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Jolie sighed. “I’m glad they didn’t come and that we’re maybe wrong. I don’t want any danger coming to the farm. But I also wish it was over and done with.”

Everyone nodded, and Ford wrapped his arm around her. “Why don’t we let the ducks out and then head up and make something warm for breakfast? I think we’re going to need fuel for the day.”

Knox nodded. “Bacon, eggs, and home fries.”

Hemsworth stretched and followed as they all moved off. They let out the ducks and walked to the farmhouse where they shared making breakfast.

As they ate, she couldn’t help but feel satisfied. The family vibe was already strong, and it would be better when the others joined them. Maybe she should call Amber again. She knew her sister would love the place, especially the older farmhouse no one had had time to explore.

Fueled with good food and family vibes, Jolie put on a bathing suit under her clothes and went to her car to grab her wetsuit and snorkeling gear.

Her phone beeped with a text while she was sorting through the items in her trunk. The notification was from the lab where she’d sent the initial samples from the pond.

“Good news?” Ford walked toward her, carrying a duffle over his shoulder.

She grinned. “Yes. Very good news. These are the test results from the pond samples.”

“All clear?”

She laughed. “Well, the water’s not clear and there are a variety of issues for me to work through. But there’s nothing dangerous in the water. I don’t need to worry about my skin on the dive. I had some cream to layer over the exposed parts to minimize effects, but now I don’t have to worry about it.”

“Good. Now you won’t argue when I dive with you.”

She scowled at him. “I only have one snorkel. And you wouldn’t have gone down if the water was potentially dangerous.”

He lifted his hand to trace along her jawline and then rested his fingers in her hair. “There was no way you were going down alone. This way, we don’t have to have the argument.”

She pursed her lips. It would have been an epic argument, and she never handled that well. “Glad we don’t have to argue, then.”

He kissed her. “Me too. Let’s go check it out.”

At the pond, nothing appeared to have been disturbed. Hemsworth romped over to play with the ducks and check out the area. They walked around the pond first, but there were no new tire tracks. She figured the security camera would have sent an alert to their phones if there had been, but it was good to see in person that nothing had happened during the time they were eating breakfast.

Ford turned his back to the cameras. “I’m going to do a quick check in the trees.”

She didn’t like him going in alone, but she knew he was highly skilled, so she nodded. “I’ll grab some of the equipment and bring it to the shallow end of the pond.”

He nodded and disappeared.

Jolie brought over a rake, a shovel, and a sturdy stick. She also grabbed the fishing net. If Cyril was as small as she guessed, it should be easier to haul it up with the net. The bungee cords might help too. Especially if the cylinder she’d felt was only part of the object.

When Ford returned, he smiled. “All good.”

If the people were watching, she wondered what they were thinking with all the comings and goings at the pond. Had they realized her group knew they’d been there? Did they know they were being watched in return?

She and Ford moved back to where they’d left her wetsuit and snorkel gear. She sighed. “I’ve changed into my gear millions of times, but knowing they might be watching makes me feel weird and self-conscious. Silly.”

Ford growled. “Not silly at all. I don’t like it either. I’ll stand between you and the cameras. They won’t see anything.”

She leaned up to kiss him lightly. “I’m wearing a bathing suit, so it’s not like there’s anything to see, but that helps. Thanks.”

She moved as quickly as she could, slipping off her leggings, t-shirt, and sweater. Wetsuits were never the easiest things to put on, but years of practice had her moving quickly. When she zipped it up, she grinned up at Ford. Then she strapped on her headgear with the lamp. “There. Thanks.”

His dark eyes flared. “I should be the one thanking you. That was a lot of fun to watch. Made it very difficult to keep my hands off that incredible body of yours.”

Her heart thumped and desire flowed through her veins. She wanted to laugh it off, make light of the moment. She also wanted to unzip the suit and have her way with this man. Right here. Right now. No matter who was watching.

Except, eww. “I’ve never had a desire to be an exhibitionist, but if you keep looking at me like that, the wetsuit might just sizzle off.”