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While I wiped down the countertops and swept the floors, I spied Ethan through the window, lugging huge logs from the forest edge to an open area in front of the cabin. I’d never been into lumberjacks before, but watching him split wood did something to my insides.
Whether it was the building humidity from the approaching storm, or the memory of those muscular arms wrapped around my waist as he slammed into me, my body was on fire. And once he tore off his top to rub it over his sweaty face, I could take no more. I whipped off my summer dress, burst outside and ran down to the old pier where I launched myself into the lake.
My skimpy white bathing suit barely covered my ass, and by the look on Ethan’s face when I resurfaced, he’d definitely noticed.
“How’s the water?!” he called out before piling the split wood against the cabin.
I floated backward, watching the sky rapidly darken. “It’s amazing!”
He grinned as he watched before racing down the pier and bombing into the water.
I squeaked as water sprayed in every direction.
“Oh, wow. It really is amazing,” Ethan uttered as he flicked his hair back. “I’ve forgotten how much fun it is up here in the summer.”
We quietly waded through the water, circling each other at a safe distance.
“That storm is getting closer,” Ethan said, studying the dark clouds rolling toward us like Armageddon.
Dread filled my belly. “Hopefully Flynn doesn’t get caught up in it.”
“He’ll be fine, Daise. He’s a safer driver than you.”
My tension eased somewhat because Ethan was right. Since my parents’ accident, he never took risks on the road. “Do you think we’ll have much power tonight?”
“The generator only has one solar panel now, but hopefully we’ll have enough to warm up our dinner.”
Anxiety trickled in. “That’s it?”
“I bought a couple of flashlights and candles at the gas station, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Oh, I’m not worried,” I lied.
“Daisy…I’ve known you for ten years, and you’ve never once slept without a night light.”
My gaze narrowed. Was he teasing me? Or did he actually care?
“What?” he asked when I said nothing.
I shook my head, exasperated. “You’ve been very unpredictable lately.”
“Says you.”
“Yeah, but I have a reason.”
“What makes you think I don’t?” Annoyance flickered over his expression as he waded to the water’s edge and crawled onto the grassy bank. Throughout our teenage years, he’d sit in that same spot, pulling every wild daisy within reach. He’d tear off their petals one by one, then throw the stalks at me with a scowl. I never understood why, but I’d grown to hate daisies because of it.
“Is it really over between you and Vance?” he asked, throwing the stalk into the water instead of at me for once.
“Of course it is.” His question perplexed me. “Going to his office that night was my last-ditch effort to rekindle what I hoped we were, but he just made it a lot easier to let go.” I winced at my weakness. “I don’t like change, even when I need it.”
“So, you were thinking about breaking up with him…before we…?” His voice tapered off, clearly not knowing how to define what had happened between us.
“My heart was never fully invested, and I think Vance sensed that. He deserved better.”
“Better than you?” Ethan scoffed before picking another flower. “I highly doubt that.”
I rolled my eyes as I climbed out of the lake. “You’re family, you have to say that.”
