Whitewater Rendezvous

convinced that Megan had something against her personally. It was like last night’s dinner back at the lodge. Around absolutely everyone else, she was fi ne. Relaxed. Talkative. But the moment I get within earshotshe goes all quiet. And she seems to go out of her way to avoid sittingclose to me or interacting with me in any way.

She tried to tell herself it shouldn’t matter as long as Megan was enjoying herself, which she evidently was. But her pep talks to herself weren’t helping. Megan’s behavior was starting to really drive her crazy. Got to fi nd some way to get her to warm up to me.

The clients turned in early, beat from the day’s exertions. Elise gave massages to Pat and Linda in their tent after much pleading and begging, but all was quiet about the campsite by nine thirty. Feeling restless, Chaz climbed a nearby hill and sat with a cup of decaf, watching the landscape turn pink in the alpenglow effect of the midnight sun.

She thought Sally had also retired for the night, but her partner guide appeared with a mug of her own and reclined comfortably beside her.

They enjoyed the view for several minutes in companionable silence before Sally spoke. “It’s Megan, isn’t it?” she asked gently.

“Don’t go there.”

“Why is she giving you the big chill?” Sally asked, refusing to be deterred.

Chaz sighed. “Beats me.” There was a long silence. “She did kind of catch me…looking at her…you know, maybe a bit inappropriately…

when I was teaching her how to roll.” She could feel a rush of warmth rise to her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to. And it was only for a few seconds.

I didn’t think much of it then, but maybe she was offended.”

Sally put her arm over her friend’s shoulder. “I doubt very much whether you offended her just by looking at her. What can I do? Extol your virtues to her? In a very subtle way, of course.”

“Subtle? You?” Chaz laughed. “Please, Sally, promise me you won’t say anything.”

Sally withdrew her arm and playfully punched Chaz. “That’s not fair. I can be subtle.”

Chaz laughed harder. “If you say so. But I still want you to promise me you won’t try.”

“All right,” Sally agreed. “But if you change your mind, say the word.”

“I know your heart’s in the right place,” Chaz said. “You’re

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KIM BALDWIN

always trying to play matchmaker, and bless you for that. But don’t meddle in this. I had a momentary lapse in judgment, that’s all. Okay, so she’s attractive. But even if she wasn’t a client, which she is …she is still not my type. We have nothing in common. It just bothers me that she doesn’t seem to like me much.”

“If you say so.” Sally got to her feet. “I’m going to turn in. You coming?”

“Soon,” Chaz answered. “‘Night, Sal. Sleep well.”

“You too. ‘Night.”

We have nothing in common at all. And you apparently can’t standthe sight of me. So why is it, Megan Maxwell, that I can’t stop thinkingabout you?

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