Page 93 of Love for a Lifetime

As he wrapped her in his arms, all thoughts of keeping his distance in front of people flew out the window. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Just slipped.” She turned to look over her shoulder at the incline ahead of them. “That would have been a bad fall.”

Dawson held her tighter, unwilling to let thoughts like that take up any space in his head. “Do I need to carry you?”

Olivia laughed and slapped his chest as she straightened. “Thanks, but I can walk.”

She might have thought it was a joke, but he was more than willing to wrap her up if it meant protecting her from harm.

He kept a hold on her hand as they continued toward the creek. He was careful with every footstep as he led them down the slope. Was she moving slower than usual?

He stopped and turned to look up at her. She was standing higher on the hill, and he pulled her to his chest until they were face-to-face “Hey, you okay? Did we work too hard today?”

She pressed a quick kiss to his lips, then rested her head on his chest. “No, I’m fine. Maybe just tired.”

He brushed her hair away from her face and whispered, “Good news. A bed is waiting at the campsite.”

She chuckled, but the sound was cut short. “I’m ready for it.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up, and you can eat a quick bite before catching some Zs.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” She took his hand and walked the rest of the way to the creek by his side. Dawson loosened his hold as they caught up with everyone else, and she let their hands fall.

“You okay, Liv?” Lauren asked.

“Yeah. Just tired.”

Lauren grinned. “Oh? Didn’t sleep much in Dawson’s truck last night?”

Olivia laughed but didn’t look up at their friend. At least she wasn’t acting like she’d never be caught dead snuggled up to him in the passenger seat of his truck.

They washed up and made the trek back to the campsite. The burgers smelled amazing, and everyone practically licked their plates clean, including Levi and Betsy.

The group moved to the campfire where they toasted marshmallows and talked. Dawson was all too aware of Olivia sitting beside him–too far away for his taste. She made little movements like she was uncomfortable–stretching her neck to the side, rubbing her temples, and hunching her shoulders. He’d done more than a little staring as the sparks from the fire matched the ones in her eyes.

Levi was telling everyone about something Baby Annie had done, and Olivia stood up.

Dawson was on his feet in an instant. “What’s wrong?”

Olivia shook her head, but the shadow from the fire revealed a deep crease between her brows. “I’m going to the restroom.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Lauren laughed beside them. “‘Fraid she doesn’t want an audience, Dawson.”

“I just meant to the tree line,” Dawson said. “I want to be close-by in case she needs something.”

“Sit back down on your nest, mother hen,” Beau said without taking his eyes off the marshmallow he rotated on the end of a stick.

Olivia chuckled. “I’ll be right back. I’ll take Betsy with me. I’m sure she’d love to walk around.”

Olivia waved for the dog to follow, and Dawson swallowed a comment about Betsy’s inability to protect a shoe much less a grown woman.

Dawson sat back down on the log by the fire, but he watched as Olivia and Betsy disappeared into the darkness.

“Are you in love?” Lauren whispered beside him.

Dawson whipped his attention back to Lauren. Sure enough, she was looking at him.

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