Page 5

Chapter

Lennon

The next day was clear, bright, and just the faintest bit crisp—a perfect day for a hike, which led Vivian and me on gentle switchbacks up to a rise above the lake. We sat on a sun-warmed boulder at a deep blue pond surrounded by green trees while white clouds reflected on the mirrored surface. I turned to look at Vivian, who had leaned back on her palms. She wore khaki shorts that showed some of her creamy, well-defined thighs, and an elbow-length T-shirt in a pale pink. She looked fresh and sweet and fit—absolutely perfect.

“It’s so pretty up here,” she said.

“It is,” I agreed.

She smiled, flashing a faint dimple, as she continued to look at the view, and I continued to look at her. “Eyes on the prize, Lennon.”

“They are.”

She laughed, a bright, cheery sound that had me cracking a grin. She placed her palm in the center of my chest and kissed me. My arms came around her as I settled into the moment.

Falling in love was everything I’d hoped it would be but better . I was so enthralled, I almost skipped my way back down the trail. We snacked on local cherries, cheese, and crackers at a picnic table at the lake’s edge.

“Ooh, how do you feel about a canoe ride?” Vivian asked as we passed the stack of boats.

“Not sure I’ll fit,” I said.

“Oh, you’re not that big,” she said.

I smirked. She flushed and bit her lip. I took pity on her and said, “I’ve always wanted to canoe.”

“Me, too. Do you understand the paddling? That confuses me.”

“I think so. But only one way to find out. Let’s go.”

Vivian laughed so hard at my attempts to get in the damn thing, I thought she’d fall out. Somehow, we managed to shove off the shore.

This far from the public beach, the water was glass smooth. The temperature was moderate, and the faintest hum of insects added to the serenity of the moment. Vivian tipped her head back, elongating her neck and giving me a view of her cheek around her hat’s brim.

Her hair was braided today, but soft wisps had slid out, framing her oval face.

For nearly twenty years, I’d been my mother’s and sisters’ protector. Their main provider. I’d made sure everyone had enough to eat, money for gas, school, clothes. I no longer had to worry about any of them—my mother now worked as an assistant for one of the lawyers at my sister Mia’s firm, whereas my youngest sibling, Nina, was in her third year as an interior architect. All were financially stable and held jobs that paid them more than their bills.

They were happy, healthy, and no longer my responsibility. Vivian could be my priority—Vivian and the family I could see us having. A kid or two sitting between us in the canoe in an ugly orange life vest. Belladonna or another large dog would join us.

The image was so real, so powerful, I ached for it to be true. I vowed then and there that such a future would be mine— ours .

“This is nice,” I said. “Peaceful. I can see why people like doing it.”

“I wonder why my mom moved away from here,” Vivi murmured. “It’s kind of paradise, really.”

“Maybe we could make it a tradition to come up for a week every year,” I said.

Vivian’s silver eyes glowed. “You think you’d want to do that with me?”

“I’m surer with each passing minute.”

She pulled her paddle out of the water and turned to face me. “Me, too. Lennon, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the last two days.”

“I know. It’s almost like a dream.”

Later that night, after a sumptuous dinner that left us both full and a little sleepy, we held hands as we meandered down the side street we’d taken as a shortcut to get back to Vivian’s bed and breakfast. It sat at the far end of the street, a tall sentinel against older homes, some dilapidated but others refreshed with crisp lawns and flowers bursting from their beds. We hit a section of the street that was darker than the rest because a couple of streetlights were out. Unease dripped down my spine and my steps slowed, which had Vivian glancing up at me.

“Maybe we should go back to the main street,” she said.

I shook off my concerns. “The area’s populated enough,” I said. “I’m sure it’s fine.” I shot her a smile to show I wasn’t worried about it…until shapes slunk out of the shadows. Worse was the glint of metal on the blades they held.