Broken Beginnings

Chapter 17

Chloe

The trail to the lake bled from the yard into thick full trees that canopied the dirt path with plush leaves. A light breeze rustled the leaves and I breathed in deep, closing my eyes at the sound. It was a sensational scenery that I would pull into my mind upon moments of stress. It would desensitize me when my mind was over-stimulated. It would offer peace.

My shoulder brushed Galen's side as he moved beside me down the path. He was warm and I had half a mind to move into him despite the warmth in the air. There was just something so comforting about him. I longed to be close to him. And that was why I had to do what I was about to do – in the middle of the lake. I would pour out my feelings to the man who had rescued me from myself. This man beside me was my savor and he was fast becoming my best friend. I couldn't imagine losing him to my inability to admit feelings.

"You look cute." Galen spoke and his voice was gravelly – rough. It affected me. Almost everything this beautiful man did affected me.

"Thanks." I glanced down at my jean cut-off shorts and white baby-doll top. It was cute and summery. It had been a steal of a deal that I'd found at a second hand store in Toronto. Most of my clothing was from the second hand store. It was what I could afford after mom passed.

"You've got great legs." I looked up at Galen and found him smirking down at me.

Was he trying to make me uncomfortable? He knew how I took to compliments – not well. "Thanks."

"Anything else in that vocabulary of yours?"

I rolled my eyes. "There might be."

He chuckled. "All right, I get it." He was bobbing his head and I couldn't help but wonder what he got?

"What exactly do you get?"

"You want to wait until you've successfully trapped yourself with me before you start talking." He was teasing me – and it made my heart race a thousand miles an hour.

A smile split my lips and I laughed under my breath. "Yeah,"

"I'm right though, aren't I?"

"Oh," I nodded, trying to stop my laughter. "You're right."

"I am male."

Now I really laughed. It was loud and condescending, and in response, Galen sported a mock wounded expression that only made me laugh harder. My stomach was sore when I finally regained my composure. How did he do this to me?

"You have so much to learn." I shook my head.

"Hey," he shook his finger at me as I walked along a small dock over crystal clear water. "You better be nice to me or I'll throw you into the water."

"You better not." I warned.

"Why is that?"

"I can't swim." I lied. I could swim. As a matter of fact, I was a really good swimmer. I had always had a love for water.

He frowned. "Maybe we shouldn't go out into the lake then."

"We'll be in the canoe." I shook off his concern. "We'll be fine."

"You'll wear a life jacket?"

"Sure." I rolled my eyes. "If that makes you comfortable."

Galen nodded, leading me to a little blue canoe. It was tied to the end of a dock. It looked old, but it was obviously still usable. "Get in, baby."

I grinned. I loved when he called me baby. When other men used pet names for me it was flat out annoying – but hearing Galen call me baby was like hearing the birds singing in the morning. I loved it. It just struck a cord in my heart and made me want to sing. Slowly, I moved toward the canoe. I stepped inside and quickly lowered myself as Galen climbed in the other side. I stretched my legs out to let the sun have access to my skin. It felt wonderful. If I wasn't feeling so nervous for the conversation I intended on having with Galen, I might have half a mind to lay back and close my eyes. Listening to the water would be a wonderful thing, I was certain.