An Irresistible Impulse by Barbara Delinsky

kitchen putting refills of food on the long buffet table, grinning radiantly at everyone, her cheeks flushed with pleasure.
    “What’s this about designing skiwear? I think you’ve found your calling here,” Abby whispered while Patsy dispensed the carrot coleslaw.
    Patsy’s eyes glowed. “You should only know.”
    “But aren’t you going to eat anything yourself?”
    “Oh…I’ll catch something in a couple of minutes.”
    “Patsy…” Abby eyed her suspiciously.
    “This is fun!” the other replied happily. “I’m really glad we came.” Then she lowered her voice. “Now, if you’ll move on Miss Barnes so these other poor folk can get some food…”
    Finding Patsy’s effervescence contagious, Abby had moved on and enjoyed the meal. When it was over, though, she set out by herself toward the waterside. It wasn’t enough to be sated by food and pleasant company. There was still Ben.
    “Come on, Abby. Let’s take a ride.”
    She whirled around in time to see the man of the moment capture her hand. “A ride? What kind of ride?”
    “A canoe ride. Why don’t we take oneout?” He’d asked her, yet she sensed he’d made a statement. Though he was outwardly his charming self, there was a thread of intensity just below the surface that suggested he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
    “Isn’t…isn’t it getting kind of late?”
    “We’ve still got close to an hour.”
    “But it’s getting dark.”
    His lips curved into a lopsided smile. “What’s wrong, Abby? Never been canoeing before?”
    “Of course I’ve been canoeing. Not for years…but I’m sure I can still handle a paddle.”
    “Are…you afraid of me?” he asked, his voice lowered but bearing that same challenge she’d heard in it before.
    “Not on your life,” she exclaimed. Actually it was her own response to him that frightened her.
    “Then let’s go.” Without further word, he led her to the place where several canoes were beached. “We’d better leave our shoes here,” he said, waiting until they’d both done as much before resuming command. Easing the canoe into the water, he held it while she settled into its bow, then waded into the water far enough to free the craft from the sand and hop into its stern.
    Then they were off, gliding through the mirror stillness of the water toward the farside of the lake. “Are you sure this is okay?” she called over her shoulder. “Won’t they worry that we’ll get away?” There was something delightfully free about slipping through the water as smoothly and sound-lessly as they were doing.
    Ben chuckled. “You can be sure we’re under surveillance, but then, that’s their job. I understand there’s a motorboat…just in case.”
    Abby nodded, feeling decidedly light-headed. It was a glorious early evening, with the reds and golds of sunset lingering to strew a vibrant path across the water. The air was still, the only sound the swish of the boat and its paddles as Abby and Ben stroked in tandem. To speak would have been to contaminate nature’s silence; Abby wouldn’t have dreamed of doing it. Besides, she felt safe this way. After all, what could possibly happen in a canoe?…
    With Ben’s stronger paddle setting their direction, they cut across the center of the lake before veering to the right and returning by a route that hugged the shore more closely. The shadows had grown deeper now, those spatters of red and golds having given way to the blues and purples of dusk. Seeking the last of the light, Ben headed them back toward the center of the lake.
    Abby felt totally at peace. When, at a simultaneousmoment, they stopped paddling to sit still and absorb the serenity, she thought there was nothing more natural. When she felt a jostling of the canoe, however, she twisted quickly around.
    “What are you doing?” she cried out in alarm.
    “Moving up.” Crouched as low as possible, that was exactly what he was doing. Having safely stowed his paddle, he held