The swan lunged toward Gladys, which made the dog pause. Maggie backpedaled, desperate not to get between Gladys and the swan, until her foot caught on the light string still snaking across the dock.
There was a half second where time slowed: Izzy shrieking her name, the swan’s wings flaring wide like a demonic creature, Maggie’s arms windmilling.
Then she pitched backward off the dock and hit the lake with a spectacular splash.
The water was shockingly cold, searing against her skin.
Maggie surfaced, sputtering, hair plastered to her face, lake water stinging her eyes. Above her, the swan strutted along the dock, honking like it had just won a jousting tournament.
When she pushed the wet strands of her hair from her face and blinked up, the first thing she saw was Pete doubled over, practically crying with laughter, and Izzy right next to her, gasping for air. Both of them were useless — clutching their stomachs, pointing at her like she was the best entertainment.
Gladys looked extremely proud, barking at the edge of the dock. Pete had to grab her collar to keep her from jumping in beside Maggie.
“Oh my god,” Izzy wheezed. “You — you said — snobby goose — and now look at you—” She collapsed against Pete, the two of them shaking.
“Glad I could amuse,” Maggie muttered, coughing up pond water.
From the dock, Danica knelt, reaching her hand out, face caught between worry and trying not to laugh. “Here, come on.”
Kiera appeared beside her, more efficient, already bracing herself to haul Maggie up. Together, the two of them managed to drag her back onto the dock, dripping and indignant.
Maggie tried to stand, but the second she put weight on her left foot, pain shot up her ankle. She gasped in pain and nearly toppled again. She stayed sitting, instead.
“You okay?” Danica asked quickly, hand still steadying her.
“Totally fine,” Maggie said through clenched teeth.
“You can’t even stand,” Kiera pointed out, brows knitting.
“Standing is overrated,” Maggie shot back, forcing a grin. “Really, I’m great. Lake water’s good for the skin. People pay a lot of money for lake water. Very refreshing. Five stars.”
Behind them, Pete was still howling. “That swan has itoutfor us.”
Izzy nodded, tears streaking her cheeks. “It didn’t even hesitate. Straight for the ankles. It knew.”
Gladys got in a few healing licks to Maggie’s cheek. Maggie groaned, clutching Kiera’s arm as Danica bent to examine her. “I’m fine. It’s a mild—” She gasped as Danica touched her ankle. “Inconvenience. Barely a sprain.”
“Barely?” Pete snorted. “You face-planted into the lake.”
Maggie glared at her. “I tripped on the lights. Very different.”
The swan honked again in the distance, as if to saydon’t forget who’s boss.
Maggie shoved wet hair out of her eyes, muttering, “I am not losing a standoff to poultry.”
Pete wiped tears of laughter from her face. “Oh, honey. You already did.”
CHAPTER 28
Gwen
The renderings satin front of her, glossy and triumphant. Whole city blocks reduced to neat rectangles and gleaming glass towers, parks like green stamps, traffic flow modeled in clean arcs. It was supposed to look inevitable. Progress made tangible.
Gwen tugged at the edge of her blazer sleeve, her thumb brushing over the watch Maggie had given her, the one she always wore to big meetings as a kind of lucky talisman. She needed the strength of it now more than ever.
She swallowed hard and said, calmly, “I’m declining.”
The word dropped into the conference room like a stone into a pond.
