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“You know what?” Carter said. “You’re right. She’s not a screamer. I’ve been squeezed next to Leah on many roller coasters and she hasn’t made a peep.”
Manyroller coasters? How many wasmany?How squeezed wassqueezed? Was The Dude making moves across the chessboard too, trying to claim ownership of Leah?
Dakota shook those thoughts from his head. He had no right to be questioning this guy or his closeness to Leah. If she was more than best friends with Carter, she wouldn’t have kissedhimthe way she had in the park.
Right?
Drawing in a deep breath, Dakota pointed to the trail that led to the zipline on Mount Woodrich. “We have to hike a bit, if that’s okay with you.”
“Fine,” Leah said. “It’s so beautiful out today.”
“Yeah,” Carter agreed. “Nice to be free of the city air. It smells amazing here in Maplehaven.”
Dakota led them onto the trail and they started down the path. “How long are you visiting?”
Carter blew out a breath. “Not sure. I have my computers with me so I can work from anywhere.” He slung an arm around Leah’s shoulders. “I suppose I’ll stay until I’ve driven Leah absolutely nuts.”
“So you’re leaving tonight?” Leah laughed at Carter’s shocked expression, but her comment had delighted Dakota.
“Ouch. And I made you coffee this morning.” Carter put his hands over his heart, which was good because that took his arm off Leah’s shoulders.
“I don’t drink coffee,” Leah pointed out.
Carter waved a hand. “Technicality. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Well, have a thought that I drink tea next time.”
Dakota loved the quick barbs his Leah was zinging at Carter.HisLeah. Yeah, he was going to call her that. At least in his own mind. On a trial basis. Especially with The Dude around.
“I hope you appreciate that sense of humor, Dakota. It’s one of her better qualities, few that they are.” Carter dodged the fist Leah launched toward his shoulder.
“Shut up,” she said. “Dakota is so much nicer than you, Carter. I wouldn’t have this snarky tone of humor with him.” She maneuvered to stand beside Dakota and beamed a sweet smile up at him.
God, he wanted to pull her into the tall ferns bordering the trail and reacquaint himself with her mouth. Her raised eyebrows told him maybe she had the same idea.
“Maybe later,” she whispered, her elbow rubbing up against his arm as Carter walked behind them.
Dakota gave her a quick smile, feeling a little assured that perhaps The Dude knew he and Leah were… something.
After another few minutes of hiking, they came to the ziplining platform at the back of Mount Woodrich. “The colors last weekend were sharper, but there’s still some good foliage to be had here,” Dakota said.
“I haven’t seen this many trees in a while,” Carter said. “Remember that Columbus Day weekend in New Hampshire, Leah? The one where we all went horseback riding?”
Strike and parry. Strike and parry.
“Yeah,” Leah said. “I seem to recall your horse falling in love with you.” She turned to Dakota. “We all went riding. When we were done, we handed the reins back to the owners, but Carter’s horse walked away with us, her nose snuffling in his hair. It took three stable hands to get her back to the barn.”
Carter motioned to himself. “I’m irresistible. What can I say?”
But had Leah resisted him? Were they best friends because they’d tried being more and it hadn’t worked out? Or were they always just friends?
Why was everything with Leah a big question mark?
“Who wants to go first?’ Dakota asked, gesturing to the harness and zipline. He knew who he wanted to go first.
“Maplehaven visitors should go first, don’t you think?” Leah waved an arm indicating that Carter should climb up to the platform.
Good.That would give Dakota a few minutes alone with Leah while Carter was flying through the trees.
