Page 60 of Colton On Guard
“Several people got sick on the drive down to town. He woke up everyone’s parents and told them what we’d been up to.”
“Ouch.” Parker covered his mouth with one hand, clearly trying not to laugh. “How old were you?”
“Seventeen. I was a senior. I’d lied and told my parents I was staying at my friend’s house. They were not happy with me.”
“I bet.” His shoulders shook but somehow he managed to keep his face expressionless. “Well, at least you no longer have to worry about someone’s dad. Or a bunch of drunk teenagers. It’ll just be the two of us. We’ll unplug and unwind. It’ll be fun, I promise.”
Seeing the eagerness in his handsome face, her heart squeezed. Though camping had never, not even once, appealed to her, she realized she liked the idea now. With him.
And not just because they were friends, either.
“I’ll go,” she finally said. “As long as you give me a detailed list of what to bring.”
His answering smile felt like the sun coming out at the end of several dull, dreary days. “I’ll take care of everything we need.You just pack a change of clothing and whatever toiletries you need. We’ll plan on leaving right after the cookout.”
And just like that, she realized she was going to go camping.
CHAPTER 13
Watching Genna struggle to decide whether or not she wanted to go camping, Parker tried to contain his own eagerness. As soon as he’d come up with the idea, he’d realized how much this outing meant to him.
He’d watched Genna’s tension and stress spiral, helpless to do anything to make it go away. When the idea of taking her away from it all had first occurred to him, he’d felt a sense of relief.
Except he remembered her saying that hiking wasn’t her thing. She’d said something along the lines of never going hiking, so he wasn’t sure she’d even go for the idea.
“It’s fine if you’re not into it,” he said. “We can figure out something else we can do.”
She locked gazes with him and then slowly nodded. “You know what? I do need to get away. And maybe it’s time for me to try something new. So, yes, I’d very much like to go camping with you.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Hiking, too?”
“Hiking, too.” She smiled back.
“How do you feel about fishing?” he asked. “I know where the best spots are.”
Lifting her chin, her smile widened. “I used to be pretty good at fishing. My dad took me a lot growing up. But it’s been a long time.”
And then, before he could express his happiness about that revelation, she grabbed him and pulled him to her.
“Kiss me,” she ordered.
Needing no second urging, he did exactly that.
They managed to peel themselves off each other and head home. As soon as they took care of feeding the dogs, they kissed again.
They ended up in his bed, their lovemaking as wild and passionate as ever. Later, as she dozed in his arms amid the tangled sheets, he found himself hoping that she might stay the entire night. But sometime later, while he slept, she got up and went to her own room. He’d only realized that when he’d reached for her and come up empty. He managed to fall back asleep, knowing he’d see her again once he woke.
Sunday morning dawned sunny and bright. Humming under his breath, he got up and showered before making coffee. When Genna came out to the kitchen for her own coffee, her lack of a smile and tight expression revealed her nervousness. She made her coffee and carried it over to the table. He’d already taken both dogs out and fed them their breakfast.
Sensing Genna’s nervousness, June Bug immediately went to her and demanded petting. Genna’s expression softened as she gathered her dog close.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m not sure about this,” she admitted. “I’m all for socializing with my coworkers, it’s the rest of your family that worries me. Everyone seems determined to make something out of nothing.”
Her words hurt him, though he took care not to show it. “Define ‘nothing,’” he said.
She gave him a sheepish look. “You know what I mean.”