“See this?” She pointed to the yellow lure he’d specifically chosen for today—a lure that had worked very well for Chet and Max. “This is a lure, but crappie—that’s the kind of fish we’re lookin’ to catch—are picky about the color of lure they’ll go after.”
Whoa. How did she know that? Heat pooled in Luke’s chest as his admiration for this girl went up several degrees. He found a woman who knew this much about fishing incredibly sexy.
“Since the sun is setting…” Her eyes shifted to look at Luke. “…Mr. McKay should probably switch to a darker colored lure, or at least add a gold spinner.” She glanced back at the girls. “I’ll show you what that is as soon as Mr. McKay gets his tackle box.”
Not bothering to make another request that she call him by his first name, Luke leaned down and retrieved his tackle box. “Here you go, Miss Taylin,” he said wryly. When she reached out to take the tackle box, Luke held onto it for a few seconds. “For the record, I think the yellow lure will still be effective. Maybe we should have a little contest within the contest?”
One perfectly shaped eyebrow rose and the corner of her mouth lifted. “Sure.” She pulled the tackle box out of his hands. “Prepare to lose, Mr. McKay, because you’re about to get schooled.”
Luke had never wanted to kiss a woman more than he did right now. Good thing there were two preteen girls on board or he might have done just that. He watched Taylin spin around on those high-heeled boots of hers and he admired how nicely her jeans fit.
“Mr. McKay, are you fixin’ to stare at Miss Taylin or fish?” Courtney asked.
Sheesh. Were all southerners so candid? First the “old guy” comment and now they were calling him out. Once again he felt his neck flush as Taylin looked over her shoulder and caught him staring.
At least he was looking at her face now, and no longer admiring the intricate design on the back pockets of her jeans.
“Let’s fish.” He tore his gaze away and led Courtney to the stern of the boat where he proceeded to give her a lesson on casting and reeling. It helped him remember that he was fishing for fish, not a wife.
Forty-five minutes later, Luke had, indeed, been schooled. Taylin and her choice of lures had netted twice as many fish. Courtney had been very vocal about how unfair it was she’d been stuck with the losing team. He couldn’t blame her. He felt the same way.
To her credit, Taylin wasn’t a poor winner. She didn’t gloat… much. That little smirk on her face was driving him crazy, though. The desire to kiss her grew every time he looked at her. It was like now that he knew she no longer had a boyfriend, his reasons for avoiding a relationship were irrelevant, despite his messy marriage and then divorce.
The ride back was quiet, with only the sound of the wind rushing in his ears and the hum of the motor moving them gracefully across the water. Just before the sun melted into the horizon, they approached the dock. Jackson and Dave had already returned. Dave waved at them from the dock and started to walk toward the covered slip where Luke kept his boat.
Gently, Luke tapped the throttle to align the boat and headed straight into the slip. He cut the engine and tossed the rope out to Dave who helped guide it alongside the dock.
“Thanks,” Luke said to Dave. “When did you guys get back?”
“About five minutes ago.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Jackson is getting his truck so we can load his boat.”
“Great. Let me get these girls off, and then I can help.”
Luke assisted Courtney and Felicia, and they excitedly showed off their cache of fish to the youth minister.
Taylin had her back to him, storing the life vests in the compartment beneath the seat. He didn’t let his gaze linger for very long. Someone was bound to point it out. Either that, or Taylin would turn and catch him ogling her again.
He busied himself by making sure the fishing rods were properly stored, taking note once more of the killer combination of lures Taylin had put together. Maybe she could be his new fishing buddy. They could fish and then return to his house and have a fish fry, and then after, they could sit by the fire and…. The next scene that flashed in his mind sent his pulse soaring.
So, no, she would not be his new fishing buddy. Christopher and Jillian would have to do.
“You okay?” Taylin asked, standing directly in front of him.
He blinked, and wouldn’t you know, his gaze landed right on her mouth. Fighting back the impulse to go all caveman by just giving in and kissing her, he took a step backward. “Yeah, just, uh, thinking about what I want… I mean, what I need to do.”
“Can I help?”
Luke nearly groaned out loud. This woman was killing him. “Nope. I’ve got it.”
She studied him intently, and he was so afraid she’d know how out of control his thoughts were right now. He wanted to draw on that gruff, semi-jerk he’d been when he first met her, but he couldn’t do it.
“You were great with the girls,” he said. “I think they had a lot of fun, even if Courtney got stuck with the old guy.”
Humor filled her eyes, and she laughed. “I hope she didn’t bruise your ego.”
“It helped when she qualified it by saying I was cute.”
Something else filled her eyes then, and Luke found himself battling thoughts of kissing her once more.
“Yeah, I reckon she’s right,” Taylin said. “You are pretty cute for an old guy.”
She left him standing there and his mind literally blanked on him. He didn’t have one witty comeback, not even a stupid one.
He felt the boat rock as she climbed onto the dock, and he followed her with his eyes as she walked toward his house.
“I would ask how your fishing trip went, but from the looks of things, it appears you made the catch of the day,” Dave said.
Luke snapped his gaze toward the youth minister, a denial on his lips, but changed his mind. Why lie to a man of the cloth?
“Don’t you dare breathe a word of this to your wife,” Luke said. He jumped out on the dock. “I need time to process what went on out there, okay?” And what Taylin had just admitted. She thought he was cute. She also thought he was old. Their age difference wasn’t that big of a deal, was it?
Dave grinned. “Okay.” He clapped a hand to Luke’s shoulder. “But you should know Taylin isn’t the kind of girl that you catch and release.”
Luke squinted. “You’re using fishing analogies on me?”
Dave shrugged. “I like to be creative.”
“Got it.” They both watched as Jackson backed up his truck and trailer near the bank. “Hey,” he said, glancing over at Dave. “Despite my feelings right now, I’m not sure I’m ready to even go fishing yet.”
His friend nodded his head. “Okay, but do me a favor and don’t let a bad experience ruin a chance for something even better.” He grinned. “Just because you got skunked your first time fishing, doesn’t mean it will happen again.”
Luke shook his head. “Fishing will never be the same again.”
Chapter 9
Taylin held her hands out in front of her, feeling the heat from the flickering flames of the campfire Luke and Dave started right after they’d eaten a late supper. She licked her lips, tasting remnants of the gooey graham cracker, chocolate and roasted marshmallow treat she’d eaten a few minutes ago.
Her eyes drifted across the circle and settled on Luke. He sat in between Courtney and Felicia, determined to teach the girls how to roast a marshmallow without setting it on fire. If she’d known he took his marshmallow roasting so seriously, she would’ve set hers on fire a few times.
This man was a mystery to her. Usually, she knew when a guy was interested. There were several times when she knew he was interested, but then he’d go and ignore her and she wasn’t sure if she’d read him right in the first place. Since returning from their fishing trip he hadn’t spoken a word to her, let alone looked at her.
Maybe when she’d told him he was cute for an old guy it had offende
d him. Of course, she didn’t really think he was old. According to Rachel, he’d just celebrated his thirty-first birthday before moving to Mitchel Creek.
Pulling her eyes away from Luke, she continued her perusal of the small gathering. When she got to Rachel, her friend mouthed, “Go and sit by him.”
Taylin discreetly shook her head. What did Rachel want her to do? Go and kick either Courtney or Felicia out of their chair?
Rachel mouthed it again and this time Taylin mouthed the word “no”. A look of frustration crossed Rachel’s features. Then she popped up out of her seat.
“Who wants to hear Miss Taylin sing for us?” Rachel said.
Several hands went up, along with most everyone shouting out yes. Taylin enjoyed singing, but somehow having Luke in the audience made her nervous. She chanced a look at him and found him watching her.
“I didn’t bring my guitar,” she said, moving her gaze back to Rachel.
“You can use mine,” Rachel said. She turned toward her husband. “Sweetie, can you go get it?”
Dave stood up. “Sure.”
Rachel had a nice voice too, so Taylin suggested she sing as well.
“I wish I could.” Rachel coughed into her hand. It was obviously a fake cough. “But I’ve got this tickle in my throat.”
Holding back an eye roll, Taylin reached for her bottle of water and took a long drink. Her nerves already taut, she avoided looking at Luke. A few of the kids threw out some requests of songs she’d done before. One of them was an original her brother had written, and that seemed to be the general consensus.
Dave returned with the guitar. While Taylin tuned the guitar using an app on her phone, the kids all made one last gooey marshmallow treat. Once everyone settled down, Taylin’s fingers found the opening chords.
Although she was nervous with Luke watching, it didn’t take long for the music to take over. As she got lost in the beautiful words and melody, her nerves vanished, as did her audience.
Taylin’s fingers strummed the final chord, and her surroundings came back into focus as those around the campfire whistled and clapped. She lifted her face, and her gaze connected with Luke’s. Invisible sparks ignited between them, almost as if the firelight reflected in his eyes had actually started this flame of undeniable attraction.
The slightest grin tipped the corners of his lips. “Beautiful,” he mouthed.
She bit at her bottom lip and lowered her lashes. Taylin didn’t have a shy bone in her body, but for some reason, compliments from this man made her feel timid.
“Sing another one, Miss Taylin,” Felicia said.
With several more requests for an encore, Taylin picked at the strings to start another song written by her brother. Her fingers trembled, but she pushed through her nerves and let the music take over.
A few times her gaze drifted to Luke and she found him watching her with rapt attention. It both thrilled and terrified her. He’d said he didn’t date co-workers, and she’d said he wasn’t her type, but maybe they could forget their earlier edicts.
When the song ended, Dave requested she do a cover of a popular Christian tune before they called it a night. The kids grumbled about the bedtime announcement, but it didn’t last long and they quieted as Taylin began playing the beginning notes. Before she started the song, she glanced at Rachel. “How about a duet?”
Rachel smiled, and with a little encouragement from her husband, walked around the fire to stand next to Taylin. The two of them had sung many times before and their voices blended beautifully. Rachel joined in on the second stanza, harmonizing perfectly. When they sang the final note, nobody clapped. There didn’t seem to be a need.
“Thank you, ladies,” Dave said. “That is the perfect way to end our day.”
“Amen,” June said.
The silence broke as June and Becca rounded up all the girls to go into Luke’s house to use the restroom and brush their teeth. Taylin was a little disappointed when Luke left the fire to lead the group inside.
She stood up and handed Rachel her guitar. “Thanks for singing with me.”
“You’re welcome.” Rachel winked at her. “I think you have a new fan.”
“Oh really?” She tried to act ignorant. “Who?”
“You know exactly who I’m talking about.”
Both of them turned toward Luke’s house. Through the large windows, Taylin could see Luke leaning against a countertop, talking with June and Becca.
“I can’t really get a good read on him,” Taylin said, glancing back at Rachel.
“Well I can, and the guy is smitten.”
The possibility that could be true made Taylin light up inside, as if a dozen fireflies danced in her stomach. “Even if you’re right, I don’t think he’s willing to break his rule about workplace dating.”
“I can always find out,” Rachel teased.
“No ma’am, you will not.” Taylin gave her a pointed look. “He knows I’m interested and that I think he’s cute.”
“You told him that?” Rachel asked with a laugh. “When?”
Taylin told her all about Felicia’s comments, making Rachel giggle.
“What are y’all laughing about?” Dave asked, coming up beside his wife.
“Out of the mouth of babes,” Rachel said.
Dave lifted a questioning brow and Rachel handed him the guitar. “Let’s go put this away, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
The couple left and Taylin could hear Dave laughing all the way to their car.
Phil, Becca’s husband, had arrived after dinner and was busy helping the boys clean up around the campfire. While they worked, he simultaneously told them about his military training, which made him exceptionally good at hearing things at night, like boys trying to sneak off.
Taylin shivered as the fire was doused. The temp had dropped down into the low sixties, but here on the water it felt cooler. She went to the tent she’d be sharing with the girls and traded her hoodie for a Neoprene jacket the hospital had given out during National Hospital Week. She also grabbed her toothbrush and paste, intent on joining the girls in Luke’s house.
As she exited the tent, she heard an owl hoot overhead. She turned toward the sound and searched the trees. Plantation Lake shimmered beneath the moonlight, the water so calm it almost appeared to be glass. She heard the owl again, but was still unable to see it.
Turning away, she started toward Luke’s house. She couldn’t see him through the windows anymore and he wasn’t back outside. Now that Phil had arrived, maybe he’d changed his mind about sleeping in a tent and he’d already gone to bed.
The house was warm and very beautiful. The scent of new carpet and paint permeated the air. Taylin removed the slip-on shoes she’d replaced her boots with earlier and treaded across the wood floor toward the sound of the girls’ laughter.
She found June and Becca waiting for the girls in Luke’s kitchen. They sat at the bar and Taylin admired the beautiful dark granite countertops that glittered under the lights. Both women smiled when they saw her.
“You have such a beautiful voice, Taylin,” June said. “I declare, you could do that for a livin’ if you wanted.”
“Ah, thank you.” After everything her brother had been through trying to make it in the music industry, Taylin was happy with her nursing career. She slid onto a black saddle seat barstool next to Becca. “Wow, this kitchen is amazing.”
“I know.” Becca sighed loudly. “I’d love to have a kitchen like this to cook in.”
Taylin noticed the sleek black appliances and coveted the six-burner gas stove. She’d inherited her mama’s love for cooking and knew she could create some incredible meals with such an elite piece of equipment. She wondered if Luke would make good use of the kitchen now that he’d moved in.
A few of the girls filed out of the bathroom and June stood up. “Y’all ready to get your sleeping bags rolled out?”
The girls nodded and June ushered them outside. Felicia and Courtney came out a m
inute later, allowing Becca a turn in the bathroom.
“Are you sleepin’ in the tent with us, Miss Taylin?” Courtney asked.
“I sure am.” She hoped she actually did get some sleep. Even though she hadn’t worked a full twelve-hour shift, she’d been up since five this morning to get ready for work, and she was tired.
“Awesome,” Felicia said. “Maybe you can teach us how to French braid our hair.”
Becca came out of the bathroom, and Taylin stood up to take her turn. “Sure, I’ll be out in a minute.”
“We can wait for you,” Becca said.
“No, I’m okay. Go ahead and get the girls settled.”
Alone in the bathroom, Taylin washed her face and then brushed her teeth. Using a paper towel from the roll Luke must have left out on the countertop, she patted her face dry. Then she took another paper towel and dried off the granite surface.
Just like the kitchen, the bathroom fixtures were shiny and new. She loved the oversized garden tub and wished she could fill it up with hot water and soak in it. Her clothing and hair had to smell like campfire.
Taking one more look in the mirror, she opened the door and turned off the light. The house was quiet, except for the muted laughter of the boys. Apparently they were using the bathroom next to the garage.
Wishing she could take a tour of the house, Taylin walked back toward the French doors. She caught the scent of the cologne Luke used just as she spotted him looking out the large windows. His hair was damp, and she guessed he’d taken a shower.
The floor creaked, and he turned toward her. “Oh, hey,” he said, his eyes widening. “I thought all the girls were outside.”
“Sorry, I’m the lone straggler.”
A loud thump, followed by raucous laughter, sounded from down the hall. She hoped the boys weren’t making a huge mess.
“I hope they’re not misbehaving.”
He smiled. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
“It’s very generous of you to open up your new home.” Taylin glanced around the area. “Which is very beautiful, by the way.”
Just a Kiss in the Moonlight: Georgia Moon Romance Book 2 Page 8
