Paradise by Eileen Ann Brennan Read Free Book Online Page B

him.”
    “Oh,” she replied sheepishly. “Of course. I knew that.” She wished he wouldn’t laugh so loud when she made a complete idiot of herself.
    * * * * *
    “So, Robbie, what do you do when you’re not entering contests?”
    The question startled her, coming so unexpectedly in the middle of a lecture on…well something or other. She’d been checking her cell phone every five minutes, but got only half of a weak service bar.
    “What do you mean ‘what do I do’? Like do I scuba dive? Do I parallel park? Do I star in Broadway musicals?” She hated that question. It was right up there with “What’s your sign?”
    “Do you?”
    The chortle from the back of the canoe was unmistakable. What was wrong with her? The man was only making conversation. She softened her tone, hoping to make up for her rude retort.
    “I never scuba dive, too many, er, unknown variables in the water; rarely parallel park, too treacherous, and I’m still waiting for Andrew Lloyd Webber to return my calls.”
    She glanced over her shoulder and found him studying her again. Only this time, he wasn’t concentrating on her butt. His gaze locked with hers and in that instant, she re-confirmed she would worm her way into that man’s sleeping bag before she returned to civilization. He had a way of looking at a woman as if he could see right into her secret soul and was amused at what he found.
    He arched an eyebrow, ignoring her flippant response and waited for her to continue. Spinning back in place, she resumed paddling.
    “I, um, well, when I’m not entering contests, I…” A shiver ran the length of her back. She tried to remain motionless, hoping he wouldn’t notice. The image of him sitting behind her, knees spread, well-muscled legs covered with crisp, dark hair extending from his Crocodile Hunter shorts as he methodically shifted the paddle from side to side reminded her of some great Indian warrior -- except maybe for the Red Sox baseball cap. He was absolutely mouthwatering.
    “Actually, I design Internet websites, blogs and stuff.” She blundered, trying to grab her wayward imagination and stuff it back into her brain. “I, um, have my own business. It’s not very big, but I have plans. When I get back, I’m heading to New York City for a shot at a major contract. Only they called this morning and want to hire me instead. I’ll have to give up my business and move to New York . It’s a big decision, but I think I like the idea.”
    “Gol-ly. New York City , ya don’t say. I’m impressed. That’s quite an accomplishment. You must have worked a lot of long hours to get this far. Looks like you’re on your way to becoming a real high-powered career woman.”
    Behind his complimentary words lay more than a hint of sarcasm. Or did she just imagine it? Turning her head slightly, she peeked over her shoulder. He didn’t pay any attention to her but scanned the horizon behind them.
    A low rumble caught her attention. Ominous thunderclouds rolled across the entire sky. Their black billows reminded her of Judgment Day pictures she’d seen as a child.
    “We’re gonna be hauling a little butt here, darlin’. We might be able to beat it.”
    “Great, here we are on the water, under trees and sitting in a giant aluminum lightning rod. Why not just hold up a sign ‘X marks the spot -- strike here’?”
    “Where’s your sense of adventure? This is where the fun begins. Hang on.”
    The seemingly unflappable tour guide concentrated on moving the canoe, but the gleam in his eyes told her better than words he was having the time of his life. If she lived to be a hundred, she’d never understand these Survivor-type people -- the ones who had to face death or major injury to have fun.
    His powerful arm muscles bulged as he methodically skimmed the canoe through the water. She stared, mesmerized by the speed and rhythm as he twirled the oar from side to side shooting the canoe forward. At his sardonic look, she took her