Page 36 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘If you need me, I won’t be far,’ Sera said to Tia, who was practically bursting out of her skin with next-level joy.
‘I won’t need you,’ she said. ‘Have fun. Good luck, Ethan.’
He gave her a warm smile. ‘Thanks, Tia.’
Sera shook her head as the young woman practically melted to the floor.
The road that ran past Sera’s property wasn’t tarred, and though it was hell on a car’s suspension, those who lived in the few houses tucked in the trees along its winding turns seemed to prefer it that way. It kept traffic to a minimum, and the wildlife dotted through the area safe.
Ethan had a backpack strapped to his shoulders, with their sandwiches and two bottles of water inside, along with Sera’s sweatshirt, which he insisted on carrying so she didn’t have to walk with it tied around her waist.
‘And here I was thinking chivalry was dead,’ she quipped, but his simple act had made her insides flutter. She glanced down at Buffy, who was trotting happily between them. ‘There’s a fabulous spot down here. Because the road is such a disaster, it’s mostly only us locals who know about it.’
‘Is that where we’re heading?’ he asked.
‘That’s what I was planning, if you’re up for it.’
‘Lead on, milady,’ he answered in a booming Lord Jasper voice.
When they arrived at the track that would take them into the bush, Sera let Buffy off the leash.
‘Don’t run… off,’ she said, finishing with a sigh as the dog ran off.
‘Does she know where she’s going?’ Ethan asked.
‘Yes. And I walked her this morning, so she’s done her business. Two lots of business, actually. Both substantial.’
‘You talk about shit a lot.’
‘I do not.’ She gave him a playful shove. ‘Okay, maybe I do. It comes with the job.’
‘It makes a nice change from the conversations I’m used to,’ he said. ‘Diet, exercise, who’s styling your look for the next party.’
‘That sounds a lot more interesting than the ins and outs of dog poop.’
‘Mostly outs, I hope.’
She laughed. ‘Unless you’re Toby. Sometimes, it’s the ins for him.’
‘How is the good doctor? Still plotting to send me dogs bigger than my house?’
‘I told you, he meant well.’
‘And I told you,if you say so.’
They made their way over the moss-covered rocks, Ethan easily leaping across them before jumping off a small ledge and landing a level below. He smiled up at Sera, reached out and wrapped his hands around her waist, swinging her through the air and placing her gently beside him.
He bowed with an exaggerated flourish, and an involuntary giggle bubbled from her lips.
‘You sure take this being a fake lord thing seriously,’ she said.
He laughed. ‘If we come across a dragon, I’ve got your back.’
‘Good to know,’ she said, stepping around him so he wouldn’t see the flush filling her cheeks.
When they finally broke through the trees, Ethan blew out a long whistle. A lush patch of green edged a sparkling creek. Gum trees toweredaround them, with low ferns thick across the bush floor, and the sounds of burbling water filled the air, along with the soft crashing from the falls further downstream. Buffy was rolling on her back on the cool grass, the picture of happiness.
‘Holy shit,’ Ethan said. ‘I had no idea this was here.’
