"Summer" is what I called her then and still do . . . in my dreams.

I met her in the late afternoon of a beautiful summer day. After working all morning cleaning the three cabins my father owned, I'd rewarded myself by doing what I loved best: fishing in one of Tahoe's least known coves.

Stooped over the end of the dock, I was trying to net a sizable trout I'd reeled in when I heard a shout.

"Catch anything?'

Startled, I looked up to see a goddess walking barefoot across the small rocky beach toward me. The fish paid her no mind, but jumped three feet out of the water, flipped, and broke the line. I could only gawk--at her, at my limp line, back at her.

She approached laughing. "I suppose you'll blame me for the one who got away."

Bedazzled by her beauty, I couldn't speak until she climbed up the dock's three stairs and took a step toward me.

"Don't!"

She stopped.

I pointed at the weather-beaten wood. "Slivers."

"Thank you, but where--?" She glanced about for a safe spot to stand.

Impulsively, I dropped my pole and yanked off my t-shirt. I threw it by her feet.

"A true knight!" A smile broke wide. Blue eyes shimmered.

I could only stare at perhaps the loveliest face I've ever seen, framed by golden hair pulled back from small ears into a pony-tail. My gaze strayed to her slender figure garbed in a white sundress so sheer I could see the silhouette of her perfect hips. The bodice enhanced small breasts.

She seemed to delight in posing.

"Do you have a name, Sir Knight?"

I grinned. "Pete Johnson."

She glanced at her pale arms. "I envy your tan."

"You'll brown soon if you stay long enough. You renting that cabin?"
I pointed at the steep bluff directly behind us where a window peeked amidst the pines.

When she shook her head, her pony-tail spun and my heart thumped. Mesmerized, I took a few steps toward her.

"I don't bite."

Her eyes, that smile beckoned me further.

I stopped just short of my shirt. "Who are you?"

"Just a girl . . . walking."

"Like some company?"

"Yes, I'd like that."

I grinned. "Wanna fish?"

"I don't know how."

"Walk along those wet boards and I'll show you what to do."

Moments later we stood at the end of the dock. I'd exchanged my pole for my shirt. She watched carefully as I showed her how to bait the hook and cast.

I only had one pole, so as she cast her line and slowly reeled it in, I watched. She smiled and giggled the first times, but her excitement waned quickly.

"Bor-ing." She smirked and gave me back my pole.

"Let's try that spot closer to shore," I said and sent the line whirling toward an eddy shadowed by a tall juniper at the water's edge.

Seconds later I had a strike.

"Here!" I gave her back the pole. "Reel it in."

"Yes!" she laughed.

The fish gave her a fight, but didn't win. I netted it, then placed the trophy in her arms.

Suddenly, her eyes glistened with tears.

"Do you think it's the one you lost?"

"M--maybe." I was confused.

"Release it . . . please, Peter."

When I did, she rushed into my arms and kissed me.

"I've never kissed a stranger before. Who are you?"

"Call me what you will, Sir Knight . . . then release me, too."

Her spectacular smile reappeared.

"You , m'lady, are . . . Summer."

Reluctantly, I let her go.