907 For Keeps Way (Cherry Falls)

It feels like I’m being punked. Like someone is in the trees with a camera, ready to jump out and make fun of me. There’s no way Dane McDaniels is saying these things to me.

“You know,” he says, “if you would tell me what you’re thinking, it would help me decide what to do going forward.”

My cheeks flush. “It’s just taking me a minute to decide if this moment is real or not.”

He laughs softly.

“Also,” I say, “I’m not sure how you would even have to ask me what I’m thinking. Isn’t that a given?”

His brows pull together. “No. Why would it be?”

“Because every woman in Cherry Falls wants you. You have to know that.”

“This conversation isn’t about them.”

I give him a look. “But you know what I mean.”

“And you know what I mean.” He reaches out and dusts a clump of hair off my forehead. “I don’t care who wants me. I’m only interested in you. And I wouldn’t be telling you this if I wasn’t interested in getting to know you … and only you.”

Did I hit my head when I fell out of the kayak?

“But if you aren’t into that—”

“I am,” I say, cutting him off. The idea of letting this—him—get away from me sets me into a bit of a panic. “I mean, of course I am. You’re … nice.”

He grins, knowing that I don’t just mean nice.

“I’m really not doing this whole flirting thing well, am I?” I ask, the flush in my cheeks worsening.

“You’re doing fine.”

“Great.”

He laughs. “I’ll tell you what. Let me take you out tonight so I can convince you of my intention. And that will give you another chance to up your flirting game.”

“Like … a date?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah.” I gulp, wondering how my palms can be sweaty in the water. “I just, you know, haven’t been on a date since I dated my ex-husband, which was many moons ago.”

A ripple of water streams by us, sending a flurry of goose bumps over my skin.

“I know a little place in Rosewood Ranch Lands that’s fun,” he says.

“Okay.” I smile at him. “But if we’re going on dates—or a date—does this mean I am out of my three days of gym time with you?”

“Ha.”

“It was worth a shot.”

He studies me. “How about this? I’ll incorporate day two into tonight’s date. That way, if you decide you don’t like me, we got two sessions in instead of one?”

As if I’m not going to like him.

He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever known. Far too … everything for me. Yet he wants to take me out on a date? Craziness. It’s probably pointless—just him being kind.

But it might get me out of a training session.

“Deal,” I say.

“Deal.”

His smile fills me with a warmth so intense that I shiver.

“Now let’s float this kayak back to shore,” he says.

I watch his muscles flex as he grabs the end of the kayak, and I can’t decide what I like better—his biceps or his personality. But then I think of his words. His beyond-amazing-I-must-be-dreaming words.

“I’m only interested in you. And I wouldn’t be telling you this if I wasn’t interested in getting to know you … and only you.”

So, either way, I have a date with Dane McDaniels.

What the heck just happened?

Six

Kaylee

“The jade color looks better on her,” Anna says, holding up a bracelet that I didn’t even know I owned.

“Yes, but the gold and pink aren’t as heavy-looking.” Haley holds up a set of bangles that I think I got in high school. “I think they’ll make her look fresh and fun.”

They banter back and forth in front of my jewelry cabinet, adding a charm bracelet into the mix before quickly eliminating it from consideration.

I sit on the edge of my bed and watch them have way too much fun with this … this date.

I’m going out with Dane McDaniels.

Every time it hits me, I wonder if I misheard him. If I did, in fact, hit my head. If I got shocked in the cold water and daydreamed the hot personal trainer asked me out tonight.

How can this be my life?

But on the heels of the memories of falling into the water comes a tidal wave of other visions—things I clearly remember. His smile. His voice. The way his arm brushed against mine.

Pushing the kayak back to the shore. Climbing back in. The conversation about our favorite vacation spots that was inspired by the Salt Life hat on a passing boater as we paddled back to the dock.

It feels like a dream. Dane was so attentive, so thoughtful. He listened like I’ve never known a man to listen. He laughed at my jokes and asked follow-up questions to things I said. I even thought he was going to kiss me just before I headed back to my car.