“We’re the ones who are sorry, Mrs. Gilbert,” the girl said, though she didn’t look particularly repentant.
“Sorry, Mrs. Gilbert,” the boy said. Samantha was relieved to see his teeth had finally stopped chattering. She wished her own would, but he had been wrapped in her sweater while she was still barely dressed.
“No harm done, thanks to Ms. Fremont here.” The woman’s employer gave Samantha a stiff smile.
“Bless you, then,” Mrs. Gilbert said, her eyes bright and so warm that Samantha immediately liked her. “Let’s get you into some dry clothes, young man. Come along. You, too, Amelia.”
They waved at Sam and then followed after the woman like ducklings, leaving her alone with their father.
She almost wished she had snatched her sweater back from Thomas before he left her alone with a man who was entirely too good-looking for her peace of mind.
It was a very good thing she had decided she was swearing off men for now or she would definitely make a fool of herself over someone like Ian Summerhill.
* * *
AFTER LETTY AND the children headed for their rental house, Ian was uncomfortably aware that he was alone with Samantha Fremont, in her thin, soaked clothing and her wet hair whose true color he couldn’t really tell.
Something told him it was probably not wise to spend much time on his own with her. How unfortunate for him that his new next-door neighbor was so lovely. Soft, pretty, curvy.
“Thank you again for rescuing my son,” he said, trying not to notice how her clothing clung to those curves. “He can be a bit of a rascal at times but I’m rather fond of him.”
“You’re welcome.” She didn’t appear to like him very much, though he couldn’t quite figure out why.
“Thank you also for your offer to allow the use of your dock. It’s very generous of you. Are you quite certain you don’t mind? We’re here until after Gemma’s wedding.”
“It’s fine.”
Yes. She definitely didn’t like him.
Usually that wouldn’t have bothered him but the woman was Gemma’s friend, he would be living next to her for the next few weeks and she was doing him the tremendous favor of allowing use of a dock to which he wasn’t entitled, contrary to his short-term rental agreement. He would be having a word with the estate agent who had helped him find the place.
“I’m sorry if I came across as too vehement earlier. I’m a professor, you see, of marine biology,” he felt compelled to explain. “While we’re here, I’m studying the particular subspecies of kokanee salmon that live in Lake Haven, which is remarkably similar genetically to a subspecies in England.”
“Funny. I would have thought you were here for your sister’s wedding.”
Ian felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. “You’re correct. That is the main reason for our trip. In this instance, I’m fortunate to be able to combine work with pleasure. The salmon here in Lake Haven breed in chalk streams similar to a unique strain we have in Dorset and have evolved similarly. I’ve been interested in comparing the two subspecies for years, long before Gemma moved to this area to work for Caine Tech. It seems a dream come true to actually be able to study them in person.”
He sounded an utter idiot. Get him around a beautiful woman and he completely lost his brain. Why would he possibly think she might be interested in salmon, unique or otherwise?
She gave a smile that looked forced. “How fortuitous that your sister’s wedding allowed you the chance to tick an item off a bucket list. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Haven Point. Will you excuse me now? I need to find some dry clothes.”
“Yes. Of course. Forgive me for keeping you. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.”
“No doubt,” she said. “Good afternoon.”
He nodded and she turned to hurry back to her house.
Ian watched her go for a moment before he turned back to the lake with its infinite mysteries.
Clouds were gathering among the peaks of the steep mountains on the other side of the lake. Rain clouds, if he wasn’t mistaken. He had heard there were often thundershowers in these mountain lakes during the afternoons.
He couldn’t wait to discover the idiosyncrasies of this lake. He had been intrigued by the area for years, more so since Gemma came here to make a new start.