Page 30 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

He was so excited, he wasn’t aware of how slippery the area around the pool was and halfway to reaching her, he skidded headfirst into the pool.

“Loki!” Jane cried out, trying to get Logan’s attention. But he hadn’t heard as he continued obliviously — swimming away from his puppy.

Without the second thought, Jane sprinted toward the pool and launched herself in. As soon as the water hit, she gasped at the sudden cold even as a memory of her nightmare filled her with a fear that sent shivers down her spine.

She forced her fear away, kicking and paddling to stay afloat as she searched for Loki. Finding a speck of dark gray underwater, she swam toward it, reaching him in a few strokes. She grabbed at the squirming, panicking furball, winding her arm around his body. As soon as his snout came above the water, he started whining, frantically scared at what had just occurred.

Logan must have finally heard as he stopped dead in the water, spinning around until he located the two of them. His eyes assessed the situation quickly as he swam toward them with almost inhuman speed.

“He fell into the water when you weren’t looking,” Jane explained between gasps, the impromptu exercise and coldness of the water hitting her hard.

“Give him to me,” Logan commanded. He took Loki from her, climbed out of the pool and set him down. Loki shook himself, splashing him from head to toe. Logan waited to see if he needed more assistance.

“Are you OK?” He asked the puppy.

Loki whined unhappily, pressing against him for reassurance, his tail between his legs. Logan crouched and stroked his head until the puppy’s tail raised and started to wag.

“I think you’re OK. We should probably keep you away from the pool until you’ve had a few swimming lessons.”

Loki barked in solid agreement.

Jane half swam, half paddled toward them. When she reached the side, Logan was on his knees with his hand outstretched toward her.

“Here,” he offered.

Relieved to be getting out of the pool and that awful water, she took hold of his hand as he lifted her out of the water.

His eyes looked her up and down and grew very wide. Turning away quickly, he grabbed his towel from the lounger and offered it to her.

“I’m fine,” she started.

“Your dress is white,” was all he said as he averted his eyes.

The comment was so bizarre, she didn’t know what to make of it. Wasn’t this a strange time to criticize her clothing? It wasn’t like she’d had any time to go shopping. She wore what had been left for her — a nightdress that she’d thought was very nice, actually. What was his deal with it right now?

She looked down at herself only to see that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath, and having just jumped into the pool, Logan was being greeted with his own version of a wet T-shirt competition.

She snatched the towel from him, wrapping it around herself, cheeks flaming.

“I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I barely saw anything,” Logan responded.

Truth was, he hadn’t been with a woman in some time and the glimpse of her perfect body — and it really was perfect — was stirring up some mighty strong emotions in him.

Which was mortifying, as the last thing she needed was him leering at her.

Get a grip, Logan. The woman needs your help and nothing more. Remember, you are on your last strike.

No women. No trouble.

Nothing.

Jane made sure her modesty was concealed before speaking again.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your workout. I saw him fall in and it looked like he couldn’t swim.” She was annoyed at how nervous she sounded.

Logan glanced back at Loki, who seemed fine. The puppy snarled at the water that was his mortal enemy now, giving it a wide berth.

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