Page 46 of Patio Lanterns (The Blue Canoe Cottage #1)

Since she’d been baptized into Rick’s custom of swimming wild, Robin had become addicted to it.

At first, it played right into her rebellious nature to go streaking, boobs and bits jiggling freely.

But the thrill was quickly surpassed by what she experienced the first time she plunged through the surface of the lake into the cool, refreshing depths below.

It was as invigorating as it was sensual, not necessarily in a sexual way, although it could rival an orgasmic rush—the surge of energy, the exhilaration as every nerve ending sparked to life, the luxurious feel of the watery current gliding over her naked body, unencumbered by a needless swimsuit.

When she swam alone, she let her mind float freely, a meditation of body and spirit as she relieved stress and reconnected with nature.

But when she and Rick shared the intimate experience, it transcended simply swimming naked with her lover to something that felt closer to unfiltered joy, a celebration of love and life itself that deepened their connection.

This was one such night. It had been a warm day, and the sky had turned a dusky lavender, painting the lake a velvety purple.

Treading water, Robin gazed at the man she loved, bobbing a few metres away.

She smiled to herself, thinking of him swimming wild in the lake, just like the night she first laid eyes on him.

“I love you, you know,” she said.

“I love you, too,” Rick said, smiling as he swam over.

“And I really love our life here,” she added. “Isn’t it amazing how much has changed this past year? And yet, here we are, still happy and frolicking naked together.”

He laughed. “And they said it wouldn’t last.”

“Well, let’s be honest. No one said that except Lark.”

Lark hadn’t exactly warmed to Rick and Robin’s relationship, but at least it had reached a point where she could be in the same room with them without huffing and rolling her eyes.

That was progress. If she’d stuck around Lake Whippoorwill longer, she might have really appreciated how good they were together.

Instead, Lark ended her summer sabbatical last September, deciding it was best for Nova that they return to Calgary.

She resumed practicing medicine and reconciled with Phil the Pill, much to the dismay of Robin, Dove, and especially Aidan.

Poor Aidan. Seemed he wasn’t willing to risk their friendship a second time by trying to dissuade Lark from making yet another a terrible mistake. Guess he reckoned he could continue waiting it out until she finally figured it out on her own.

Aside from his shitty love life, Aidan was doing quite well for himself. After telling Polaris North Property Development Corp where they could stick their partnership, he continued building custom cottages as a private contractor, and did it without knocking any existing cottages down.

Hunterbuilt Homes, of which Rick was a primary investor and partner, always had several projects on the go.

Aidan was building a place for a Toronto television producer who told him that he had “rizz” for TV and he should consider shooting a pilot to pitch to the Canadian HGTV or DIY networks.

Ha. Who’d have figured that Aidan Hunter might someday become Canada’s next Scott McGillivray? Well, other than Aidan Hunter.

But the client that really put Hunterbuilt Homes on the map was a real hot property himself: none other than Barrett Kemp.

Aidan and Dove teamed up to woo the action star’s business. Although it took some time to find property to suit his very particular needs, he settled on a modest little retreat—only a three-and-a-half acre private island—with a sprawling cottage, guest cabin, and boathouse.

It garnered a lot of talk amongst the cottage owners in and around Lake Whippoorwill.

While most was positive, the project had its share of detractors too.

It wasn’t so much that Kemp wasn’t welcome, but the entourage that accompanied him, and the paparazzi that inevitably followed, were already proving to be a source of friction, testing the patience and goodwill of the close-knit community.

Running interference between an international superstar’s cottage project and the community was a full-time job for Dove, who was also juggling the demands of her regular clients.

But Dove enjoyed the hustle, and because she was constantly hopping between the city and Lake Whippoorwill, Robin got the benefit of sharing additional sister time together.

As for Robin, her life had done a one-eighty.

She was no longer Merch Queen for the Dawn Cherries, having had the supreme satisfaction of telling a stunned Parker over video chat that she was quitting the band.

Now, that was finished. Done. Gonzo. Finito, Benito.

She didn’t miss life on the road, sleeping in her van, or showering in truck stops one bit, thanks to her late-blooming affection for Lake Whippoorwill that she’d inherited from her parents.

Along with the funds to buy Crawley’s General Store with Rick.

“This was a very good idea,” Robin told him as they leisurely swam back to the dock together. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

He smiled. “I did. You’ve been working night and day.”

“We both have,” she reminded him. “But weren’t we supposed to be enjoying a leisurely retirement now?”

He gave her a playful splash. “I’m enjoying my retirement just fine, boss lady, thank you.”

“Good. Because we still have a lot more to do. Finish the expansion and install the new signage. Then we can announce our plans for the coffee bar and ice cream shop. What would you say to calling it Vera’s ?”

“I think it’s a lovely tribute, and she would’ve loved it,” Rick said. “It would’ve meant a lot to her knowing that the name of Crawley’s General Store lives on.”

“I just want the people around here to remember Mrs. C, you know?” Robin said.

“They will. Because you’ll make sure they won’t forget.”

As they swam back to shore, Mutt Lange got up on all threes, yawned, and took a big stretch following his nap.

His little brother jumped up, excitedly waggling his tail so fast his entire body shook.

A mini Heinz 57, the scruffy ball of puppy energy was a rescue they’d adopted that spring.

Robin wanted to name him Sebastian Bark.

Rick wanted to name him Lui Passaglia after some football player.

In the end, they compromised and called him Gordie.

Robin climbed out of the water first. “Kids are hungry.”

“Me too,” Rick said, hoisting himself onto the dock. “Steak tonight?”

“My favourite,” she said, reaching for a towel. “Question is, your place or mine?”

“That is the question. The same one we ask ourselves around this time every night.”

She sighed. “I know. And I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to fully move in with you yet. You know it’s not because I don’t want to, it’s just that I can’t bear the thought of the Blue Canoe Cottage sitting empty and alone on that hill.”

“Babe, I get it,” he said with a smile.

“Lark and Dove and I have promised each other that we’ll make a decision before the end of the year. Lark says she’ll be back for a visit in November.”

“It’ll be nice having everyone here again,” Rick said, wrapping his towel around his waist. “And until then, I guess we’ll just continue cohabitating in two cottages.”

He’d been incredibly understanding, but Robin felt bad that she was the one keeping them from fully settling into a home life. “I’m sorry.”

He came over and cradled her face between his hands. “Hey, there’s nothing to be sorry about,” he said, angling in to give her a peck. “The main thing is that we’re together, right?”

She nodded, looking into Rick’s eyes. They were so filled with love.

A love that made her feel like she could do anything, and that everything she could dream of was entirely possible.

That she could own and operate the store.

That she could rally a few neighbours into staying to help save the storied history of their little community.

That she could find both a purpose and a place in Lake Whippoorwill, along with finding her person too.

And that might’ve made Rockin’ Robin Pelletier one of the luckiest fools that ever was.

Rick pulled her in and held her next to his heart. “No matter which roof we sleep under tonight, or any other night, my home is always where you are.”

Correction. It definitely made her the luckiest fool that ever was.

The End