Chapter 27

• The ride to the lake was broken only by the sound of their bicycle wheels spinning and the occasional bird chirping in the trees. It was a companionable silence as they rode along a narrow path flanked by tall trees with thick brown barks and lush green leaves. The sun shone through the leafy canopy, warming their paths. The warmth, the serenity of the woods, the quiet sound of water ahead and the metallic whirl of both their wheels all combined to heighten the awareness in them.
• Every so often Luca would look over his shoulder at her and smile and Fran would catch his eyes and return it warmly. Sometimes she would increase her speed to pass him on the narrow path so that he didn't get too comfortable thinking he was a better rider than her, and he would laugh and nudge her bike gently.
• And so they went until they broke through the trees to the bank of the lake.