She dropped her pole in the grass, put her hands on her hips, and fixed him with a look. “Are you making fun of me right now?”
He looked genuinely puzzled. “Me?”
She glanced around with exaggerated patience. “You see anyone else out here?”
Cole surveyed the empty bank and shrugged. “Doesn’t look like it. I just don’t know why you’d think that.”
She took a step closer. “Just a hunch.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “That’s your reason? A hunch?”
“Keep laughing, Harrison, and you’ll be joining the fish.”
Cole mimicked her stance, hands on hips. “You really think you could put me in there? Have at it.”
She smirked, closing the gap. “Sounds like a challenge.”
He spread his arms wide. “Go for it, darlin’. Show me what you got.”
She grabbed his arms and pulled, but he didn’t budge. She wrapped both hands in his belt and yanked hard enough that he had to plant his feet, shoving and steering him toward the water with everything she had. Before she could get him off balance he caught her by the arms and hoisted her up.
Aftyn shrieked with laughter and instinctively hooked her arms around his neck. “Don’t you dare, Cole Harrison.”
“Why not?” He carried her right to the water’s edge and dangled her over while Ollie circled them, barking. “You can ask the fish about their families.”
She tried to keep a straight face and lost, burying her face against his shoulder, legs wrapping around his waist in panic. He loosened his grip and she relaxed just enough for him to let go entirely.
She hit the water with a splash and came up sputtering, blinking it from her eyes. Cole stood on the bank, laughing.
“You are in so much trouble, Harrison.”
“I’m shaking in my boots.”
“Help me out.” She extended her hand. “And you’d better have dry clothes for me.”
“I’m sure I can find something.” He stepped to the edge and reached down. Aftyn grabbed his hand, braced her feet, and yanked with everything she had. Cole tumbled in with a satisfying splash.
She crawled onto the grass, beaming, as hesurfaced and slicked water from his face.
“Truce?”
She laughed. “For now.”
Cole floated on his back. “Actually, not bad, aside from the water in my boots.” Ollie edged toward the water, looking ready to commit. “No, Ollie.” The dog sat and gave Aftyn a mournful look that made her laugh.
“Soggy ride home.”
Cole pulled himself out and dropped down beside her.
“Let’s head back and dry off. I’ll throw your clothes in the dryer.”
“Only if you don’t mind me sticking around a while.”
He smiled, his gaze dropping briefly to her lips. “I was hoping you would.”
He leaned in, slow and uncertain, then stopped when Ollie growled, hackles rising. Cole was on his feet in an instant, eyes on the tree line.
“Damn.”
