Seasons by Katrina Alba Read Free Book Online Page B

figured you could use a mental break.”
    “I’m probably the least morning person you will ever meet, so you are lucky you have something good planned, Charlie Salazar!” I tease.
    “Well, good. I’m glad you approve.”
    “The coffee didn’t hurt either,” I say before taking a sip.
    We drive just out of town and pull into a small parking lot. When Charlie parks, I can see a dock area with a bunch of rowboats and paddleboats tied up. I help him grab the fishing gear and some other stuff out of the bed of his truck. I follow him over to the white boat with Mira written in navy lettering.
    “You built this?” I ask admiring the boat as we put in the equipment we just carried over from the truck.
    “My dad helped me. It’s sort of our thing, making stuff together.” He shrugs.
    “Charlie, it’s beautiful. Mira?” I ask confused.
    “Yeah, it’s sort of a double meaning. Mira is short for my mom’s name Miranda, but also, it reminds to stop and look at what I have in life,” he reveals and I contemplate it, but don’t ask him for any further explanation.
    The sky is still dim with just the first hints of the day starting to lighten the dark horizon. The smell of morning dew on the trees is in the air and chirping birds are in full force singing of the new day. By the time, we load everything into the boat and push off, the street lights have gone out, finally. We can see now, even though there are no rays of sun shining just yet. Charlie paddles us away from the dock at a fast pace. It’s obvious he has had a lot of practice. His shoulders are powerful, and I can see the ripple of his muscles through his grey long sleeve t-shirt with each rotation of the oars.
    Within maybe five or ten minutes, we’re in the middle of the pond, and Charlie drops a small anchor off the boat to secure us in place. He opens a small plastic container and takes out a mealworm, puts it on his hook, and casts out his line. He hands me the container and another fishing pole he brought. I take out a mealworm, put it on the hook, and cast out my line as effortlessly as he did. I look over with a smirk, and I’m rewarded with one of his breathtaking smiles.
    “I’m impressed.” He nods his approval.
    “You seem surprised…”
    “Everything you do surprises me,” he quickly retorts, “but it’s a good thing.”
    “I’ve been fishing since I could hold a fishing pole. Mel didn’t move here until fourth grade, and before that, it was just me and the boys.”
    We sit next to each other watching our lines and waiting for the bobbers to submerge telling us there is a fish on the line. A few moments later, subtle bursts of the sun start to streak the sky. Over the next ten minutes, I watch the most beautiful view I have ever seen as the sun rises over the water of West Lake. I feel Charlie’s hand brush mine, and then he ever so slowly entwines our fingers. It’s overwhelming. The sunrise is breathtaking and his touch both comforts me and sends me in a tailspin all at once. I take a deep breath and relax into his touch trying to take it all in. I want to absorb this moment into my brain. I know deep down this will be imprinted in my mind always. I don’t dare turn my head to look at him for fear of ruining the moment. We watch until the sun is completely illuminating the sky, and it’s incredible.
    “Charlie, it’s breathtaking,” I whisper.
    “I know. I have never seen anything so beautiful,” he whispers back.
    I sneak a sideways glance at him and my stomach drops when I realize he was looking at me when he said it. He has the exact same look of awe that I had on my face watching the sunset—only he is watching me. Before I can think any further, my bobber dives under the water and my line is being pulled out of my reel at super speed!
    “Whoa,” I jump up and grab my fishing pole to attempt to reel in my catch. A few minutes later, I pull a foot long bass out of the water.
    “Nice catch!” Charlie says with a