Page 97 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

When another sound echoed from the kitchen, I gave up my interior design dreaming and walked out of the bedroom and down the short hall to find Ryder studying the stove.

“Good morning,” I greeted as I tied up my hair.

“Hey.” He smiled. “How do you turn this thing on?”

“It’s a gas stove so you have to light the burners.”

“Oh.” He searched the counter, probably looking for matches. “I was going to make some breakfast.”

“How about I do the breakfast?” I went to the stove, taking over his position in front of a frying pan. “Do you want to be my assistant?”

He nodded and we got to work. An hour later, Ryder had learned how to not only light the stove but also make french toast. And the three of us were devouring the biggest batch I’d made in my life.

“Don’t eat that one.” I plucked a mangled piece of french toast from the bottom of the pile before Ryder could grab it.

“Why?” Ryder asked, his mouth full of food.

“It’s all woogidy. I’ll eat it.”

Ryder stopped chewing. “Woogidy?”

Jackson chuckled, taking another two pieces for his own plate. “Willa makes up words.”

“Woogidy.” Ryder grinned. “I like it.”

I shot a so there look at Jackson. “Thanks.”

“So what do you want to do today for your birthday?” Ryder asked his brother.

Jackson winked at me. “I had a request to go fishing before the lake freezes. Figured we could take the boat out today.”

Ryder and I high-fived.

“Cold?” Jackson asked.

My teeth chattered. “I’m okay.”

He frowned and stripped off his thick, canvas coat to drape over my shoulders. The body heat trapped in the flannel lining warmed me instantly.

“What about you?” I asked. “You’ll freeze.”

“I’m good.” He kissed the top of my brown stocking cap.

We were in the middle of Flathead Lake on Jackson’s boat. The sun was shining down on the water. The air was cool and crisp. But the slight breeze wafting over the water had seeped through my jeans, sweater and brown puffer vest. I’d been fine in town, but as Jackson had sped his boat across the water, I’d turned into an icicle.

“I should have worn my snow gear.” And I would have except I’d wanted to look cute on Jackson’s birthday and wear my new Wellington boots.

“Yeah.” Jackson grinned. “Next time dress like Ryder.”

I giggled and looked at Ryder sitting at the back of the boat. His fishing rod was gripped firmly in his gloved hands. He’d even brought along his backpack, full of whatever extra provisions he’d packed inside.

After breakfast, Jackson had told him to get ready and wear warm clothes. Ryder had immediately gone to change, emerging from his room in the snow pants, winter coat and Sorel boots that Thea had bought him earlier in the week. He looked ready for the ski hill, not fishing.

But at least he was warm.

/> “Do you think we’ll catch anything?” I asked.

Jackson shrugged. “Maybe.”