Page 55 of The Woman Who Couldn't Scream
Stag stood and helped her to her feet. “Come on. We’ll take Lacey to the stream and toss her in.”
She dusted her knees. “You’re going to toss my dog into a creek?”
“Naw, she’ll jump in by herself. She’s been in at least eight times today. In between rolling in the slash pile and bumming lunch off the guys. Come on, sweetie.” Thesweetiewas directed at Lacey, not Kateri.
Lacey flung herself into Stag’s arms and looked smugly at Kateri.
Stag headed into the woods. “All the guys adore her. Nifty threatened to steal her, but I told him she was your dog and he shivered and backed away. You inspire fear and awe, Kateri Kwinault.”
“From you?”
“You bet. I was afraid you were only using me for my body.”
He sounded so casual, so amused, and he looked so… so strong and manly.
Ugh.Manly. Who even thought stuff like that anymore? “I’m also using you for your dog-sitting abilities.”High five, Kateri! That was a smooth, noncommittal reply.
“You can use me however you want—as long as it’s forever.”
She stopped cold.
He kept walking, strolling along the shady forest path toward the sound of burbling water. And the way he walked… swaggering like a conceited ass, like he knew she was watching. At the same time, he held her dog against his chest in the most heart-melting…
No. No melting hearts. Kateri needed to remember who he was and that she didn’t entirely trust him. She hurried, and caught them as they reached the swirling pool under a rushing waterfall.
“There you go, sweetheart.” He put Lacey down. “Hop in.”
He only had to tell the little dog once. She clambered onto a fallen log that overhung the pool and leaped, landed with a splash, went under, came up and started swimming upstream, fighting the currents and joyously barking.
“I never knew she liked to swim,” Kateri said.
“Sure.” Stag sat on the log and unlaced his boots. “I figure in high school she was not only the prom queen, she was also the swimming champ and the girl voted most likely to succeed.”
Kateri laughed, because he was so spot-on about Lacey’s doggy personality. And she stared, because after he removed his boots and socks, he stood up and stretched, his long arms extending way up. “What are you doing?”
“It doesn’t get hot here often, but when it does, it’s a steamer. I’m going to cool off.” He waded into the stream and offered his hand. “Want to come in?”
She almost put her hand in his, then common sense caught up with her. “No. No, I, um, I’m on duty and the shit has officially hit the fan.”
“I heard about the tourist. I’m sorry. You deserve a break.” That hand remained steadily outstretched.
She noted that he had a scar across his palm, a deep red mark, and his little finger curled almost into his palm. Seemed like the kind of thing she should have noticed before, but she’d always been involved with his other body parts. Right now, she stared fixedly at that hand. “I wish I could. I can’t. Don’t tempt me.”
The hand clenched, disappeared out of her line of vision. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Out of the corners of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of him falling backward—and the cold splash drenched her, head to toe. “Damn you!” She laughed, and wiped at the water on her uniform. “You are the most—”
“Charming man you’ve ever met?”
“That, too.” She watched him float seemingly without effort and oh, God, it did look refreshing. In more ways than one.
“Lacey’s looking a little more herself.” Stag gestured toward a branch. “Her towel’s hanging over there.”
Kateri took one look. “That’s Lacey’s towel?”
“She was in my car on the new leather seat. She does have dog claws, you know!”
“So you bought her a Barbie beach towel?” She knelt and called her dog.
