The Trouble With Fishing

By Miriam Newman

Rob surprises Lena with a trip to help them get to know one another. But hiking and fishing for five days? Lena is a city girl and wants to go home. Rob soon realizes he made a mistake, but it's too late now.

Walker, the fishing guide, hides his amusement at Lena's designer jeans, new boots, and Hollywood sunglasses when he first meets her. But there's something about the short, well-rounded brunette which draws his attention. He knows she's going to be trouble – he just can't imagine how much.

Lena definitely feels the sparks flaring between them. But what about the man she came with?

• Language: English
• Publisher: John R. Vickery
• Release date: Oct 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386489696

Book preview

Chapter One

Lena grabbed hold of the low swinging tree limb as it flew toward her face. Between providing a feast for the bugs, being beaten to death by bushes, and rubbing blisters on her shoulders and heels, she was having a wonderful time – delighted to be here. Not!

Wait until I get Robert alone. If I have any energy left, he's going to get a piece of my mind. What an idiotic way to spend a vacation. Traipsing through the woods so he can throw a string in a river and kill a fish. Why can't he just go to the market and buy a dead fish like everyone else?

Hurry up, Lena. The group's getting pretty far ahead. We need to catch up, Robert called back to her. He says it won't be long now until we make camp.

I'm coming. He says? He says this and he says that. Robert sure seemed taken with their guide. Anyone would think the man was the original Daniel Boone to hear Rob tell it. Wish he'd say the spa is just around the corner. Complete with masseuse and a hot tub.

She slapped another bug off the side of her face and trudged on. It would have been nice to stop a few minutes when she reached Robert, but he took her hand and kept walking.

They finally caught up to the rest of the hikers. A small clearing with four tents and a ring of rocks in the center awaited Lena. She didn't expect the Hilton, but she at least hoped for a cabin. A primitive shower? Maybe an outhouse?

All right, folks. You can take off those packs now. We're camping here for the night. We'll hike to the river for fishing in the morning. Ladies, you'll be in those two tents and gents in these two. Walker shrugged off his over-sized pack to begin taking out supplies. We'll need firewood. Everyone helps. Don't wander off too far and don't bother any wildlife.

Robert slid out of his backpack then helped Lena with hers as she stood there gaping at the accommodations.

She groaned in relief as the straps slid off the grooves dug into her poor abused shoulders. She sat down to untie her hiking boots.

You heard Walker. We need to help gather wood for the fire. Come on, Lena.

But Lena couldn't hold back her irritation any longer. How much did you shell out for this vacation, Rob? I think it was enough so I shouldn't have to pick up sticks to make a fire. Let the guide do it. My feet hurt and I'm tired.

Robert took in the mulish expression on her normally pretty face. He started out expecting this wilderness experience to bring them closer together. Instead, he discovered they didn't have much in common. Not that Lena complained too much. She'd been a pretty good sport until now. He had surprised her with their destination, after all. He didn't exactly know when it began to dawn on him that she preferred bright lights and creature comforts to roughing it. Rob really liked her, but he could already tell their relationship wouldn't go much farther – especially after this goof up.

You rest, he offered. I'll pick up your share too. I got you into this.

Lena sighed as she retied her boot. No, I'll help if that's the way this works. No one is going to call me a slacker.

Chapter Two

Walker watched the short brunette with the slightly large rump take her boyfriend's hand and allow him to pull her up. A half-smile tugged at the guide's mouth. The cute little baggage screamed trouble. He'd known it when she walked up to the check-in point wearing Hollywood sunglasses, brand new hiking boots, and snug designer jeans. She'd struggled to keep up