Gideon's Grief (Winning His Devotion Book 5) by Amelia C. Adams

Author:Amelia C. Adams [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

When Gideon had gathered up his fishing equipment and headed down to the river, he’d planned on a quiet Sunday afternoon, a chance to think and relax. He hadn’t expected to run into the staff of the Brody Hotel, and he certainly was surprised to see Miss Bowman. It wasn’t an unwelcome surprise by any means, but he wasn’t sure how to interact with this young woman who was so full of light and life. Anything he said was sure to put a damper on her bright spirits, and that would be cruel.

After stumbling around for a moment, they had fallen into an easy conversation, and now as she tasted her first largemouth bass cooked over a fire, he watched for her reaction, hoping she’d like it. Wondering what she would say.

She cut a small piece of the white meat with the edge of her fork, then glanced up at him. “Here I go,” she said, merriment on her face.

“I promise, I haven’t poisoned you.”

“I suppose that remains to be seen.” She nibbled on the edge, then went ahead and ate the full piece. As she chewed, she pasted on a thoughtful look as though preparing to give a long dissertation on the merits or drawbacks of this particular fish. Instead, all she said was, “It’s good.”

“It’s good? I spent an hour fishing, I gutted it, I built a fire, I cooked it, and all you can say is, ‘It’s good’?”

“It’s very good?” she ventured.

He pretended to be angry, but she just laughed.

“I like it. I do,” she insisted. “I’m not sure how else I can convince you.”

“Perhaps, ‘This is the best fish I’ve ever had in my whole life.’”

She lifted an eyebrow.

“Go on,” he urged.

“Fine.” She sighed. “‘This is the best fish I’ve ever had in my whole life.’ In fact, I don’t think I will ever have a more delightful fish in the future, either. This fish will be written up in my journal. I shall embroider a verse about it to hang on my wall. I will—”

By now, Gideon was laughing. “All right, all right. That will teach me to ask for compliments. You’ve put me in my place, Miss Bowman, and I deserve it.”

As the others took their portions and tasted them, they each bestowed their own sorts of generous compliments, each more glowing than the last until Harriet proclaimed that Gideon should offer fishing lessons to the outdoorsmen of the world for the good of all humanity.

He lifted a hand, unable to laugh anymore or he’d split his sides. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent an afternoon with friends, joking about whatever entered their heads. He’d shut everyone out for so long that he’d nearly forgotten what laughter even was, but it was nice to let down his guard and appreciate the moment.

He especially appreciated spending this moment with Miss Bowman. The laughter had made her cheeks pinker and her eyes brighter, and he found himself wanting to stare at her, to drink in her joy.

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