Brighter Than the Sun

A few minutes later, they pulled into the marina across the lake from where the compound was located, and she stared at the cozy inlet that housed so many boats. It had the beginnings of an absolutely perfect day. The water was calm and serene and a vibrant, deep blue that had her sighing with delight.

“Liking that sound a lot better, so whatever you’re thinking now, keep thinking and stop dwelling on that other shit,” he said firmly.

Her eyes widened in surprise at how adeptly he read her body language even when her face wasn’t a direct reflection of her thoughts. But then considering what he and his brothers did and the fact that Rusty had warned her of their ability to read any situation, it shouldn’t shock her that he seemed so in tune with her chaotic mind.

He chose a parking spot and then hopped out, reaching back for the basket and a cooler she hadn’t seen until now. Then he walked around before she could clamor out and held up his bended arm for her to hold on to as she slid down from his truck.

“Ready to go put the whooping on a mess of unsuspecting bream?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Ready to get your ass kicked by a girl again?” she challenged in her sassiest tone.

He threw back his head and laughed. Then to her surprise he dropped a kiss on her upturned forehead. “Yep. And I plan to enjoy every minute of it.”

CHAPTER 14

“MY cork bobbed!” Zoe shrieked, nearly dropping the rod and reel she had a death grip on.

Joe smiled as the bobber went crazy over the surface of the water and then suddenly disappeared from view. “Now!” he shouted. “Pull up, but not too hard. Set the hook just like I taught you.”

She yanked entirely too hard but thankfully the hook was firmly set, because all she got for her efforts was resistance. Her eyes danced with excitement as she began to frantically reel. Her brow furrowed and she bit into her bottom lip in concentration as she fought the bowed rod.

“That’s it. Reel slowly. Not too fast. Get him into the boat.”

Suddenly the fish broke free of the surface and dangled haphazardly as the line swung in crazy circles. Joe reached out to snag the line and then brought the fish inside the boat so he could take out the hook.

Zoe stood over him, a frown dimming her earlier enthusiasm. “That’s it?” she asked skeptically. “He felt so much bigger! We’re supposed to eat that?”

He laughed at her bemusement and then held up the freed fish for her inspection. “That’s a very nice size catch,” he pointed out. “Larger than average. Definitely a keeper.”

“Seriously? You’re not putting me on?” she asked as he opened the live well and tossed the fish inside.

“Nope,” he returned. “You catch us a few more like that and supper is guaranteed.”

“Oh. They just seem so . . . small.”

“Sometimes the best things in life come in small packages,” he said, allowing his gaze to drift meaningfully over her sun-kissed body.

She flushed but pleasure shone in her eyes. “Think I’ll catch another one in the same spot or should I fish somewhere else?”

“Oh hell no. Throw your bait right back where you had it. Where there’s one, there’s usually at least a dozen.”

“What about you?” she asked, staring back at him as he perched on one of the seats to watch her.

“I’m having a good time right where I am. No better view on the lake,” he said lazily.

She snorted. “You’re so full of it, Joe Kelly.”

He grinned. “Nothing but the truth, ma’am. My mama taught me never to lie.”

At that, her expression sobered and she turned quickly around as she cast her line in the general vicinity of where she’d just caught the first fish. Joe shook his head, impatience flaring. She was no closer to opening up to him and trusting him than she had been the first time they’d met. In fact, if anything, it seemed that she’d only tightened her reserve around him as if she’d firmed her resolve not to let anyone in. Had she confided nothing in Rusty or was Rusty as clueless as the rest of them were? More and more he wondered if his sister had been telling him everything when she’d related what Zoe supposedly told her about her ex-boyfriend screwing her over. But even if Rusty did, he couldn’t ask her to betray Zoe’s confidence. Not when it would likely send her running as fast and as far in the opposite direction as possible.

Frustration beat at him. At a time when he should feel as if he had all the time in the world to explore a relationship with a woman he could very well see forever with, instead he felt as if he were working against the clock and time was fast running out. He couldn’t explain the persistent edge of panic that assailed him. Just that it was eating a hole in his gut and if he didn’t make his move fast, he could lose her. However, if he made his move too fast or came on too strong, he lost her anyway.

Hell of a position to be in.

Suddenly all the times he’d given his brothers so much shit over their women came to mind and he grimaced. If they had felt even half of his fear and frustration when he was busy giving them shit, he was surprised they hadn’t beat his ass on the spot. He would have deserved it. He had a bad feeling he was going to owe one hell of a round of apologies before it was all over with. But he could eat humble pie with the best of them as long as it meant coming home to Zoe every night.

“Joe!” she cried as she grappled with her pole. “I’ve got another one! Oh my God, you were right! There’s more!”