Page 33 of The Apple Tree

“Black Paw Lake.”

“Nobody fishes there.”

“Exactly. But there are fish in the lake, so two birds, one stone.”

“You don’t want anyone seeing us fish?”

“Bingo.” He winked.

I opened my mouth to protest his need to be so secretive, but then it hit me that we would be secluded and alone, which was fine too.

He stood and sipped his coffee again before heading into the house.

“You should know that three desperate women in town are interested in you.” I followed him into the kitchen. “They askedmy mom about you. I said she should stay out of it. You just moved here. You have a new job. And you have Josh. So …”

He set his mug by the sink. “You assume I don’t have time to date? Or you don’t think any of these women are a good match for me?”

“Yes.” I returned a sharp nod.

Kyle grinned. “You don’t think I have time to date,andyou don’t think any of these women are a good match for me?”

“Correct.” I pressed my lips together and shrugged.

“Or is it that you don’t want me dating anyone, which makes no sense.”

“First, why would I care if you date someone? And you’re right; it wouldn’t make sense for menotto want you to date, but why do you think that?”

“Because if I date someone, I’ll need a babysitter. And if you babysit for me, then I’ll owe you which means you’ll learn more things on that long list of yours. You should want me to date.”

Or you could date me.

“True. But we don’t have time to discuss this any longer. You have practice, and none of these women are the ones. I’ll let you know if I find a good fit.”

Kyle’s eyebrows made a slow ascent of his forehead. “Are you my babysitterandmy matchmaker?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I hadn’t planned on it, but I’m obviously the best qualified, so I’ll do it.”

He grabbed his keys. “Why are you best qualified?”

“Because I’m young. I know almost everyone in town. I hear all the gossip. And I have totally awesome taste in everything.”

“And you’re humble. So humble.” He smirked, stopping beside me before continuing to the door.

I didn’t turn my head at first, but when I did, he winked.

Why was he such a winker? And why did I think it meant he liked me? Like …likedme.

CHAPTER NINE

JOHN PARR, “NAUGHTY NAUGHTY”

Eve

We metat the lake after dinner.

Kyle was already in his fishing boat when I arrived. I walked at double speed, clenched my fists, and told myself to slow down and chill out. But I couldn’t. He was taking me fishing on a lake that didn’t have another boat in sight.

“What took you so long?” he asked, offering his hand to help me off the dock and into the boat.

---