A White Rose by Ferguson Bekah

Author:Ferguson, Bekah [Ferguson, Bekah]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Rock of Ages Publishing House
Published: 2012-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Stepping carefully from the grainy beach into the front of a sideways canoe, Dakota gripped the edges of the boat for balance and lowered herself onto the seat bench.

“I don't know how you talked me into this,” she mumbled over her shoulder in the general direction of Jason. He laughed in response.

When she was settled, Jason stepped into the back of the boat and sat down, jiggling the hull as he did. She poked her paddle into the sand at his instruction and pushed toward the shore until the front of the canoe was facing the middle of the lake and she could no longer reach the sand. Jason used his paddle to propel them into deeper water, and from there, he steered while she dipped her paddle in and out of the water with gentle strokes; as he'd explained to her a few minutes prior.

Two weeks had passed since they'd gone fishing and Jason had called her the night before to see if she felt like a Saturday morning canoe trip. She was beginning to realize that spontaneous might be his middle name. At any rate, it was refreshing; the not knowing what he'd have up his sleeve next.

The early morning air was cold and brisk. A misty fog hovered along the shore banks on the far side of the lake; the sun beginning to lighten the deep blue waters of its center. She had never canoed before. She felt like a roly-poly blimp sitting there all bundled up in a sweater and puffy life jacket.

Dakota dipped her finger into the ice-cold water and shuddered. If this thing tipped… She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly and paused; resting the paddle over her jean-clad knees. The boat glided forward through calm waters as Jason continued to paddle. They were following the shore banks to the left of the Shanty Bay beach they'd set out from. Beach homes lined the bay on either side but after a while, the lake waters narrowed to the breadth of a river and the homes trickled away to dense woodland. Soon they were paddling next to rocky banks where towering pines and cedars lined the water's edge.

Below the clear water lay ancient, algae-covered boulders and logs. The occasional fish or school of fish darted out from under them and in and out of the various spindly branches of fallen trees spreading out beneath the surface. Slimy weeds floated in the undercurrents around them.

“This is so relaxing,” she breathed, overcome with awe.

“Yeah, I love it,” he said from behind her. “It's a great way to unwind and enjoy nature.”

“So tell me. How come you're so outdoorsy?”

“My dad,” he said after a moment, voice thickening. He cleared his throat. “He loved anything outdoors. We spent a lot of time camping, hiking… fishing. That kind of thing… ”

“Do you miss him?”

No response came but she didn't dare look over her shoulder. She could enjoy this only so long as the boat stayed steady.

“Yeah,” he said finally.

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