Page 60 of Holding Ground

At least this time I know she’s going to leave. It won’t be a surprise like everyone who left me before her.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Emelia

My hair whips behind me as the boat skips across the water. It’s nearing the end of September, and though it’s a relatively warm day for this time of year, it doesn’t feel that way when the wind is flying right at us. I’m warm, though, because Elliott brought me a warm, furry blanket to wrap around myself.

The sun glistens over the deep-blue water that reflects the tall evergreens on the shore.

I inhale deeply and tilt my face up to the sun. I can’t remember the last time I felt as relaxed as I do now. All my work stresses and the concerns about finding out more information about my birth mother feel a million miles away. I’m not sure if it’s being out here on the water or if it’s the man beside me at the wheel.

He’s standing behind the steering wheel of the boat with a backward baseball hat, a gray hoodie, and jeans. Somehow, he looks a hundred times hotter than any of the guys I’ve been on dates with in Boston, the ones who pride themselves on their expensive dress pants and shirts.

Elliott glances at me and smiles. “You good?” He speaks loudly enough that I can hear him over the boat’s engine and the wind rushing past my ears.

“Yup.” I nod vigorously so that he knows I’m enjoying myself, even if my hair keeps whipping me in the face.

He nods and turns back to the lake.

He’s completely in his element on the water, steering the boat to our destination. There’s something about a free afternoon and fresh air, I suppose.

“We’re almost there,” he says a few minutes later.

He slows the boat, and I stand to get a better view over the console and the front of the boat. The lake curves dramatically ahead of us, obscuring my view.

“This is Dead Man’s Curve.” He points ahead.

“I can see why.”

Elliott slows the boat even more as we approach the curve. Rather than the regular shoreline, jagged rocks rise at the edge of the water. He maneuvers the boat around the curve, and my mouth drops open when we clear it.

The jagged rock on the side of the lake keeps rising on both sides until it’s more than fifty feet above us. The boat moves slowly closer until we’re almost surrounded by the natural curve of the rock.

“Wow.”

Elliott smiles. “Let me put the anchor down.”

While he’s busy, I marvel at the natural beauty around me.

When he’s done, he cuts the engine and sets his hands on his hips. “What do you think?”

“This is so cool. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“We used to come here during the summer in high school to make out.”

I laugh, looking behind us to where the narrow opening is. “It’s a good spot for it. Not much of an audience unless someone is all the way up there.” I point to the top of the rocks, where all that can be seen are mature trees.

“Not worried that I brought you out here to make out with you?” He steps closer to me while the boat bobs gently.

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

He tugs me by the waist of my jeans. I go willingly.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.” Gripping the back of my head, Elliott brings his mouth to mine.

The effect he has on me is immediate. The blanket drops behind me, and I place both hands on his chest. I’m no longer thinking about how beautiful the scenery is or how relaxed my body is. Now I’m wound up.