"It's okay," Ellie responded. "I haven't really decided. Maybe when I go back, you can fly out with me and take in the sights."
Sarah beamed. "That would be amazing. But I hope you mean I'm flying you home, not an airplane. Those things make me nervous."
Colton shook his head. "Out of the mouths of babes."
The trip took less than an hour, and they were soon at another old campsite on the shore of a lake. While the brothers unloaded the fishing tackle, and Vinia and Sarah took care of the picnic area, Colton and Ellie walked down to the edge of the lake.
They stood side by side gazing out over the water. Colton breathed in the fresh air, feeling the gentle mist of the morning fog caressing his skin. A bird chirped from a nearby branch announcing the start of a new day. "I love the peace out here."
She laid her head against his shoulder. "Do you come here a lot?"
"Not as much as I'd like to, but I want to change that. It is good for the boys to get away from their responsibilities." He smiled at her. "I keep forgetting that life isn't just about work."
Almost as if they heard him, Tyson ran up behind them, the other two right behind him. "Sorry, Cole. You're too slow."
Ellie glanced at him as his brothers ran down the shoreline. "Too slow for what?"
He moved away from her. "Watch and learn." He took off after them, and in a flash, they all shifted. Like their race up the mountain, this one was laps across the lake and back. This time of year the lake was deserted, so it was the perfect time to cut loose.
As he passed Ellie, he saw her wave but he wasn't entirely sure that she knew which dragon was him. He knew from experience that the four of them made an impressive showing of scaled dragons in various hues of green. When they passed by her again, he blew a little smoke in her direction to help her out.
When he had done his laps, he stopped at Ellie's side and shifted, where he waited for his brothers. Tyson came in next with Drake and Logan close behind him. Tyson was all smiles. "Guess you're not as old as we think you are."
"Never too old to whoop your asses."
Logan handed Ellie a pole while Drake baited her hook. Colton shooed them away. "Give the lady some room. Maybe she'll show you how it's done."
Ellie laughed. "Doubtful." She paid close attention while Colton explained how to cast her line. She turned her head to whisper in his ear. "If you cuddle me like this all the time, I'm going to need a whole bunch of remedial lessons."
He tightened up against her. "Any time, darlin'."
Her first cast, and Ellie caught a large-mouth bass. Tyson shook his head. "I've fished this lake my whole life, and your first cast and you beat my top weight by about three pounds."
"You have to kiss it," Drake informed her.
"Kiss the fish?"
Colton held it up. "It's tradition. You have to kiss your first fish."
Ellie held her breath and leaned in to kiss the cold, slick fish's head. "Now what?"
"Now we put it in the cooler until dinner."
Ellie gasped. "Let me hold my fish for a minute."
Colton smiled and handed it to her. "I'll make you a fisherman yet."
As soon as she had a hold of it, Ellie flipped it back out into the lake. She laughed at the shocked faces. "No one is eating a fish that I've seen alive."
Colton shook his head. "Come on. I want to show you something."
"Are you taking her to see the Queen?" Tyson asked.
Colton nodded. "Yep. We'll be back in a few."
Ellie glanced up at him. "The Queen?"
"You'll see." He shifted and motioned for her to climb on. A short flight later, and they were in a clearing with the largest, most sprawling oak tree she had ever seen.
