Page 61 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

“Maybe that can be your fallback career if the whole entrepreneur thing tanks.”

God, this woman. “Maybe.”

Barney bounds back to us and drops the Frisbee at Ellie’s feet. “Good boy,” I say, giving him a treat.

Ellie picks up the Frisbee, squares her shoulders, and sends it flying—straight into a bush. Barney dashes after it.

“Impressive,” I say, biting back a laugh.

“Shut up,” she says playfully. “I haven’t played since college.”

Barney trots back with the Frisbee, and she takes it from him, ruffling his fur. “Good boy.”

“Want me to teach you how to throw?”

“Are you willing to risk getting close to a woman holding a projectile?” She waves the Frisbee, and Barney’s head tracks every move.

“I very much enjoyed being close to you when you were holding my projectile.”

“Seth!” The blush rising on her cheeks is worth the scolding.

“You asked,” I say innocently, and glance at Barney, who is eagerly awaiting the throw. “Hold tight, bud. This won’t take long.”

I move behind Ellie, sliding my arms around her waist. “Relax, sweetheart.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a deliciously hard-bodied man pressed against your back.”

I grin against her ear. “Focus, Nunnally.”

“I am,” she insists, then quieter, “Just not on the Frisbee.”

Barney barks like he’s calling her out.

I give her a squeeze and say, “Barney says stop thinking about getting me naked and pay attention.”

“Fine. What did I do wrong?”

I wrap my hand around hers and say, “Unlike this morning, you let go too soon.”

“That’s really helping me focus.”

We both laugh.

Barney’s tracking the disc in our hands with bated breath, so I force myself to be serious. “You’ve got a good grip, but put your index finger along the edge of the disc.” I show her how to choose a target, set her feet, and the mechanics of throwing, and then step back and say, “Okay, give it a try.”

“Proper stance? You really do analyze everything,” she says.

“I like to master things.”

Mischief sparks in her eyes. “Well, you’ve done a good job in the bedroom.”

I chuckle as she takes aim and lets the Frisbee fly. It cuts to the right. Barney takes off after it like a rocket, and my beautiful girl laughs at herself.

She throws it a few more times, and Barney is happy to go after each of her failed attempts. Then we take turns, throwing and running with Barney, stealing breathless kisses in between, and laughing more than I ever have.

When Ellie takes her next turn, I whip out my phone, wanting to remember everything about our day, and move farther out in the field.

“Planning on selling that to a blooper show?” she hollers, petting Barney.