He sounded an utter idiot. Get him around a beautiful woman and he completely lost his brain. Why would he possibly think she might be interested in salmon, unique or otherwise?
She gave a smile that looked forced. “How fortuitous that your sister’s wedding allowed you the chance to tick an item off a bucket list. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Haven Point. Will you excuse me now? I need to find some dry clothes.”
“Yes. Of course. Forgive me for keeping you. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.”
“No doubt,” she said. “Good afternoon.”
He nodded and she turned to hurry back to her house.
Ian watched her go for a moment before he turned back to the lake with its infinite mysteries.
Clouds were gathering among the peaks of the steep mountains on the other side of the lake. Rain clouds, if he wasn’t mistaken. He had heard there were often thundershowers in these mountain lakes during the afternoons.
He couldn’t wait to discover the idiosyncrasies of this lake. He had been intrigued by the area for years, more so since Gemma came here to make a new start.
He found it every bit as beautiful as his sister had described, a pure, vivid blue surrounded by mountains and pine forests. Already he could feel some of the tension that had taken up permanent residence in his spine over the past three years began to ease.
He and his children both needed this. Thomas and Amelia were extraordinarily resilient but they had still struggled since their mother’s death. Amelia was prone to tantrums and random fits of anger and Thomas had become much more clingy.
He had struggled, as well, Ian acknowledged, mainly to come to terms with his own failures.
When this holiday was over, Ian would have to put away his biology studies to turn his attention toward his responsibilities to his family. He knew what awaited him. While he dreaded some of it, he knew it was past time. His father had given him time during Susan’s illness and the past year while they all grieved, but Ian knew Henry couldn’t wait any longer.
He had one last glorious month of freedom.
Gemma’s wedding had given the perfect excuse to come to a place that fascinated him, to spend more time with his children as they worked on their journey toward healing and to immerse himself in his research.
He had plenty to focus on while he was in Haven Point. He absolutely did not need the distraction of a soft, curvy woman with hazel eyes and a smile that left him light-headed.
CHAPTER TWO
WITHOUT A DOUBT, this was Samantha’s happy place.
Some people enjoyed the adrenaline rush of a perfect run while downhill skiing. Others found most contentment while curled up in a comfortable chair with a good book and a mug of hot cocoa. Still others thrived as maestros in their own kitchen or while walking a mountain trail at sunrise.
For Samantha, it was right here in the workroom of her boutique, with a mouth full of pins and her hands holding up a length of gorgeous fabric.
Sam walked around Gemma Summerhill, who stood on a stool. Gemma had the perfect build to show off her creation. She was slim, tall, with dark hair and the vivid blue eyes she shared with her brother.
Samantha caught herself. She had told herself she wouldn’t spend another moment thinking about Ian Summerhill. After a restless night with heated dreams that featured a handsome man with those same blue eyes saying tantalizing things to her with a British accent, Samantha had resolved to put the man completely out of her head.
“Are you doing all right?” she asked his sister. “I only need a moment longer.”
Gemma, arms in the air, nodded. “For a dress this perfect, I’ll stand here all day. I can’t believe you’ve made so much progress in only a few weeks.”
“It’s really exquisite, Sam. One of the best dresses you’ve ever designed.” Her best friend, Katrina Bailey Callahan, sat in the corner, watching the proceedings. She was there for moral support for Gemma but had also agreed to help Sam if she needed it.
Sam had started out helping her mother with fittings. By the time Linda died, their roles had reversed and her mother had played the role of an assistant. Linda had always been the one to help her with fittings. It still seemed odd not to have her there.
She was grateful for Katrina’s help. While she had employees working out in the boutique area who could help her, including her assistant manager, Rachel Muñoz, she was shorthanded today and didn’t want to take her staff away from the showroom while she focused on the custom design work. She would repay Kat with lunch sometime soon, or maybe an hour or two of babysitting for Kat’s children, Milo and Gabriela.
“What about your own wedding dress?” Gemma asked.
Katrina made a face, considering. “Okay, you’re right. My dress was divine, the most gorgeous dress in the world. But yours is definitely a close second.”
“We will have to agree to disagree on that,” Gemma said, looking so pleased at her reflection in the mirror that Sam had to smile through her pins.
She loved helping a bride feel her very best on her wedding day. It was one of the best feelings in the world.
“I’m so grateful you could find the time to make a dress for me,” Gemma added to Sam. “I know how crowded your schedule is.”
She pinned the last hem. “Never too busy for you,” she vowed, and meant the words.
She had adored Gemma since the other woman came to Haven Point. She was funny, kind, compassionate. Somehow Gemma had managed to slip seamlessly into the fabric of life in this small Idaho town on the shores of a stunning lake.
“Ah. You’re the sweetest.” Gemma looked genuinely touched. “Are you certain you’ll be able to finish in time?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem. There’s not that much left to do.
