Page 32 of His North Star
“I love you too.”
“Ready for the movie?” I grabbed the popcorn bowl off the coffee table in front of us.
“For Cary Grant? Always.”
I snuggled close to Mom, getting lost in Cary’s broad frame and hypnotizing eyes. It was time to give James a chance. To show him all of me and see if he could love me.
CHAPTER 9
“You promise you aren’t leading me to my death?” I asked James tentatively. Whoever came up with a tiny plastic boat as a safe means of travel was cuckoo.
“Scout’s honor,” James replied with three fingers held up. “Just get in the kayak. It’ll be fun.”
My stomach turned queasy and my legs shook. I fumbled aboard as awkwardly as a newborn foal. Images of the last time Ty and I river rafted flashed before my eyes. I let out a shaky breath. I could do this. James loved being outdoors. In order to prove to him I was worthy of him, I had to get over this fear. I had to fit in with his lifestyle.
James mapped out a calm, scenic route along the Flathead River to float down. Ty and Lys were ahead in a kayak of their own.
“Have you found a river with rapids that are worthy of your skill set?” I asked.
James pushed us away from the bank and veered further into the water. I inhaled deeply. We were mid-river and there was no turning back.
“Yeah. I’m hoping to go next weekend.”
I turned back to look at him. “You’re not going alone, are you?”
“Worried about me?” He winked while his lips turned up on one side.
“Yes, actually. Is that a crime?”
He smiled wider. “Not at all. It’s flattering you care.”
“Nothing better happen.” I pointed at him. “Promise?”
“Promise.” He nodded once.
“You should take Ty with you.”
My clenched stomach relaxed, and I turned back to the front. We both paddled to catch up to Ty and Lys. So far, so good. I wasn’t dying, and the kayak stayed afloat.
“Not too bad out here.” Ty grinned. His features were happy and free.
The gray rocks on either side of us shot up toward the sky. The bright green water stretched around us. Mist clung to my nostrils. No, not bad at all.
“It’s beautiful,” Lys hollered, listening to her words echo around us.
“Not sure what’s better, the scenery or the company,” Ty said, darting a glance at me. I appreciated his flattery, but what about the black-haired beauty in his own boat?
Lys stretched back, placing a sweet kiss on his lips.
Were they fine now? I had whiplash trying to determine whether or not they were staying together. At Glacier, I was confident Ty would break it off soon. But as the weeks went on, here they were. Together.
I shook my head, clearing it of Ty and Lys. Didn’t matter. I was here for James. I glanced over my shoulder at the guy I was officially dating. Well, as of today. This trip was our first real date. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but are you enjoying today?”
“Definitely.” He winked.
We rowed for another two hours, laughing, talking, and joking around. James calmed my fears, and I forgot I’d been scared when we first started.
“It doesn’t get better than this.” I sighed, perfectly content.
