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He squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” A soft smile swept across her face. “Ready to head back?”
“Yeah.” He hadn’t made friends with the lake, but the dark water had released him from its stranglehold.
By the time they pulled the kayaks onto the shore, the sun was sinking in the western sky.
He turned to Beth after stowing the paddles. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.” She threw her arms around him in a triumphant squeeze, then released him just as quickly. Her eyes were bright, and joy curved the corners of her lips.
Those lips… He stared at them, a spark igniting in his core. He didn’t know how much longer he could avoid his feelings.
He wanted to kiss her again. Wanted to take her in his arms and loosen her braid. Run his fingers through her soft hair, let his touch skim across her neck, and kiss her without interruption.
It turned his entire body molten.
She smiled, the kind of gentle, sweet smile that stirred his soul like the first rays of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. The kind that lifted his spirit. Made him feel whole again.
“There’s a staff campfire tonight.” She scooped up her towel. “I can help you at the barn first.”
In that moment, he wanted to be anywhere she’d be. “I’ll pick you up.”
He caught sight of Dylan exiting Wild Harbor and walking toward them. Grayson took a step back.
Don’t hurt her. She’s had enough people bail on her.
He couldn’t turn back the invitation.
Not that he wanted to. But he should. Should pack up and tell Beth she’d have to find someone else to be her head wrangler. Because he was the guy leaving town.
Right? Buying Vincent and Rose’s place. Horses. Kids. Camp.
Except, Deep Haven already had a horse camp in operation—and he’d have a few years before he’d be up and running. He’d have to build a reliable string of horses. That wasn’t going to happen overnight.
He rubbed his hand across his face.
“Sure. I’ll see you tonight,” she said. And the way the breeze lifted her hair and the excitement of their adventure lit her eyes, he couldn’t help but imagine the crazy possibility of staying in Deep Haven.
* * *
Beth staredinto the flames of the camp’s firepit, shivered, and shook away the sense that Grayson had bailed on her.
“Do you want another marshmallow?” Noah held out the bag to her.
Beth shook her head. “Not yet, thanks.”
“I’ll take another chocolate bar,” someone to Beth’s left said.
One of the camp counselors pulled one from the supply box and it was passed around.
Still no Grayson.
No, she hadn’t needed him to pick her up. But when he’d called to say he’d have to meet her later—at the campfire instead of picking her up—she hadn’t realized he meant much later.
She yawned.
The fire popped and the embers lifted into the dark night, then faded.
