Page 21 of Worth the Risk
“Did you put on sunscreen?” I take my pack off and search for the SPF 50 I picked up just for her while she sits on a rock.
“I did actually but I probably missed some spots.”
“I came prepared.”
“You were a boy scout.” I chuckle at that.
“I was but how would you know? I was done with that before you moved.”
“Ohhh Rhett… I have seen pictures. Many pictures. So many badges. It’s honestly a wonder you had time for hockey with all the badge collecting you were doing.” I sit behind her on the rock and rub some of the sunscreen onto her shoulders and down her arms. My tone turns serious.
“Are you making fun of baby Rhett?” A surprise laugh sputters out of her. That’s my favorite laugh of hers, but only second to the one she does when she’s laughing at something she said herself. I feel like I could move the mountain we’re sitting on when I’m the reason she’s laughing like that.
“Oh, no. Never. I’m just telling you how impressive all those badges were.” She snickers.
“I hope that’s the truth.” I warn as I put my pack back on.
“Well…I may have been teasing a little bit.” She admits and I swat her behind.
“You did not just do that.” Her tone sounds threatening but she’s
“I did. Get a move on, Parker. We’re burning daylight and as a former boy scout I can tell you we don’t want to be out here after dark tonight.” She starts giggling but continues on the trail.
“So how is it being Coach Holloway?” Winnie breaks our comfortable silence as we reach the trees.
“Honestly? It’s great. I wasn’t sure how I would feel not being out in the action anymore, but watching those boys work hard and succeed, it’s pretty awesome.”
“I can’t wait for your first game. You’re going to be the best coach. You’ve always been a leader.”
“You never listened to me.”
“I wouldn’t say Ineverlistened to you. You and Colt were just always so bossy because you were older than me and I didn’t think that was a good enough reason to listen to you.” I laugh loudly at that.
“You have always done exactly what you wanted to do. That’s something I’ve always admired about you.”
“Thanks. It’s funny though because I’ve always thought the same of you.”
“I’m not too unaware to say that I haven’t done what I’ve wanted to do in my life, but I would have done whatever you wanted, pretty much at any time over the course of knowing you.” I can see her blush from here.
“That’s not true, Rhett,” she says quietly.
“It is. All you had to do was ask.” She turns her torso to look at me behind her.
“Can I ask you something now?” Her tone is low.
“Anything,” I say as earnestly as I can. She leans closer and slides her sunglasses up on her head to look me in the eyes. Heat licks up my spine.
“How much farther to the lake?” she whispers softly and then throws her head back laughing at herself. Yes, that is my favorite laugh.
“You are such a brat!” I shoulder her stomach and lift her up onto mine as I stand and smack her behind once more. She’s giggling and swatting at me.
“What? It’s hot and I just wanted to know!” I carry her the last few feet till we come to the end of the shade and into the clearing with the lake nestled into the base of the mountains.
“Here.” I state, setting her down. She looks around us, taking in the view.
“It’s really beautiful here.”
“I love this spot. It’s not as well known to the tourists but fairly easy to get to.”
