“I’m not sure about that,” Kate says warily, squinting in the direction of the two. She’s sitting on the dock, her legs dangling over the edge, her toes dipped into the water. Kate nibbles at her lower lip, her attention returning to me. “Truth?”
“Always,” I say instantly, moving closer toward her. So close that I’m standing between her legs, my hands leaning against the dock on either side of her.
“I’ve never swum in anything other than a pool.”
“What?” I ask, surprised.
“I know,” Kate groans loudly, burrowing her head in her hands.
“Don’t hide from me, Kitty.” I pull her hands away gently and find her pink cheeks.
“Our mom never took us swimming, and the one time I did go, it was for a birthday party for one of the girls in my class. To say it was a disaster would be an understatement.”
“So you don’t know how to swim?”
“I can manage.” There is a slight pause as she looks away. “Probably.”
I shake my head, not knowing what to say. “What about you, Little Adams?” I ask, turning my attention to the other sister. She’s been quiet so far, sitting by Kate’s side and petting Henry, who’s lying next to her.
She shakes her head. “I never learned.”
“I honestly don’t know what to say.” I’m completely baffled. They never learned how to swim? For real? I still remembered those summer days when my dad took me riding with him, and we’d eventually end up at the pond.
“Don’t worry, we won’t go drowning on your land or anything like that,” Kate says teasingly. Or at least I hope she’s teasing.
“Nobody’s drowning on my watch.” Especially not her. Just the thought of anything happening to her sends chills running down my spine. “I could teach you.”
“Teach me what?” Her brows furrow. “How to swim?”
“Yeah.”
Or anything else you’d like me to teach you. Even better if it involves my hands on you. Or my mouth.
“Like right now?” Kate looks around, her eyes wide.
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Or we could do it another day.”
When it’s just her and me.
Kate nods in agreement. “Another day sounds like a plan.”
I hold her gaze, wanting her to know I’m serious. “I’ll hold you to it.”
Kate’s throat bobs as she swallows. “Okay.”
“Okay,” I say, smiling.
I was surprised when I saw them come, not sure why exactly. I should have known Becky would take it upon herself to invite Kate. Hell, I wanted her here. I just didn’t know how to ask, not after the debacle that happened earlier.
I hate this tension that has grown between us in the last few days, and what for? I know Kate is closed off and doesn’t trust easily. And what was the first thing I did when it was directed at me? I ran, pissed off at her.
“What are you two grinning at?” Becky asks as she swims next to me.
“Just talkin’.” I raise my brow at Kate but she just shakes her head.
“Mm-hmm…”
Reluctantly, I turn away, giving my attention to Becky. “What about you? Done playing?”
“Yup, I want to get dry before the sun goes down.”
Becky places her palms on the dock and hoists herself up.
“Hey, Emmett?” Penny asks softly, so softly, I almost don’t hear her.
“What’s up, Pen?”
She’s looking out toward the pond and fussing with the tip of her braid nervously.
“Becky told me you have horses on the ranch.”
Kate groans. “Penny…”
I glance quickly at Kate, and then turn back to her sister. “Sure, we do. Why?”
“Could I meet them?”
“Emmett has friends here, Penny, he can’t just—”
“It’s not a problem.” I wave Kate off. “Wanna go now?”
Penny beams at me, her smile so bright it’s almost blinding. “Really?”
What is it about these Adams girls, really? Just one smile, and a guy doesn’t stand a chance.
“Sure thing.” Pulling away from Kate, I move so I can also get out of the water. I can feel Kate’s eyes on me as I push out of the pond and get on the dock. “Mind if I borrow your towel?” I ask her, already grabbing it.
“N-nope.”
“Thanks.” I wipe my face with it and throw it over my shoulder. “You coming, Penny?”
She gets to her feet, and Henry follows her in tow. “Yes!”
“You wanna come too, Kate?”
“She’ll stay with me. I need somebody to prevent me from killing Miguel,” Becky says before Kate can even open her mouth.
“I thought you guys are good.”
“That can change pretty quickly,” she mutters, glaring at the pond, where Miguel is flirting with one of the girls.
“You guys are so fucked up.” I shake my head. “C’mon, Penny, let’s get out of here.”
Kate grabs my hand before I can take a step. I look down at her, hoping that maybe she changed her mind. “Take care of her, okay?” she asks softly, so only I can hear it.
I nod. “Of course.”
“His hair is so rough,” Penny says, running her hand down the animal’s neck. He shies under her gentle touch.
“Shh…” I soothe quietly, gripping the reins tighter. The horse’s brown eyes stare at mine, and he doesn’t look the least bit amused. Not that I can blame him. “Good boy.”
“What’s his name?”
“Thunder.” His ears perk at the sound of his name. “He’s an Appaloosa. We’ve been buddies since he was a foal. We grew up together in a way, right boy?”
Thunder lifts his head and huffs, which has me rolling my eyes. Sometimes he acts like he’s the freaking king of the stables.
“Did you ride him when he was a baby too?”
“Sure did. When you grow up on a ranch like this, you learn how to ride before you can even walk. Do you want to give him a carrot?”
Penny tilts her head toward me, her whole face lighting up. “Can I?”
“Sure thing, here.” I grab the carrot from my back pocket and hand it to Penny. Thunder’s greedy eyes follow the exchange. Penny’s slender fingers carefully wrap around the vegetable as she takes it from me.
“Will he bite me?” she asks, looking unsure, those big blue eyes of hers that remind me so much of her sister turning to me for reassurance.
“Nah, just be…”
But before I manage to warn her, Thunder’s already stealing the carrot from her, munching on it happily.
“He’s one greedy bastard,” I say, glaring at him. “But don’t worry, he won’t hurt you.”
Once he’s done chewing, Penny extends her hands toward Thunder, carefully examining his face. I’m not sure if he can sense something’s different about her, but he isn’t as fussy and stubborn with her as he usually is.
“You’re a pretty boy, aren’t you?” she coos.
Thunder extends his neck as her fingers run through his mane. He leans forward, his brown eyes staring directly into her face. My body tenses. Rationally, I know he won’t hurt her. Thunder might be stubborn to the point of being an asshole, but he never ever did anything to hurt me or anybody else. Still, a part of me can’t help but worry. Penelope Adams is the sweetest person I’ve ever met. There is this gentleness to her that draws you in, and you can’t help but fall for her, if only a little bit. And I’m not talking about a romantic kind of falling either. No, she isn’t the Adams sister who evokes those kinds of feelings in me; these are more of a protective, brotherly variety.