A Temporary Courtship

Stepping onto the main floor, she was far from enlightened other than another deer head mounted over the fireplace and some fish on another wall. Darren’s house had an open floor plan with a living room, a dining area and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Pretty but plain in neutral shades. The opposite wall was floor-to-ceiling windows.

Stepping closer to the windows, she peered outside. Woods surrounded most of Darren’s property, but there was an open field to the left that went on for days. Rolling hills beyond completed the idyllic view.

“I’ll be right back.” Darren disappeared down a short hallway into what must have been his bedroom.

Bree barely heard him. She walked around, touching the stone fireplace and scoping out the upstairs loft with a wrought iron railing facing those windows. What a perfect spot to practice her cello with such an inspiring view. Too bad the music room at Bay Willows faced the little post office instead of the lake.

“Here, that should do it, and your feet will stay warm.”

She took the thick woolen socks from him. “Thank you. You have a beautiful view.”

He narrowed his gaze as if questioning her sincerity. “I think so.”

Maybe his ex-fiancée hadn’t thought so. Maybe the plain walls other than dead animals didn’t appeal. The waders Bree had tried on had to have been Raleigh’s. They were too small for Darren. Somehow Bree couldn’t picture Stella’s tall, model-like granddaughter trussed up in rubber waders. Bree couldn’t imagine her here, either, amid the multiple shades of tan and lack of artwork. The lack of flair.

He gave her an odd look as if considering her for something. “Follow me.”

Bree’s stomach flipped. “Where?”

But he was already in the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a pot.

“What’s that?”

He lifted the lid and plunged a fork inside. “Venison stew. Wanna try it?”

Bree wrinkled her nose. “Cold?”

He chuckled. “Not quite. I had it for dinner tonight.”

She hesitated, not sure she wanted to venture quite that far, but then squared her shoulders. This outing was about trying new things. She stepped forward, waders and socks in hand.

Darren held the fork for her, cupping his hand underneath. “Go ahead.”

She stalled, looking into his eyes. “You made this?”

He laughed. A low, soft rumble that sounded incredibly masculine. “Don’t worry. I can cook.”

Bree took in the forkful offered and chewed. The venison was still warm and surprisingly tasty. She glanced at Darren again.

He watched her closely. “Well?”

“Good.” Her voice came out sounding strangely hoarse.

It was then that Bree saw her attraction reflected back from Darren’s blue eyes. He had to feel it, too—this strange stirring of the senses. For a moment, the only thing she heard was the increased beat of her pulse pounding like crazy.

He stepped back and set the fork in the sink with a clatter. “Ready?”

Bree nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”

Darren chuckled as he returned the pot to the fridge. “Let’s go.”

She blew out her breath and followed him back downstairs. Slipping into her sneakers and then clutching the heavy woolen socks and waders close, she climbed into Darren’s white pickup truck. What had just happened?

“I can put those in the back,” Darren offered as he clicked on the radio and country music whispered.

“I’m good.” Bree spied the slim backseat and clutched the socks and waders closer as if they’d protect her from the odd sensations flooding her.

Darren turned up the volume to an upbeat song that crooned about the mysteries between a man and a woman. Hearing some guy sing about kissing in the morning didn’t help. Not at all. Bree tapped her toe on the floor in time with the beat, hoping to dispel whatever it was that Darren had done to her with merely a smile.

She’d never met anyone like Darren before. Having grown up downstate, Bree hadn’t been exposed to things like venison, guns or smelt dipping. Was she ready for what lay ahead?

A shiver raced through her despite the warmth of the truck’s heater. Tonight promised something she craved. Not only a break from her usual routine but also adventurous freedom before she made one of the biggest time commitments of her life.

She’d wanted a change, and tonight definitely ranked as different. Only, she hoped this inconvenient attraction to Darren would pass. She’d worked with nice-looking musicians without any trouble. Maybe this was merely a temporary curiosity because Darren wasn’t like the urbane men she was used to. He was different. A passing fancy that would eventually vanish. Once her vacation was over.

* * *

Darren parked his truck next to his friend’s SUV and got out. The pungently sweet smell of burning wood hung in the air. There were several other vehicles parked in the small clearing off a two-track path. The place was crowded.

He looked up at the clear sky tinted pink with the memory of this evening’s sunset. A big crescent moon hung just above the tree line. It wouldn’t shed much light later—not quite the blue moonlight he’d promised—but then, he had flashlights.

“Something wrong?” Bree climbed out of his truck.

“Our moon is nothing but a weak sliver tonight.”