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.Defeated, she lifted the nozzle, circling around the front of Chevy to finish giving her a bath.She glanced at Royce’s retreating figure, and she wasn’t sure what exactly got into her, but suddenly she found herself turning the nozzle toward him.She aimed right at his back and pulled the trigger.His spine went stick straight, and then he slowly spun around.Her heart sped and she gripped the nozzle tighter, not sure whether to break into laughter or run.“Sadie…” he said, his voice dangerously low.“Yes?” she replied in her most innocent tone.Then she went ahead and pulled the trigger again, hitting him square in the chest.He charged, and she squealed, nearly tripping backward over her feet as he rushed toward her.He ate up the distance in a couple of long strides, and as she fought for control of the hose, she was thinking that running would’ve been the right move.Trying to curl herself around the nozzle to keep it out of his hands was no use—Royce was too strong.He pried it from her fingers, pointed it at her, and pulled the trigger.Water pelted her in the chest, and she gasped as it ran down her shirt.“Not so smug now, are we?” Royce said with a chuckle, his finger curling around the trigger again.She held up her hands and took a step back, but instead of taking it as a surrender move, he apparently took it as a sign to let loose the spray again.“Royce!”“Yes?” he said, mimicking her from earlier, while flicking his wrist to make sure the water got her from head to toe.She laughed and swatted the stream back at him, which was mostly ineffective, but at least got him a little wet.Through the sparkling droplets, she saw a victorious grin curve his lips— Oh, he thought he’d won, did he?She dove for the nozzle, grasping it in a death grip.Water continued to spray everywhere as she tried to twist it back to face him.Chevy circled them, nudging them with her nose, until all three of them were dripping wet.That was when Sadie noticed that they’d gathered quite the audience.The teens and Caroline were all staring, jaws slack.Royce’s grip on her and the hose loosened, and he was starting to get that stern, too-serious expression.Worried this was about to turn into a big deal and ruin the happy vibe she’d finally managed to get with him, she grabbed the nozzle from Royce and sprayed Eli.He didn’t miss a beat.He grabbed a bucket, scooped water up from the nearby trough, and tossed it at her.Excited shouts and squeals went up as the water flew and more people jumped in.Before long, every single member of the camp was involved.Alliances formed, the ground became slick with mud, and laughter filled the air.After everyone was beyond soaked, Caroline called the fight, telling everyone to go change and then meet at the barn in twenty for afternoon chores.Sadie reached for Chevy’s bridle to lead her back into the stalls—that was probably more than enough excitement for a pregnant horse in one day.Royce stepped in front of her, quite the sight now that his hair was dripping wet and his clothes were plastered to his skin.“So, tonight we’re gonna build a big fire and have hot dogs and s’mores.It’s a reward for the kids, since they’ve worked so hard.Thought you might want to be there.” He wiped at the dirt that’d gotten on his hat when it’d fallen off in the scuffle.“Unless you’ve got other plans?”“Oh.No.I mean, no other plans.I’ll just go home and change, and then come back?”“Good.” Royce nodded.Then he was off, and she was standing there, fighting the urge to break into another song and dance.…Royce stared at the cloudless evening sky.It wouldn’t be long before the sun was completely gone from the day and the sky was inky black.Growing up, he used to gaze at the stars, listen to the silence, and feel like the only person in the world.Then his parents had started the Alternative Ranch Camp for Youth, the two extra cabins were built, and he’d have to drive or ride out a couple of miles to feel alone.All he’d ever wanted to be was a cowboy.Yes, there were the rodeo competitions, and he’d thought he’d do them longer, but ranching had always been his long-term goal.He wasn’t sure he was very good at running the camp, but he was trying his best, and he had his land and his horses and he was happy with just that.Until Sadie came back, and he’d gone and started missing the way they used to talk.Her smile, the sound of her laugh.The way she challenged him and drove him crazy in every possible way—she was free in a way most people never were.Like with those dance moves and the water fight, turning work into her very own party.Back in high school, they’d drive a few miles from the house and lie in the back of his truck to look at stars.Anyway, that was his pretense for getting her out there.Stargazing was nice and all, but really it was more a chance to be alone with her than talk constellations.And man, had they taken advantage of all that alone time, all those nights under the clear sky.When it was too cold, they’d maneuver around in the cab of his truck, taking it as a fun challenge instead of a hitch in their plans.Desire wound through him, heating his blood.His body remembered her too well, all the ways they used to be perfect for each other.But it hadn’t been enough for her.She’d talked about pursuing a singing career, and he’d always admired her ambition, but he’d thought she could do it from here.With him.He would’ve supported her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]