before dropping to fix on her. “Ryan mentioned last week I could borrow his kayak. With Nate sick, he and Betsy won’t be using it today.”
He reached around her and opened the car door she’d just unlocked. “You should come with me.”
Mitzi started to say no, but stopped herself. A friend had invited her to do something she enjoyed on her day off. Why was she hesitating? If their friendship stood any chance of flourishing, she had to quit being so hypervigilant. And there was no better time to start than now.
Hours later, when the bright afternoon sun had begun to droop, Mitzi helped Keenan load the kayak back on the top of the ancient Explorer they’d borrowed from Ryan and Betsy.
Accepting the invitation had been the right decision. They were just two buds enjoying the great outdoors. Laughing. Talking. Splashing. Simple pleasures.
Mitzi took a long sip of water as her “buddy” secured the last strap around the bright orange boat. From the smile on Keenan’s lips, he’d enjoyed the day, too.
After spending most of her life needing to be the one in charge, it had been surprisingly pleasant to sit back and let Keenan steer them expertly around boulders and a few heart-thumping logjams.
“I never thought anything named Bitch Creek could be so beautiful,” she said, thinking of the breathtaking basalt canyon they’d floated through this afternoon.
“I’m glad the route worked out.” Keenan raked a hand through damp hair, reminding her how he looked when he’d stepped out of the shower at the B and B. Ruggedly handsome. All male. “Normally at this time of year it’s too shallow to negotiate. The creek is fed by runoff.”
“You know your way around a kayak.” Mitzi cast him an admiring glance before taking another long pull from the water bottle.
When she noticed him watching her, she thrust the bottle in his direction. “Be my guest.”
Keenan drained the rest in one gulp. When he caught her staring, he grinned sheepishly. “I was thirsty.”
“I’d never have guessed.” Even as Mitzi spoke, her gaze dropped back to his mouth. All afternoon she’d done her best to keep her focus off those talented lips. Now she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away.
His smile faded. An arousing intensity replaced the teasing glint in his eyes.
Keep it light, Mitzi told herself. “I was wondering if you’d mind stopping at the store when we get back into town.”
He blinked. “Store?”
“The market.” She would.not.look.at.his.lips. “I need to pick up a few things for the coming week.”
“Sure.” He rocked back on his heels. “No problem.”
After stowing the Explorer and the kayak back in his sister’s garage, they dropped his Impala off in front of the boardinghouse. The spark of pleasure in his eyes when she tossed him the keys to the BMW made Mitzi glad she’d made the gesture.
On the edge of town, Keenan pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store he’d frequented as a kid. Though he hadn’t been interested in going to the market, neither had he been ready for this day with Mitzi to end.
When they’d dropped off his car and she’d tossed him the keys to hers, he knew she was inviting him to spend the night. Since he’d be working tomorrow at her place, he didn’t need his vehicle.
“This shouldn’t take long,” Mitzi told him as the automatic doors at the front of the store slid open.
“I’m in no hurry.” It felt natural to walk beside her, to stroll up and down the aisles with her while she grabbed milk, yogurt and a carton of eggs. Natural to talk and joke with the older woman standing behind them as they waited in the checkout lane. Natural to simply be with Mitzi.
Twenty minutes later, Keenan walked out into the warm evening air, a sack of groceries in one arm and the most beautiful woman in Jackson Hole at his side. Life didn’t get much better.
“Dr. Sanchez?”
The feminine voice had them both turning. Keenan didn’t recognize the middle-aged woman with the tightly curled hair and silver-rimmed glasses, but Mitzi’s smile widened. She greeted the woman by name.
After Mitzi performed introductions, Keenan stepped back, listening while the woman updated the doctor on her husband’s “amazing” postsurgical progress.
Before the woman interrupted, Keenan had found himself thinking how easily he could get used to this being his life—doing fun activities with Mitzi as well as enjoying the day-to-day. It was just a pipe dream.
Mitzi had made it very clear—and had continued to make it clear—what she wanted