“And she still lives in Washington?”
“She did...until she passed away a year ago—lung disease.”
“I am so very sorry.” Squeezing her hand, he reminded himself of his sister’s advice about asking and listening. Learn as much as he could about this fascinating woman—not a hardship at all. “What brought you to Alaska?”
“I wanted a fresh start. Turns out there are plenty of rugged, rich Alaskans in search of an image consultant.” She swept her paddle through the water. “Have you ever wanted to live somewhere else?”
He scanned the bay, drinking in the banks filled with lush green grass, the shadow of a bird rippling on the water. Mountains far in the distance. Everything he needed right here. “Nope.”
“I thought this time on the water was about getting to know each other better.”
“Sorry.” He tipped his head back to watch the progress of the eagle soaring through the sky. “Longer answer? I love my home state. I love the land and feel strongly about protecting what we have.”
A smile shone in her eyes. “That passion in your voice is exactly what you should bring to interviews.” She nodded in affirmation, her topknot listing to the side. “I hear you and Delaney Steele both played a large part in persuading Royce Miller to bring his innovations to Alaska Oil Barons, Inc.”
“He just needed to know there were people in the family who genuinely cared about preservation and not just the cost-cutting measures in his pipeline upgrades.”
“That’s what makes your two families strong, you know. None of you speak as one voice. You each have your own viewpoints and perspectives. No cookie-cutter types.”
“I definitely will take that as a compliment.”
“Why do you seem so surprised?”
“I think of an image consultant as ironing out all the wrinkles in a personality.”
“Not at all. Personality is what captures attention, and that is the ultimate goal. You just want the right kind of attention.”
Conversation ceased as a whale crested the water in the distance. Even from here, the kayaks bobbed with the ripples from the massive creature. The beauty of whale watching never ceased to leave him in awe.
But it was nothing in comparison to the beauty of Isabeau’s face right now.
“How’s your bucket list going today?”
A wide grin—a real one this time—danced across her face. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
Her eyes sparkled. Her joy made his breath catch slightly. All he wanted to do was reach over to her kayak and kiss her. Slowly. Deeply. To linger in a way they hadn’t during their hasty coupling in the boathouse.
But perhaps a better chance to linger with her would be during the picnic.
Those thoughts were cut short as Paige barked once, twice, full out, calling to him as she pawed at Isabeau. Her eyes glazed over and she swayed. Her paddle fell from her hands, hitting the side of the kayak and then the water. Her lashes fluttered closed as dread filled his gut.
Trystan paddled faster, closing the gap between them but all too aware of how far it was to shore.
Six
Isabeau had learned to live with diabetes as a teen. But her body’s lack of cooperation still frustrated her. Swaying, she forced her eyes open again. She gripped the sides of the kayak to keep herself from flipping as she sought to right the world wobbling in front of her woozy gaze.
Dimly, she registered Paige barking an alert—usually she pawed, then whimpered. A bark meant Paige was moving on to the big guns since Isabeau hadn’t heeded the first levels of warning. She tried to focus, to form words.
Words eluded her, but she saw Trystan paddling toward her with concern on his face. Help was on the way. She wasn’t alone. She simply had to hold on.
What an alien feeling to have someone to lean on so she could experience life more fully without worrying about what-ifs with her health. She could boat and watch the whales. And while she was sad the outing was done, how awesome to have experienced it.
With Trystan.
Paige’s barking decreased to a whimper as Trystan drew closer, stroke by stroke. Her dog seemed to recognize his help.
“Talk to me, Isabeau,” Trystan’s voice carried over the rippling water. “What can I do to help you?”
His words cleared away more of the fog.
“I’m okay. Just light-headed.” Her hand shaking, she reached into the waterproof box hooked to her kayak. “I’m eating a snack now. I’ll be fine.” She found a packet of almonds and popped a handful into her mouth, chewing slowly.
He grunted. Trystan looped a rope through the hook on the front of her kayak and paddled out front. With powerful strokes, he headed for shore, pulling her boat after his. She kept popping almonds in her mouth, feeling her vision steady with each bite. She should feel guilty about him having to haul her back to shore, but he paddled so effortlessly, he didn’t seem at all fazed. Muscles rippled along his arms in the wet suit.
Her mouth watered.
She was definitely feeling better. “I’m sorry to have scared you,” she called out to him. “And I’m really sorry to have ruined our outing.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed you to overdo it.” His words came out tight with self-recrimination.
“I’m an adult. I know my limits and I came prepared.” She finished off the last almond and continued, “Everything’s fine. Paige did her job.”
He grunted again. With a final sweep of the paddle, his kayak slid up onto the shore. He stepped out into the shallows, water lapping against his knees and hauled her kayak the rest of the way. He extended a hand and took her arm, bracing her as she swung her legs over the wide body of the boat and found her footing. They made their way to the rocky shoreline, Paige splashing alongside.
He eased her to a sitting position and beached
