Part 25 (2/2)
”I love sports.”
Ben walked up just then. ”Autumn's a fabulous rock climber, sweetheart. One of the best in the state.”
The girl's blue eyes widened. ”Wow! I've seen those guys up on the mountainside, hanging down off the boulders. Do you do that?”
”I do.” This time Autumn's smile came easy. ”I love it. My dad taught me. It's really a lot of fun.”
”What about kayaking?”
”Never tried it. Maybe that'll be fun, too.”
Katie grinned. ”It's awesome! My dad's teaching me, just like yours did.”
”Well then, I have a feeling you've got a very good teacher.”
”Dad's won lots of trophies and stuff. He doesn't compete anymore, but he's still the best.”
She thought of making love with Ben and bit back a smile. ”Your dad's really good at a lot of things.”
She looked up to see Ben watching her and there was a tilt to his lips that said he knew exactly what she was thinking.
”I'll take that as a compliment,” he said.
Autumn blushed. ”Are we ready?” she asked brightly, hoping to steer the subject in a safer direction.
”Kayaks are in the water-all but yours, Autumn. Katie already knows how to get into a kayak. She also knows how to get righted if you happen to turn over and how to get back inside if you fall out. Sweetheart, why don't you show Autumn how it's done?”
With the kayak sitting on dry land, Katie showed Autumn how to get in, then they worked on how to selfrescue. When Ben was satisfied Autumn could handle it, they were ready to go.
”All right,” he said. ”Let's get this boat in the water.”
They had already put on their PFDs-personal flotation devices-so they were all set. The lake was placid today, just a few ripples along the sh.o.r.eline, that moved out across the surface and finally disappeared. A greenheaded mallard and his lady watched them curiously, bobbing in the water not too far away, and a sea gull careened in the wind overhead. A warm July sun s.h.i.+ned down and the air smelled of pine and loamy earth.
With the kayaks in the water, Ben reviewed the best way to get in and how to use the paddles.
”I've canoed with my dad,” Autumn said, ”so I should be okay with that.”
”Great. We're using SOTs. That means Sit-on-Tops. They're the easiest to master when you're learning. Some of the guys are switching over to them completely.”
She c.o.c.ked a brow. ”But you're an old-school kind of guy.”
”How'd you guess?”
But Ben was old-fas.h.i.+oned in a lot of ways. He was always a gentleman, except in the bedroom where he turned into a total caveman. He used just the right amount of male dominance to make the s.e.x good, but also knew when to let her lead-the perfect combination as far as Autumn was concerned.
Apparently, her body agreed. Thinking about being in bed with Ben made her nipples tighten. Thank G.o.d, she had on a life vest so no one could see.
”If everything goes well today,” Ben said to Katie, ”maybe your mom will let us try the kayaks in the river. There's a nice easy stretch that feeds into the lake not far from here.”
”I think she might let me. John tells her all the time that it's better for parents to let kids be kids.”
Ben had told Autumn John Cleveland was the man Joanne was dating, a nice guy who worked hard and had a good career with the bank.
”So you like him?” Ben asked.
Katie looked down and shuffled her feet. ”Yeah, I do.”
Ben reached over and caught her chin, lifted her face so that she looked up at him. ”You don't have to be ashamed of liking someone, sweetheart. I'm glad your mom has met someone nice.”
Katie seemed relieved. A big grin spread across her face. ”Are we ready to go yet, Dad?”
”We're way past ready. Let's get moving.”
By the end of the day, Autumn was comfortable in the kayak and really enjoying herself. It was great being out on the water again. She hadn't realized how much she had missed those canoe trips with her dad.
All in all, it was a terrific afternoon, though as the day came to an end, she began to notice something odd between Katie and Ben. As much as he obviously loved his daughter, Ben kept a certain distance between them. Autumn thought perhaps it was just his way, but he wasn't that way with her-in fact, he was getting far too close.
She couldn't help wondering if Molly's disappearance hadn't played a role in his relations.h.i.+p with Katie. From what she could tell, Ben always lived up to his obligations where Katie was concerned, but never went further. She couldn't help feeling a little sorry for the child, who looked up at her dad with big, adoring eyes and dropped occasional hints about them spending more time together.
Ben always managed to navigate the minefield leaving no hurt feelings, but still...
”Well gang, I think it's time for us to go home,” he said as the afternoon came to a close. ”Katie, you were fantastic. You're gonna be a real pro one day. Autumn, you did great for your first time on the water.”
”Yeah, Dad-she was terrific!”
Autumn grinned. The ten-year-old had already won her over completely. Maybe it was because Autumn felt so close to Molly and the sisters looked so much alike. But Katie was sweet and kind and like her dad, a very good athlete. Maybe somewhere down the road, Autumn would teach her to climb.
She shoved the thought away. Once they found Molly, her relations.h.i.+p with Ben would be over. There would be no reason to continue to see him. Odds were he would be tired of her by then anyway.
Autumn felt a sad little quiver in her stomach and forced her attention back to Katie.
”I have to admit it was really a lot of fun,” Autumn said. ”I love being out on the water.”
”Me, too.” Katie reached out to catch her hand. Autumn laced their fingers together and when she glanced at Ben, she saw that his expression had softened.
Autumn smiled at Katie who grinned, carving a tiny dimple into her cheek, then spotted a woman walking toward them. She was wearing a yellow bikini on a tall, curvy, darkly tanned body and had long, honey-blond hair.
”Ben McKenzie! Is that really you?”
Ben smiled. ”I'm afraid it's me, all right.”
The woman reached him just then, leaned over and planted a light kiss on his lips. ”You are a sight for sore eyes. How long has it been?”
”I haven't competed for at least four years. It's been that long, I guess.” He turned. ”Charlie, you remember my daughter, Katie, and this is Autumn Sommers. Autumn, this is an old friend of mine, Charlene Brockman. Everyone calls her Charlie.”
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