Jennifer Crusie - Manhunting

And what he’d seen today was not going to help matters.

Sighing, he took off his clothes and went into the lake. It felt like a cold shower, which was just what he needed anyway.

When Kate got back to the cabin, she slammed the door behind her, her face burning with embarrassment. She’d done it.

The only problem was, now she had to face him sometime again.

The more she thought about it, the braver she felt. Big deal. He’d seen her naked. It was her choice. And he probably didn’t give a damn. And, the sooner she faced him, the sooner she’d stop dreading it. She’d just act like nothing happened. No big deal.

In fact, the more she thought about it, the prouder she was of herself for being so free, so brave. Jessie would have loved it.

She had steak and eggs and home fries for breakfast to celebrate, and then at nine, she buttoned an oversize white shirt over her black bathing suit, filled a cotton bag with books and apples, clapped her new black hat on her head, and went off to meet Jake at the boat.

“Nice hat,” was all Jake said when he saw her, and Kate breathed a tiny sigh of relief. Still buddies, she thought. I’d have missed him. She got in the boat, and he rowed over to the willow.

They took off their shirts, set their poles and then leaned back. Their legs stretched out in the boat companionably next to each other, and Kate no longer worried about touching him, absentmindedly enjoying the warmth of his skin next to hers, as she pulled out her book and began to read.

Jake watched her read. He was glad she’d come back because he would have missed her. There really wasn’t any problem because as attractive as Kate was, she’d made it clear that he was not part of her plan. There was no danger. And now that she was back, he felt comfortable again. He hadn’t lost anything by seeing her naked except for the few brain cells he’d burned out looking directly at her breasts.

He looked up into the willow and listened to the water lap against the boat. It’s a good life, he thought and pulled his hat over his eyes and slept.

Half an hour later, Kate was deep in her book and didn’t notice the tug on Jake’s line until the pole was nearly bent to the water.

“Jake!” she called, and when he didn’t answer, she swatted his leg with her foot.

He woke up grumpy.

“What?”

“There’s something on your line.”

He tilted his hat back and then sat up fast, grabbing the pole before it flipped into the water.

“Damn,” he said, and fought the fish. It was a big one, and it broke the water battling, flapping water all over him as he ducked and tried to grab it Kate reclined in her end of the boat and watched Jake fight the good fight while she ate her second apple.

Finally, drenched and exasperated, he got the fish off the hook and threw it back in the lake. He sat looking at her, his forearms on his knees, his hands dangling in front of him, water dripping off his chest, arms and hands.

“You were a great help,” he said.

“If I’d known you were going to be this energetic,” she said, “I wouldn’t have brought you.” She tossed her apple core back over her head into the lake. “Now cut the hook off your line. The fish around here are positively suicidal.”

Jake shook his head at her stupidity. “What does a fish have to be depressed about?”

“Fine.” Kate waved her hand at him. “Slap yourself in the face with a fish again.” She leaned back in the boat and picked up her book. “Just make sure you let me know. I don’t want to miss it.”

A few moments later she heard the soft snick of his knife cutting through the line, and she grinned to herself.

“Give me an apple,” Jake said and she put her book down and tossed him one. He lay back in his end of the boat and bit into it.

“Where’d you get the hat?” he asked.

“Cline’s.”

“It looks really good on you.”

“I know. I think it’s sexy.”

He studied her critically for a while. “No,” he said finally. “It’s not sexy, but it looks good.”

Kate smiled smugly. “Well, I’m counting on it being sexy. I have a date this afternoon.”

“Oh, Lord.” Jake closed his eyes. “Who are you going to destroy now?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The hotel would appreciate it if you’d just throw back the men you don’t like without maiming them.”

“I haven’t maimed anyone.”

“You almost drowned Lance, you scared Peter into heart palpitations, you stabbed Donald with a fork, and you hit Brad over the head with a bottle.” Jake shook his head. “And they still ask you out.”

“Lance asked for it, Peter was cheating, Donald was an accident, and, I might point out, I hit Brad to save you-an act I have regretted ever since.”

“They ask you out, but they don’t keep you. Has any guy actually finished a date with you?”

Kate sat up, outraged. “Listen, I’ve had affairs with men.”

Jake snorted. “So you’ve said, but where are they now?”

Kate glared at him. “Is there a point to this?”

Jake shrugged. “Just that it takes a brave man to spend time with you.”

“You spend every morning with me.”

“Yeah, but I make sure you stay in your end of the boat. If you try to get any closer, I’m going overboard.”

“You’re safe.” Kate sniffed. “I never attack wimps in boats.”

“I’m glad you have some standards. So, who’s the doomed man today?”

“Eric Allingham,” Kate said and waited for Jake to tell her that Allingham was a Nazi. When all he did was frown and take another bite of apple, she said, “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Well, what’s wrong with him?”

Jake shrugged. “Aside from the suicidal tendencies he must have if he’s dating you, nothing that I know of. Seems like a really nice guy.” He chomped into his apple again with more energy than was necessary.

“I think so, too,” Kate said doubtfully.

“You sound real enthusiastic,” Jake said.

“Well, after spending the morning watching you trout-wrestle, I find it hard to believe that Eric will be able to measure up in entertainment value,” Kate said. “You’re a hard act to follow.”

Jake shook his head. “Today was special. Don’t count on me slapping myself in the head with a fish whenever you get bored, because it’s not going to happen.”

“I’ve got a date tomorrow, too,” Kate said. “My plan may actually be working.”

“You can’t be that dumb,” Jake said.

Kate ignored him. “A really nice date.”

“Okay,” Jake said. “I’ll bite. Who will the rescue squad be picking up tomorrow?”

“Rick Roberts, the environmentalist. We’re hiking.” When Jake didn’t say anything, Kate asked, “Do you know him?”

“Yeah,” Jake said, a trifle sourly. “Your taste is improving. He’s a great guy.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

“I don’t. Stay away from cliffs and busy roads.” Jake pulled his hat over his eyes. “Watch where you’re going. Do not antagonize the wildlife. In fact, my advice is stay in the hotel. You’re due to give someone some serious trouble here shortly. It might be a good idea to stay within reaching distance of 911.”

“Very funny.” Kate lay back and pulled her hat over her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re so relaxed. I spend more time with you than anyone else. The law of averages says you’re the next to go.”

“Not me.” Jake yawned. “I’m too old and too cautious to let you catch me napping.”

He drifted off and Kate heard his deep, even breathing.

I should tip you out of the boat, she thought. Too old and too cautious. As Jessie would say, what a crock.

Then she fell asleep and they dozed together under the willow, rolling toward each other until their legs tangled as they slept.

At eleven, Kate woke Jake up when she went searching in the cooler for juice.

“You know, you used to be peaceful,” he grumbled.

“I can’t believe you were ever married,” Kate said, as she cracked the can open. “What did you do, make her stand in the corner all the time?” She drank some juice.

“Tiffany was not the type to stand in corners,” Jake said.

Kate spat her juice all over him as she laughed.

Jake sat up and glared at her. “What the hell?”

“You married somebody named Tiffany?” Kate said. “I can’t believe it.”

“At least I only have one mistake in my past,” Jake pointed out as he mopped the juice off with her shirt. “You’ve got Dopey, Grumpy, and Sleazy.”

“Paul, Derek, and Terence,” Kate said.

Jake’s laugh held a lot of contempt. “Good Lord, woman, where did you find them? Twits ‘R’ Us?”

“They were very nice men,” Kate lied. “Did Tiffany dot the i with a little heart?”

“Tiffany was an assistant district attorney,” Jake said. “Don’t be such a snob.”

“If Tiffany was so hot,” Kate shot back, stung, “why aren’t you still with her?”

“Because I wasn’t hot,” Jake said.

“Oh,” Kate said. “I’m sorry.”

“No, dummy,” Jake said, patiently. “I didn’t mean she dumped me. She was going places I didn’t want to go. We parted by mutual consent.”

“Oh,” Kate said again. “That must be nice.”

“It was hell.” Jake frowned at her. “Nice? Are you nuts?”

“No.” Kate frowned back. “I’ve just never parted with anyone by mutual consent. I’ve always had to escape while someone was holding on to my ankle.”

“If they’d been dating you, I can’t believe there was enough life left in them to keep a grip on you,” Jake said.

“They weren’t really gripping me,” Kate said, staring off into space. “They just hated letting go of the money.”