Page 51 of The Christmas Holiday
‘Yes.’
‘Hiking, zip lining, white-water rafting, bungee jumping—’
‘I said I remember. What’s your point?’
‘My point is you’re not exactly Dora the Explorer.’
‘What?’
‘You’ve never really been the outdoorsy type, Mia. Some of this stuff—’
‘You don’t think I’m up to it, do you?’
‘That’s not what I was saying.’
‘It sounds likethat’s exactly what you’re saying. And don’t you dare tell those two I didn’t know! Do you understand?’ I was close to him now and jabbing my finger in his chest as I issued my warning. He held my eyes a moment before dropping his gaze to my finger. Wrapping his hand around it, and consequently enclosing practically my entire hand within his own, he gently pushed it down.
‘You have reallybony fingers.’
I opened my mouth to say something.
‘Don’t worry. I’m not going to say anything. But you shouldn’t feel you have to do something if you don’t want to, just because you got dropped in it.’
I pulled my hand away from his. ‘I never said I didn’t want to do any of it. I was just... surprised to find I’m going to get the chance.’
‘Yeah. Remember a few minutes ago whenI said I know when you’re not telling the truth?’
I glared at him.
‘I still have that skill.’
‘Then I guess you’re not as skilful as you think you are.’ With that, I pushed past him and walked to the shore where two double kayaks were lined up, and another single one ready for our guide. Sandeep and Liv were getting into one of the double ones and I was staring at the other one asexcitement and nerves tumbled in my stomach. Just across the water, a manatee blew out a plume of water and a big grin spread over my face at the thought that I was now going to get even closer to them.
‘You forgot this.’ Hunter handed the lifejacket to me, emphasising the middle word as he did so.
‘Oh, so I did. Whoops!’ I smiled at the guide. ‘Hopefully won’t need it anyway.’
‘Alwaysbest to be prepared,’ he grinned back. He was actually kind of cute. I’d been expecting some backwater, bearded buddy but Marty was tall, broad, tanned and, well, really rather fit.
‘Here you go, ma’am,’ he said, steadying my hand as I climbed into the kayak. It swayed a little on the water as I did so and I hurriedly sat down, making Marty smile. ‘Don’t worry. You’re going to be just fine.’
‘Yep. Thanks, mate. I think we’ve got it,’ Hunter declared as he got in, rocking the narrow boat a lot more than I had.
‘Hunter!’
‘Mia. It’s on the water. It’s going to rock. You’re in a few inches of water. I don’t think you’re in any danger.’
I narrowed my eyes at him, a colourful collection of words forming in my head. Hoping to prevent the release of them into the wild, I smiledat him instead.
‘I didn’t think I was in any danger. But it might be good if you could be less of a great lummox moving about. If that’s at all possible.’ I gave him a sweet smile and he gave me a look like he wanted to use me as alligator bait.
‘OK. Everybody ready?’ Marty called out as he expertly slid into his own kayak and pushed out into deeper waters.
Apparently, we were allready. Admittedly, some of us more than others, but if enthusiasm counted, then I was right up there with everyone else.
‘So, Mia, just move your paddle like this.’ Marty glided over to me and gave a quick demonstration of a smoother alternative to the slightly haphazard one I was currently employing, which had resulted in my already being surrounded by a small puddle of water.
A shortwhile later, Hunter glanced back at me. Immediately, my rhythm disappeared and I clonked him on the shoulder with the paddle.
