Page 37 of Unpacking Secrets
Like Blue, I was practically bouncing in my seat with excitement. Henry eased off the road and parked the truck, revealing the broad expanse of calm blue water before us.
“I know you’ve seen the lake already, but this is my favorite spot along the shore.”
I could see why. We were the only people here, nestled among the trees. It was like a private slice of paradise.
“Can we go down to the water?” I asked, already unbuckling my seatbelt.
“I figured you’d want to. Just be careful on the rocks. I don’t want to have to fish you out of the lake,” he teased, grinning at me.
I slid carefully out of the truck while Blue took off at a gallop toward a triangle of seagulls. They squawked at the dog and relocated farther down the beach, leaving Blue to pounce at the waves as they tumbled onto shore. Henry appeared at my elbow.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.
Though I was tempted to refuse on principle, the scene before me was so stunning that I couldn’t find it in me to protest. Hell, I couldn’t even drum up a snarky comment about not needing to lean on him anymore. Instead, I just slipped my hand around his elbow and let him lead me along the rocky path down to the edge of the water.
It was glorious in its simple beauty: earth, water, sky. Off to the right, I caught a glimpse of the lighthouse from Nan’s wedding photo and I wondered if I’d be able to visit it myself.
Henry followed my gaze. “That’s the Spruce Hill Lighthouse. It’s open to the public certain days of the week. There are a lot of very scary stairs inside, though, so I suggest you wait until you’re fully healed to tackle that one.”
I made a face at him, but he only grinned and touched the tip of one finger to my nose.
With a reluctance that surprised me, I released his arm. To cover my reaction, I closed my eyes, throwing my head back and lifting my arms at my sides to let the breeze drift over me. It wasn’t the ocean—which I’d only seen once, in any case, coming from the landlocked Midwest—but the smell of greenery and sunshine and water filled my soul to overflowing.
I was so grateful for this serenity, I had to swallow down the lump of emotion clogging my throat.
After several minutes, I opened my eyes to peek over at Henry. He was studying me with the same intent curiosity I recognized from when I planned a painting. I wanted to crack a joke, break the tension somehow, but I could only sigh softly and smile at him.
“Thank you,” I mouthed.
It was stupid, given the loud cries of the seagulls and Blue’s occasional bark, but I didn’t want to disrupt the stillness of this place with speech.
His smile was beautiful. It spread slowly, as though each muscle made a conscious effort to join in the irrepressible pull of joy.
“You’re welcome,” he mouthed back.
I didn’t know how long we stood there, close but not quite touching, watching the sunlight dance across the surface of the water. All I knew was that this place called to me in a way my hometown never had and that, somehow, Henry seemed to sense it.
Gratitude seeped through me, as warm as the sunshine on my face.
At least that’s what I told myself. It seemed altogether too likely that the warmth was a side effect of my proximity to Henry Walker.
Fifteen
Henry
Bluecametolayat our feet just as Juliet shifted her weight. I figured her knee was aching and nodded toward the boulders at the edge of the shore.
“Why don’t we sit?” I suggested.
She gave a grateful nod, so I helped her over the rocky beach and lifted her onto one of the boulders, ignoring her scowl as I hopped up beside her. The rock’s awkward shape forced her to sit right next to me, so close that our thighs were pressed firmly together from hip to knee.
I tried to convince myself that the sun-warmed surface of the rock was the only thing heating my skin through the dark denim of my jeans, but there was a faint pink to her cheeks that suggested she was feeling it, too.
Eventually, the peace of our surroundings melted away the awkwardness of our position. Juliet relaxed little by little, leaning ever so slightly against my side. In a tone just above a whisper, I pointed out a bald eagle soaring over the trees to our left. Her expression of wonder made me want to show her everything the area had to offer—everything I had to offer her.
Well, her expression and also the faintly floral, utterly intoxicating scent of her hair when I leaned close.
At the moment, it was difficult to tell what exactly drew me so intensely, but it was clear this woman was quickly getting under my skin. Though it wasn’t what I'd expected, I was more than willing to accept it. Even if I wanted to, I wasn’t sure I could resist the pull between us.
