Page 56 of Her Property

Cat bunched up her only unused tissue and threw it at him.

Alfred grinned. “Go get him.”

* * *

Cat wasn’tsure exactly where to go, but she thought she’d check Jake’s place first. When she pulled into the driveway, she saw his truck was there. But knocking on the door got her no response. “Jake?” she called.

Still nothing.

She stood there a moment, then ran down to the camp in case he was letting off some steam doing more building. The day was bright but freezing. Snow was on its way, the news said, but not today.

The camp was empty too.

Then she spotted a figure out at the end of the dock.

Running down the path, she slowed only when she reached the ramp to the dock. Jake was sitting at the end of the dock, looking out at the lake.

“You’re not thinking of going in, are you?” she called.

Jake turned around, nearly losing his balance.

Cat clapped her hands over her mouth as he recovered.

“Seems like you want me to,” he said. Then he grinned, and Cat’s heart flew so high she thought her feet might lift clear off the dock. Instead, they made her run to Jake, who got to his feet and took long, quick strides to meet her in the middle. Jake swept Cat up in his arms and then she really was flying. He kissed her, long and hard and with an intensity that made Cat feel like they were melding together into one beautiful soul.

“I’m sorry,” he said, burrowing his face into her neck.

“You already said that.”

“I mean it. More than anything.”

Jake lowered her to the dock and held her against him, cradling her head to his chest.

“How are we going to make this work?” Cat said.

Pulling back and taking her cheek in his hand, Jake looked deep into Cat’s eyes. “We’ll figure it out together.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Cat felt as if she were glowing incandescent on the inside; like the very stars had taken up residence in her soul.

“Jake?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you still stick around when I mess up?”

“Always. In fact, I’m going to need you to mess up a little more. You’re making me look bad.”

She laughed. They stood arm in arm, looking out over the placid waters of Ruby Lake.

“Should we go swimming?” Cat said.

“I have another idea,” said Jake, and before she could move he’d stuck his arm under her knees and scooped her up. “Let’s get warm.”

Cat shrieked with laughter and let him carry her back to shore.

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