Everything for You (Unforgettable)

by Natalie R Allen

  “Nope. No tent for me, just a sleeping bag.” He took his pillow from me, which was a shame, because the smell of him had escorted me all the way over.

  I bit my lip and couldn’t quite help the urge to tease him. “Are you telling me you got over your aversion to bats?”

  He grinned, his gaze flickering to the sky. “No, but I can always hide in my sleeping bag.”

  I smiled fully for the first time since he’d arrived. “Fair enough, I guess.”

  Simon was setting his pillow on his bedding and paused with his focus on me. He shook his head a little, his lips quirking with a sweet smile. “Your smile’s incredible, Kate.”

  The smile he seemed to be enjoying dimmed, and I blushed. He’d never been so candid, saying things like that to me, and the few times he had, I remembered vividly.

  You don’t even know this man, I reminded myself. It’s been years. I cleared my throat a little and looked out at the calm water. “I was about to go out on the lake. Do you want to join me?”

  Simon glanced at the kayaks and back to me. His lips twitched as he tried to keep a straight face, and I saw mischief in his eyes. “I do. But I call the red one.”

  I laughed at his childish remark and decided to retort with one of my own. “Oh, Simon, don’t you remember?” I took a step back and narrowed my eyes at him. “Whoever gets it, gets it!”

  I turned on my heels, leaving him there, but I didn’t make it ten strides when I heard him behind me. Before I knew what was happening, Simon’s arms came around me, picking me up and setting me back down in the opposite direction. I was breathless for a split second at the shock of being in his arms, but I quickly whipped around to see that he’d already made it to the red kayak. He’d pushed it into the water and had climbed in hastily by the time I made it to the water’s edge. When his head swiveled back to look over his shoulder, a roar of laughter echoed across the calm water. I stood on the shore, hands on hips, scowling at him and shaking my head. I had my own reason for my preference of the red kayak, but I never had discovered Simon’s.

  “Hey, what happened? Why’s Bryce all bent out of shape?” Simon asked as he came up on me.

  I was at the edge of the lake and kept my back to him. Bryce had been trying to teach me how to kayak, and it hadn’t gone well. He’d stormed off, and I was left feeling stupid and unsure of myself. “He has no patience for me when I’m nervous about something new. It’s alright. I’m sure I’m annoying to teach, anyway.”

  Simon stepped in front of me and touched my chin so I’d look at him. His ever-patient eyes searched mine, and my skin tingled where his touch lingered. He stroked softly, and the concern in his eyes caused me to look away. I was embarrassed Bryce had abandoned me and I wondered why Simon cared so much. He always stepped in where I was concerned and each time left me feeling a contented warmth for him. “I’ll teach you, Kate,” he said softly.

  My heart tripped at his sweet offer, but I wasn’t really up for it now, feeling so down. “You don’t have to. I’ll just do it another time,” I said, avoiding his eyes. I couldn’t bear for him to think of me as irritating the way Bryce always did.

  “Hey,” he said and waited until I looked at him to speak again. “I want to. Come on, let’s get a different kayak.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the line of kayaks along the shore. “Alright, pick one.”

  “Why do I need another one? I can just use the yellow one,” I argued.

  Simon shook his head. “I’ll pick one for you. Let’s see….” He walked up and down in front of the kayaks while rubbing his chin like this was a big decision.

  I snorted as I twisted my hair up and secured it. “You’re being ridiculous. It's just a color.”

  Simon put his hand up to quiet me, and I giggled. “This one, the red one,” he said, pulling it back to the area Bryce had been teaching me. “Now, I want you to sit on the ground the same way you’d sit in the kayak.”

  He pointed at the ground, and I sat down, looking up again as I squinted against the sun. I adjusted to avoid the prodding rocks and watched as Simon took the paddle out of the kayak and kneeled down in front of me.

  “Now watch the motion I make with the paddle,” he instructed.

  I studied the way he swooped the paddle to the right and then the left. He repeated the motion a few times before handing it to me.

  “Here, you give it a try,” he said encouragingly.

  I was nervous to make a fool of myself but took the paddle from him anyway and copied his movements. It was easier than I’d anticipated, and I looked at Simon to see an appraising smile.

  “That’s very good.” He nodded. “Now, come here and practice getting in the kayak on land before you try it in the water.”

  I bit my lip as he placed a hand on my back when I lowered myself in. Clearing my face, I looked at Simon for further instruction.

  “If you’d like, I can push you out to the water, where you can paddle around and get used to it before you try getting in on the water.”

  I smiled at him. “Yes, please.”

  The kayak shifted under me as he pulled, and I gasped, clutching the sides. Simon chuckled while he walked out until he was waist deep in the water, and then he turned to me. “Would you feel safer if I held on while you paddle? Or I can just stay close if you want to try alone?”

  Why was he always so nice to me? I smiled at him while I reached out and patted his hand. “I think I’m okay. If you’ll just stay close, it does make me feel better.”

  He tipped his head at me and let go. “Alright, give it a try. Let’s see how you do.”

  I dipped the right side of the paddle and then the left, and the kayak began to move. I gasped at the free movement, and Simon instantly shot his hand out, stopping it. I laughed breathlessly at myself. “I’m okay,” I assured him.

  Uncertainty hovered, but he let go all the same. I paddled and paddled, making circles around Simon, who turned with me as I moved.

  “You’re definitely getting the hang of it!” He grinned at me with such a peculiar look in his eye. I couldn’t help the happy grin I gave back. I liked that I was the one to kindle that special look in his eyes.

  “You’re doing awesome, Kate.”

  I smiled again; I always did love that Simon called me Kate.

  Chapter 6

  After I’d settled in the yellow kayak, I couldn’t keep the pleasant look from my face, knowing Simon was next to me. As we paddled around the small lake, I glanced at him every now and then to make sure he was real. It was strange to think that we knew each other on a very deep level, and now, the man might as well have been a drifter I was passing the day with. Though I fought against it, I felt a bit sorrow for the lost connection.

  “So, Kate, how have you been? Did you ever follow through with your plans to become a nurse?”

  Small talk; I could handle this. Especially if we were just going to talk about work. “I did. I took an accelerated program to be a pediatric nurse. The schooling was rough, but I love my job, so it was worth it. My coworkers are nice and the kids are fun. Well…” I rolled my eyes lightly. “Most of the time.” I smiled at him and turned the conversation from myself. I had a million questions. “How about you? Are you the intern taking your dad’s law firm by storm?” That had always been his plan from what I knew. Simon had studied hard in high school, and afterward, he was supposed to intern at his dad’s law firm while in school.

  He was quiet for a moment before he answered. “I’m not, actually,” he said with hesitation. “I was working toward it for a couple of years but…I ended up hating life, just like you said I would, and I quit.”

  I looked at him in surprise. My paddle knocked into his and he chuckled, but I was too shocked to get distracted. “You quit? What are you doing, then?”

  He glanced my way with a timid smile. “Well, a buddy of mine was looking for a partner to open an ATV store in Montana, and I told him I was in. I’ve always been into four-wheelers and side-by-sides, and thi
s seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. So, I packed up and moved to Helena. Anyway, I love my job now.” He smiled, and even though we’d been apart for so I long, I could tell just by looking at him that he spoke the truth. I wasn’t sure if reading him so correctly after all this time was a good thing or an embarrassing one.

  As we made a full loop around the lake, I dipped my hands in the water and splashed away the heat from the sun on my legs. Simon chuckled, and I glanced over to see why. He was looking ahead, but when I followed his line of sight, there was only open water. I pursed my lips when I had an inkling that I was the cause. “What are you laughing at?” I asked, my eyes narrowed. I continued to wet my legs, and Simon floated beside me.

  He let go of his paddle with one hand and smothered another chuckle. “You still can’t handle the mountain heat?” He removed his hand and had his bottom lip between his teeth to keep from smiling, but he failed and grinned when he saw me scowling at him.

  “I’ll have you know the sun’s much more intense in the higher elevation.” I sniffed and picked up my paddle once more.

  “If you say so, Kate,” he muttered.

  I resisted the impulse to splash him as I’d have done in the past. It was so odd to stop myself from behaving as I would have with him, years ago. To keep my head in the present, I thought about what he’d told me of his change in work. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Simon was always one to please his parents, no matter how miserable it made him. He strived for their approval. Which had me wondering if there was more to his story. Simon’s parents had pushed him in the direction of becoming a lawyer and a part of his father’s firm for so long, I couldn’t imagine they’d been happy when he’d decided to quit.

  “So, no regrets then with the change?” I fished. “How did your parents take it?”

  Simon glanced over with a sweet smile and our eyes connected. When he didn’t look away and I didn’t either, my pulse suddenly throbbed. His pretty gray eyes hadn’t changed at all. They still took my breath away, or in this instance, caused my lungs to struggle for another breath.

  After a quiet moment, he said, “No, Kate, no regrets.” His smile fell away into a solemn frown, and he cleared his throat. “As for my parents, they didn’t take it well.” His voice had an edge to it when he spoke of them; that was something that hadn’t changed.

  “When did this all happen?” I asked softly.

  “About a year ago. I was miserable because I felt so overloaded all of the time. One day I’d had enough and I decided that was it, I was going to do something else with work, with my life in general. I knew there’d be hell to pay with my parents, and I was right.”

  A crow circling above the far trees caught my attention, and I watched it as I replied, “I’m sorry your parents gave you a hard time, but I’m so happy for you, Simon.” I felt proud of him and threw him a pleased smile.

  He laughed. “‘A hard time’ is an understatement.” He looked sideways at me with his eyebrows raised.

  “Really?” I frowned. “They were that mad about you changing your career?”

  His eyes lingered on me for a moment. “There was more to it than that. It wasn’t just about my career. They were unhappy with—” He paused for a split second, but I caught it. “Other decisions I was making, and they couldn’t get over it. My parents haven’t spoken with me since.”

  I gasped and stopped paddling. My mouth was hanging open, dumbfounded. After a moment, I found myself feeling desperately sad for him. How could any parents throw their child away? I just couldn’t get over it. And with Simon, especially. I’d known Simon all my life, and he’d done everything his parents had asked of him. He was a very loyal son and so loving. Anger hovered ‘round me like a cloud, and I hated his parents at that moment. I plunged the paddle again and brought myself parallel to him once more. “What about Olivia? Is she on the outs with you as well?”

  “No, I’m still close with her. She refused to take sides. Actually, Olivia’s married now and lives in Florida.” He chuckled, his eyes on me, as though he knew my reaction would be entertaining, and it was.

  “What?” I squeaked. “She’s married? When did that happen?” I was shocked. The Olivia I’d known had always talked about wanting to live the single life.

  Simon grinned and shrugged. “A couple of years ago. Her husband’s name is Danny. He’s nice enough, I guess, and Olivia seems happy.”

  I shook my head, smiling in disbelief. “Well, I’m glad for her. Tell her I said congratulations.”

  He chuckled again, a sound I knew as well as anything, and one I’d missed terribly. “It’s still weird for me to think of my sister being married.”

  I looked away and changed the subject from marriage, asking him to tell me more about his new shop.

  “It’s going well. Our inventory isn’t quite up to what we want yet, but it’s on its way. We had an order this last month for a guy who does ATV tours in Utah. He wants six wheelers by October, so that’ll be good to get our name out there.”

  I was impressed. I didn’t know a ton about business, but I did know it was hard for a new business to make a profit in its first year. “I’m happy for you, Simon. And now we know who to come to with all our ATV needs.” I was sure Bryce and Uncle Borys would be interested when they found out.

  “You already have. Well, Bryce has, anyway,” he said matter-of-factly.

  I couldn’t help the frown. “What? He has?”

  “Yes. That wheeler of his, he bought it from my shop.” He looked unsure if he should be sharing this information with me, and he was right.

  “Why didn’t anyone say he got it from you?” I grit my teeth and looked away, seething. If my family knew Simon would be here today, they damn well should’ve said something. They all knew how I felt about his absence over the years, and this was a mean secret to keep from me.

  I kept my face turned; I didn’t want him knowing how just having my cousin in contact with him hurt. I missed him every day, and to think Bryce saw him…it felt like a stab in the back, or at least a kick in the stomach.

  Simon didn’t answer and when I looked at him again, he was watching me with a peculiar look in his eye. “It’s good to see you again, Kate,” he said softly.

  His reaction caught me off guard and all I had for an answer was, “Oh.” What I really wanted to say tripped on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to ask where he’d really been. What reason could he possibly have for the years that had pulled us apart. It was too much, though. I didn’t want to know, not yet. Simon asked if I was ready to head back to shore, and I nodded. “Yes, I think I’m done for today, or I won’t be able to lift my arms tomorrow.”

  “I’m sure glad I came,” Simon said lightly as we made our way toward the shore. I looked at him to reply, but he cut me off. “It was worth the whole trip just to ride in this red beauty again.” He winked at me and then closed his eyes while he rubbed the kayak with his hand.

  I didn’t hold back this time; I tsked, dipping my hand into the water, and splashed him with it. He was too absorbed in petting the kayak to see it coming, and the look of surprise on his face was priceless.

  After we beached the kayaks and made our way to his camp area, Simon offered me a drink. I thanked him, and he sat on the cooler, gesturing to me that I should sit in his chair. I sipped my soda as I sat down and crossed my legs. “So, what now?” I asked, studying the can in my hands. “Is there anything you need to do while you’re here? I don’t want you to feel like you have to entertain me.”

  “Nope,” he replied simply.

  I looked to see him staring at me and felt like squirming under his handsome gaze. He must know by now what kind of effect he had on women. I had a hard time believing he didn’t know his own appeal. Why did he keep looking at me like that, anyway? When he’d watch me years ago, he’d always turned away when I’d caught him. Now, he gazed openly at me, and if he did it much longer, I’d have to call him out.

  I waited, my eye
s flickering to my drink and back, and there his gray eyes were. “What?” I finally asked with an arched brow.

  His lips perked in a slight smile and he slowly shook his head, but still nothing.

  “Well?”

  “I can’t look at you?” he asked quietly with a tilt of his head.

  I blushed, unsure what to make of this fully grown Simon. The draw I felt toward him had me gripping the chair to keep me in my seat. I was used to being complimented by men, hit on even, but that was completely different. It never meant much to me with other men. Usually a polite smile and a thank you would suffice. But this was Simon, not just any man. The way he looked at me made me want to smirk and ask him to keep up this new game. And how had I gone so long without remembering his exact eye color? He had the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen.

  What was wrong with me? I couldn’t be thinking things like that, or I was going to wind up in an awkward situation. I blinked and looked away before I made a fool of myself by saying something I’d regret. I needed a distraction, and quick. After scanning our surroundings, I saw that Simon had a side-by-side wheeler on a trailer behind his truck. “Is that yours?” I asked, pointing at it.

  “Yes. I bought it when I knew I was coming up here. It hasn’t even been taken on a proper ride yet.”

  “Really?” I asked, finally looking at him again. A flush of pleasure ran through me when I met his gaze, and I sighed inwardly.

  “How about it, Kate—should we go break it in?” He had a wicked grin and wagged his eyebrows at me.

  I forced myself to laugh and shook my head at him. He really didn’t know how tempting he was or he wouldn’t tease like that.

  “Well?” he pressed.

  I took a quick second, wondering if I could play along like this without having him affect me too much. I went ahead and smirked at Simon Curtis in a way I’d never fully let myself and said smoothly, “I’d love to go and break it in with you.” I winked at him, and his eyes widened.