Free Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) by Bonnie Blythe Page B

on the Deschutes for an outdoor magazine so
I need to get some shots of the river and the flora and fauna. The
basics.”
    “I’ve never seen the Deschutes River before. What’s it like?”
She tilted her head and subjected him to a speculative gaze.
    Marc eyed her warily. “It’s known primarily for white water
rafting.”
    “How exciting.”
    Trying to dispel the image of Julia as an inquisitive hungry bird and
he, a fat juicy worm, Marc shifted on the loveseat.
    “Are you going alone?” she persisted.
    “Where?”
    “To the river, the town, wherever.”
    “Yes,” he replied. “But I also have a few friends I visit while
I’m there.”
    “Would you like some company?”
    Marc blinked at the boldness of the request. “Excuse me?”
    He looked to Brian and Sara for help. Brian remained stoic and Sara
grinned. “Uh—”
    “I’m not doing anything tomorrow and I’d love to see some of
the area while I’m here. Don’t let me put you on the spot, but
I’d love to go.”
    Marc felt his face grow warm. The thought of spending so much time
undiluted with Julia unnerved him. “I’m staying for the whole
weekend.”
    “Are you going to sleep in a tent?”
    “No, I’ll be staying with friends.”
    “So then, what’s the problem? Surely there are hotels or motels
or whatever around there.”
    He looked at the diminutive figure before him. How could such a
sweetly dominating personality come from such a little person?
    “Yes, there are places to stay. But it’s very rugged. Have you
ever hiked before?”
    “Not really, but I know I could do it. When do we leave?”
    Marc floundered for some excuse to say no, although his heart went in
the opposite direction. “Are you sure you have the right clothing
and gear?”
    “What do I need?”
    He nearly groaned out loud. He suspected the only hiking she’d ever
done was on a stairway when the escalator at the mall was out of
service.
    Sara piped up. “Do you have jeans, hiking boots, thick socks, you
know, stuff like that?”
    Julia touched her chin. “Jeans? Well, no, but surely the town has
some kind of clothing store?”
    “You don’t even own one pair of jeans?” Sara asked, her tone
incredulous. “The only down side of this pregnancy is that I can’t
wear my beloved Levi 501’s!”
    Julia gave a delicate shrug and sent a beseeching look at Marc. He
rubbed his face. “Look, maybe we could do this another time. I’ll
be working and won’t have time to do the tourist thing.”
    When he saw her face fall, he backpedaled. Hard. “Well, if you
really want to—”
    “I do! And I promise I won’t be a bother. I won’t get in your
way at all. Maybe I can even help.”
    Trying to hide the look of deepening regret from his face while his
heart hammered in expectation, Marc stood. “Be ready at six in the
morning.”
    Julia saluted him. He said goodnight to Brian and Sara before going
upstairs.
    He shot a glance over his shoulder and saw Sara rise from the couch
and take Julia by the arm. “C’mon. Maybe I have some things you
could borrow.”

Chapter Nine

    The next morning when Marc descended the stairs, he found Julia
waiting for him. She wore a pink blouse under a black cardigan. Black
pants and sandals completed the improbable outfit.
    Julia smoothed her hair, swept up in a fashionable twist, and bit her
lip. “I’m afraid I don’t have any suitable clothes, but I’m
sure I’ll find something when we get there.”
    Marc had to smile. She looked just fine to him. “I need to pick up
a few things for the class in town so you’ll have time to do a
little shopping.”
    “Thanks again for allowing me to come.”
    Marc heard the slight apology in her tone. He cleared his throat.
“Well then, are you ready?”
    She nodded, picked up her purse, and followed him out to his truck.
    Once out on the open road, he heard her sigh. She seemed content as
she leaned her head back against the seat.
    “This is wonderful. I thought I would go nuts if I