Chapter Six

Audra turned to look at him. It had grown so dark it was difficult to see clearly.

“Are you serious?”

“Sure. Why not?”

She thought about his suggestion. It’d be nice to have someone to do a few things with, at least the things she couldn’t do alone. And she was dying to try the paddle boats.

Don’t get your hopes up, she warned herself. You know what Mitch’s like. He makes plans and doesn’t keep them if work intrudes.

“I’ll take you up on the paddle boats, but don’t feel obligated. I planned to be here entirely on my own. I don’t need someone to entertain me.”

“Would you rather I didn’t spend time with you?” he asked curtly.

“No,” she said quickly, amazed to realize how much she wanted him to. “I guess I’m just surprised you think you can squeeze me in.”

“I’m sure I can manage a paddle or walk.”

The cynic in her wanted to ask him for how long, but she remained silent. Skeptical, but hopeful. Was she setting herself up for disappointment?

“I didn’t realize it was so dark,” Mitch said, slowly sitting up, then standing.

“Feeling better?” she asked, tilting her head back to see him.

“The dizziness has passed. Ready to head back?”

“Maybe I will use that help,” she said, wondering if she should scoot back from the edge of the dock before attempting to stand. The baby threw her balance off.

He reached down his good hand and effortlessly pulled her to her feet. He didn’t release her, but stood close, crowding her, taking the air until Audra wondered how she was going to move. And where. Stepping backward was out of the question. Stepping forward would put her right up against Mitch.

Her nerves began to hum. Her body yearned for his, for a fleeting touch of his hand, for a searing kiss that would ignite her passion and sweep her away. As it had been once upon a time.

“I’ll be able to manage on my own again one day,” she said, tugging gently on her hand, refusing to dwell on the thoughts and memories that crowded her mind.

They walked slowly, finding the path, then discovering how dark it was beneath the branches. Twice Audra stumbled, Mitch caught her both times. After the second incident, he took her hand firmly in his.

“If we’re going too fast, we’ll slow down,” he said. “No taking chances with my son or daughter.”

Heart racing at his touch, Audra tried to concentrate on walking. His concern was for the baby, not her. But the sensations that danced along her arm belied that belief. It seemed the path had disappeared. Instead of paying attention to the uneven track, every inch of her was attuned to the man at her side.

His hand was firm and warm. His grip reassuring. His unique scent mingled with that of the trees and the lake. She wanted to imprint the memory on her mind to bring out in the future. A stolen night.

All the more special for being unexpected.

Audra was almost sorry when they reached the cottage. Reluctantly she released his hand to climb the three shallow steps leading to the porch. The door was unlocked. Switching on the living-room lamps a moment later, she felt blinded after the enclosing darkness.

She turned, surprised to find Mitch so close. She smiled, hoping her nervousness wasn’t obvious. Her heart seemed caught in her throat, racing out of control.

“I thought I’d take a long walk in the morning. Do you wish to go?”

If he could make a gesture, so could she.

“Or will that be when you work?” she asked quickly, hoping her voice sounded normal. She refused to be disappointed if he said no.

“I’ll catch up tonight, so tomorrow morning should be free.”

Walking up the stairs seconds later, Audra had the feeling he’d already forgotten her presence. Totally focused on his laptop, Mitch didn’t seem to know anyone or anything else existed.

Don’t expect anything to change, she warned herself as she closed her bedroom door. As someone to take an occasional ramble with, Mitch might be fine. Any hope for more was strictly forbidden.

Unconsciously she raised her hand to her cheek, rubbing it absently against her skin. She could smell him on her palm. The awakening sensations in her body did not prove conducive for quickly falling asleep. But that’s what she planned to do. No more thoughts of Mitch or what might have been.

Time enough in the morning to see if he meant what he’d said. Not that she cared. She refused to let herself fall into that trap a second time. The two of them were sharing a cottage for a few short weeks and once the time was over, they’d go their separate ways.

The next morning when Audra descended the stairs, she was surprised to see Mitch up and dressed and already hip deep in paper. He wrote on a yellow pad, sheets of paper on the sofa beside him, a stack on the coffee table and a few more pieces on the floor.

“Good morning,” she called softly.

He glanced up and nodded, returning immediately to his notes.

So much for expecting companionship on her vacation, she thought wryly as she prepared pancakes for breakfast.

Sitting in solitary splendor a few minutes later, she began to eat, savoring each mouthful. As the minutes ticked by, she wondered if Mitch had already eaten. Or if skipping meals was the norm for him.

Shades of their past.

Only this time she refused to get upset.

“Not good for either of us,” she murmured, patting her stomach.

Instead of fretting that the man was so caught up in business he ignored his own need for food, she planned her day. If Mitch still wished to accompany her, fine. If not, she’d still go on her ramble—maybe try to walk around the lake.

Once finished, she washed her plate, tidied the kitchen and packed a lunch—with a bit more than she expected to eat, just in case. Finished, she pushed through the swinging door to the living room.

“I’m ready to leave. Are you still going with me?” she asked brightly before she realized he had his cell phone to his ear. On the phone already.

He looked up. “Hold on a minute, Teresa. What?”

“I’m going for that walk. I’ve packed a lunch. Are you still planning to go?”

“Yes. I’ll be done here in a minute. Are you planning to eat breakfast first?”

“Already taken care of.”

“Oh.” He frowned.

If he thought she planned to feed him while he ignored her, he’d better think again.

“If you’ll be ready soon, I’ll have another cup of tea.”

“Yes, I—What?” His attention again focused on the phone.

Audra went back to the kitchen and prepared a cup of herbal tea. Waiting twenty minutes while she sipped the fragrant brew, she gave up and left for her walk. Alone.

“Good morning, Audra, lovely day, isn’t it?” Mrs. Carmichael called as Audra passed their cottage on the way to the path to the lake.

“It’s beautiful. I’m going to see if I can walk around the lake.”

“That’s ambitious. It seems quite a long way. Don’t get too tired. Won’t your husband be joining you?”

Audra smiled and tried to ignore the disappointment the thought brought.

“Not today. He’s working. If I get tired, I’ll stop at the main lodge and have someone bring me back.”

“Good plan. We hope to take one of those rowboats out today. John wants to try his hand at fishing. I told him that was fine, but he had to clean any we catch. Of course, if we’re really lucky, we’ll have enough for a fish fry and can invite you and the honeymooners over tomorrow night. Enjoy your walk, my dear.”

Audra waved and set off.

The morning was still cool enough that the sun felt good on her arms and face. She’d brought a hat to wear, but carried it in her backpack now, with her lunch. The silence was delightful. She could hear songbirds singing from the trees. The lake lapped gently along the shore, soothing and tranquil.

She’d enjoy the day and not feel disappointed Mitch was not with her. When she had arrived at the cabin, she hadn’t expected to see him. There was no reason to feel short-changed that he preferred work to a walk.

But she did—because he’d said he’d come last night.

For a fleeting moment she’d thought he might have changed, that maybe the accident might have put things into a different perspective.

Or that he might want to know more about the baby.

So much for expecting a miracle.

Mitch clicked off the phone and leaned back. The dizzy spell caught him unaware as always. Waiting patiently until it passed was difficult. He wasn’t used to waiting for many things. How many more attacks would he have today? He should be keeping score. They were growing farther and farther apart, as the doctor said they would. But he still experienced far more than he wanted.

Slowly he became aware of the silence. Where was Audra? Shouldn’t he hear her fussing around? Was she ready to go? As the dizziness faded he rose and went into the kitchen. It was empty.

Turning, he went back to the stairs. Her bedroom door was open, the room empty. There were few personal items evident. Her scent seemed to cling in the air—light and flowery. How had he missed it that first day? It seemed to be everywhere.

Suddenly he wanted to locate her. Take that walk, find something else to do besides reviewing the briefs that waited to be read and dealing with the next set of papers his secretary would be sending.

Audra wasn’t on the porch.

He wondered if she’d gone without him. A glance at his watch showed it was almost noon. Where had the morning gone?

“Where it always does,” he said gazing at the lake. He pulled the door shut, and headed down the steps. Maybe he could spot her on the beach.

As he passed the neighboring cabin, the older woman he’d seen yesterday called a greeting. She was sitting on a rocking chair, with what looked like knitting in her lap.

“Hello, finally finished your work?” she called.

He nodded, wondering how she’d known.

“Have you seen Audra?” he asked.

“She took off for a walk around the lake. You can’t catch up, she left a couple of hours ago.”

He frowned, an unexpected feeling of disappointment sweeping through.

Until that second he hadn’t realized how much he’d been looking forward to spending time with her. He’d told her last night he’d go with her, so why had she left without him?

“You might try the lodge and see if she’s there yet. She said if she got tired, she’d stop when she reached the lodge. I hope she’s not doing too much in her condition.”

“Exercise is good for her and I doubt she’d overdo it,” he said.

Not that Audra needed defending. His response came automatically, surprising him. Except for Thomas when they were younger, Mitch never felt the need to defend anyone.

Upon reaching the resort a short time later, Mitch parked Audra’s car and bypassed the lodge and headed directly for the lake. There was a wide sandy beach, complete with life-guard. Children played in the water, parents swimming with them or watching from the shore.

He paused and surveyed the scene, feeling totally out of place. He looked for Audra. Couples and families were everywhere. The resort was perfect for that kind of thing but not so perfect for single people, he thought, feeling like an outsider.

Even ones who came to recuperate and discovered their estranged wives.

He didn’t see her. Spotting a couple of empty lounge chairs, he strode over and sat down. The sun felt good as he leaned back. Had she already passed by? How long would it take her to walk around half the lake?

He’d wait a little while before giving up. The urge to find her, to join her for at least some of the day, was surprisingly strong.

He’d meant what he’d said yesterday.

He’d promised Thomas he would try to relax, to find something else to entertain him besides work. Could Audra help—at least while he was here?

Mitch was about to give up when he saw her. She was watching the children play as she walked slowly along the water’s edge. He rose to intercept her.