Page 94 of Blue Jean Summer

“Dorothy has been wonderful company. And she found her moo today.”

But Hayes didn’t latch on to the quick conversation pivot. He cradled the back of my head and studied my eyes with concern weighing in his. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure. But how did you know he was here?”

“I didn’t,” Hayes said. “I needed to stretch my legs, so I walked up here to help you load the oven before you got it in your head that you had to do it yourself. I don’t want you getting hurt. There are plenty of people around to help you with all this.” He sighed. “I’m starting to think that we need cameras at the gates and here at the cabin.”

My head snapped up, our eyes meeting. “Hayes, there have never been cameras on the estate.”

“The stables have cameras so owners can check on their horses twenty-four seven.”

“You know what I mean. Your granddad welcomed anyone to the estate. He wouldn’t want cameras all over the place.”

“That was before Lewis was out for blood. I’m not risking your safety just because he’s family. No one gets a pass when it comes to you.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “And since he’s back, we should probably stay in the same room,” Hayes said bluntly.

My heart skipped because it meant sleeping together again but sank when I realized it was simply out of necessity. “Yeah. That’s fine. Probably smart.”

“Come on,” Hayes said, moving to the oven without a second thought. “Let’s get this loaded up so Mason can haul the trailer away and get Dorothy back to the stables.”

—

I tiptoed through the thick tree line and low shrubs, disappearing from sight as I neared the pond. A day of labor in the blistering June heat made my muscles ache. I could have soaked in the bath with some Epsom salts, but that would have meant encroaching on Hayes while he moved his things into my room after dinner.

I dropped my backpack and stood at the water’s edge for a moment, taking in the serenity. I was going to miss this when I had to leave.

I unfolded the blanket that I’d carried down, stretched out on my stomach, and grabbed a paperback I had stolen from Hallie.

The crickets sang a summer serenade as I thumbed through the pages. Evening light danced through the tree branches. My arms ached as I propped myself up on my elbows. I rolled to my back and held the book over my face, but the ache was still there. I liked to think I was in great shape, but damn. One afternoon of emptying a cabin and I was done for.

I abandoned the book, closed my eyes, and simply enjoyed the peace and quiet.

My lower back started to ache. The peace was completely shattered by an incessant throb in my shoulder blades.

The water looked pristine. A quick swim would take the pressure off my muscles and joints, but I really didn’t feel like trekking all the way back to the estate house for a swimsuit.

I glanced at the tree line. It was impossible to see through it. Levi was out of town. Mason had gone home for the night. Hallie and Zach were getting dinner in town. Lewis wouldn’t be caught dead experiencing the great outdoors.

I took off my shirt and shorts. But walking back to the house in a soaked bra and underwear would be gross…

Fuck it.

I stripped down to my birthday suit and jumped into the pond before I chickened out. Even though it had been in the nineties for a week straight, the mountain stream that fed into the shrouded pond was a full-body ice bath.

Once I adjusted to the temperature, I closed my eyes and floated on my back as the tension from the last few hours melted away.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

I shrieked, splashing in the water as Hayes snuck through the trees. His devious chuckle sent a tingle of excitement zipping down my spine.

“Don’t mind me,” Hayes teased, crossing his arms as he stood at the water’s edge. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.”

Since he was in a cheeky mood, I decided to match him tit for tat. I floated on my back, letting my breasts peek out of the surface. “You could join me, you know.”

“I’m still in my work clothes,” he countered.

“Come on, Hayes,” I begged. “You’re clocked out for the day. Enjoy it.”

“I’m enjoying the view. A lot.”