They all slipped on sandals and abandoned the cabin for the pebbled beach. The sun was warm on Aelin’s skin as they walked down to the dock. The lake stretched out before them, so dark blue, it felt as if it would stain. Aelin felt a rush of nostalgia as Amaya pointed to the shallows.
"There’s fish!"
Bailey grabbed her hand. “That's a minnow. They like to swim close to shore. There are so many more over there."
The girls ran across the beach, their laughter echoing across the water. Aelin followed at a slower pace, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. The dock creaked under her feet, and she breathed in the scent of pine and humidity.
Amaya and Bailey waded into the shallows, and Aelin sat on the edge of the dock. She dipped her feet into the water and took off her T-shirt. The water was still a bit chilly. She’d have to put on her big girl panties to dive in and ski.
Aelin leaned back on her hands, letting the sun soak into her skin. She closed her eyes and listened to the gentle lapping of the waves against the dock. It was so peaceful here. So different from the constant hum of the city.
"Mom, come in!" Bailey called, and Aelin opened her eyes. Both girls were up to their knees in water, splashing each other.
"Okay, okay." Aelin stood and walked back up the dock and onto the beach, dropping her sandals in the rocks. She gasped as the cold hit her, but she forced herself to keep going until she was waist-deep.
The girls seemed elated at her obvious discomfort. Aelin couldn't help but laugh with them. Aelin trailed her fingers across the surface. The sky was a brilliant blue with only a few wispy clouds drifting by.
Her skin prickled, and she turned. Ryan stood on the dock, holding the grocery sacks, his eyes locked on her.
Aelin curled her toes against the rocks. He’d seen her in a towel, but with him watching her like that, she had never felt more naked. Especially since the water was cold.
Ryan gave a small wave and turned back to the cabin. Aelin waited for her heart to jump start.
“Mom, look!” Bailey ran up the beach, holding something out. “I found the perfect wishing stone.”
Aelin inspected it. The rock was grey with a white line etched in a perfect, unbroken circle. “Wow, yes you did. What are you going to wish for?”
Bailey scoffed. “I can’t tell you.”
Amaya picked her way across the beach, and Bailey showed her the rock, instructing her on how to find one for herself. Then Bailey walked to the edge of the lake, clutched the rock to her chest and closed her eyes, then threw it out into the water. Whatshe wouldn’t have given to listen in on her daughter’s thoughts for just a moment.
She let the girls play for another twenty minutes, then brought them up to dry off and get ready for dinner when her mom texted saying they were getting the fire started.
Ryan had already put the food away by the time Aelin and the girls were back from the water. He'd also taken his suitcase into the bedroom. She wanted to walk in and see what his clothes looked like next to hers. What products he used in his hair and on his body.
“Hey.”
Aelin jumped at the sound of Ryan’s voice, nearly dropping the glass she’d pulled from the cupboard. She clutched it to her chest and turned.
Ryan leaned against the fridge. “Anything I can do to help with dinner?”
Aelin glanced at the buns now sitting on the counter. “We just need to bring these down to the fire pit. My parents have the hot dogs.”
He nodded, and his eyes dropped a fraction. “Are you going to change?”
“You don’t think this is good dinner attire?” She looked down at her bikini.
Ryan’s neck turned pink. “I was wondering if I needed to get on my suit. If you were going to swim again.”
The corner of her mouth lifted. “I’m done. The girls may still want to get in.” She walked toward the bedroom and slid past him, her body all too aware of how little space there was between them. “I’ll be right back.”
Aelin changed into shorts and a hoodie, and the four of them walked down to the fire pit between their cabins. They’d rented out the whole place, and this was precisely why they’d chosen these cabins over the other options around the lake. It was private without paying a premium price for a massive house.
Her parents were there, hauling out chairs and a cooler. "There you are!" her mom called. "We were about to send out a search party."
Aelin grinned. "We were just getting settled."
Her dad stood and walked over to the picnic table next to the fire pit. "I started the fire, but you can take over from here if you want.” He clapped Ryan on the shoulder.
