hadn’t thought much about his appearance in months. Years? Not since Zoey had gotten sick. Without his daughter to prompt him, he’d thought about it even less after she died.
“No, thanks.”