Love Fool (One Night Only Season 2: Hunter's Story)

Chapter Eight

Nature is on my side today, and it's about time something is. I take it as a sign that this is where Deni and I are meant to be when she spots a white-tailed deer and gasps, her face lighting up. Deer occasionally roam the city streets and sidewalks in town, so I'm accustomed to sightings of them, but the presence of this one sparks nothing short of awe in her.

"It's so graceful," she murmurs to me, removing her sunglasses to get a better look at the animal in the distance. "Are there many of them around here?"

"Tons. I'm sure you'll see more of them this summer." I will go out of my way to find them and capture all sightings on video if she isn't with me, now that I've witnessed how captivated she is. Whatever had her preoccupied earlier seems long forgotten.

"I can't believe I've seen a deer, a beaver, and a blue jay since we got here," she marvels. "What else should I be on the lookout for?"

Deni's face is filled with wonder. Her attention may be on the wildlife, but I'm transfixed by the joy in her eyes.

"There might be a loon or two floating on the lake," I say. "I thought I heard one a few minutes ago. The tadpoles are probably out, too."

"There are tadpoles in the lake?"

"There sure are. I used to catch them in my hands when I was a kid, and then try to keep them as pets. My parents made me put them back in the lake."

"You can catch tadpoles in your hands?" The idea of this appears foreign to her, and I can't tell if she's curious or squeamish at the thought.

"Want to try?" I ask.

"Maybe?" She tilts her head to the side, as if trying to assess if it's something she should sign herself up for or not.

"We can go look at them, anyway, if you'd like to."

"I'd like to. Lead the way."

That's how we find ourselves kneeling in ankle-deep water a few minutes later. I demonstrate how to catch a tadpole, cupping my hands and securing one within thirty seconds. Deni mimics me, but she doesn't get the same result. She comes up empty-handed after her first few tries.

I move closer and crouch down beside her. With only a few centimeters between us, I become aware that she smells like raspberries, vanilla, and sunshine. The scent of her and our physical proximity overtake my senses, until I glimpse the frustrated pucker of her mouth. Another tadpole has gotten away.

"Steady." I place my hand on her shoulder, noticing how soft her skin feels under my fingertips. "They'll come to you. You just have to stay still."

"Easy for you to say," she grumbles. Her eyes remain fixed on the tadpoles wriggling in the shallow lake water.

I stifle a laugh. She looks so serious right now.

"I think I repel them," Deni concludes, scrunching up her face. She takes her hands out of the water and stands up. Without her shoulder to touch, my arm falls to my side.

I also stand. "You don't repel them. Can I see your hands?"

"My hands?" She sounds uncertain, but holds her hands out.

"Palms up," I instruct her.

She does as I ask. I slide my hands under hers before I can talk myself out of my spur-of-the-moment plan that will keep us physically near to one another while also touching. My skin tingles where our hands meet.

"We'll catch one together," I explain. "I have a theory about what's going on."

We lock eyes. I search hers for any sign that our close contact has the same effect on her as it does on me, until I catch myself. It will be a miracle if I make it through the afternoon without giving myself away.