Page 41 of Extreme Romancing in Idaho

“Oh, yeah. Well, it is the official axe for competitions. Mine looks a little more worn than yours though.”

“This one’s brand new.” I had a problem speaking without thinking. “My handle fell off my other one,” I added in a rush.

Daniel only nodded, stepping to the line. “What do you say we start a game? Promise not to let you win.” He winked at me over his shoulder.

I half smiled and twirled my finger in my hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll beat you all by myself tonight.”

“Kinky.”Remi’s voice interrupted my conversation.

I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone. “I mean, I’m gonna win.”

Daniel raised one eyebrow at me and turned to face the target. I flipped around at Remi and held one finger over my mouth. With his constant commentary, I would never settle down and be able to focus on Daniel. I couldn’t take him out of my ear either. He was a necessary evil … for now.

Remi sat on the bench behind me with a scorecard and a pencil in his hand.“I’ll give you a tip. Make the axe go forward.”I watched his mouth move with the words flowing into my brain.

The thwack of Daniel’s axe brought me back to my date, where my focus should be centered. His axe stuck halfway in the one-point ring on the outside of the board.

Daniel rubbed the back of his head. “I guess I’m a bit out of practice.”

I laughed. “I haven’t been able to come here much lately either.”

He gestured for me to step in front of him and take my turn. I couldn’t delay any longer. It was the moment of truth. Would I be able to pull off this catfishing scheme or should I call it a night and head back home—to Mama and Papa—where I’d live out the rest of my days caring for them and the farm?

Following Remi’s instructions, I breathed in deeply through my nose and let the air flow through my lips. Both my hands gripped the axe. I lifted it above my head and brought it down in one decisive movement, letting it go.

It hit the target.

Just not the one I’d been aiming for.

It landed square in the center—in the target in front of Daniel, not me.

“Oops.” I dropped my forehead into my hand.

“Don’t admit when you do something wrong. Own it.”Laughter tinged Remi’s voice. I had to resist the urge to turn around and yell at him for poking fun at me.

“I mean … I meant to do that.”

I glanced at Remi, but his back was to me. He still sat on the stool at the table while his friends threw axes. Blake slid his eyes in my direction, narrowing them like an older brother would. I ignored his look, facing Daniel once again.

“Wow. You like the two-handed throw, huh?”

“Yeah.” I followed him to the targets and yanked out my axe.

We threw a few more times, and I missed only once. Daniel managed to stay on the board, but his throws were everywhere.

“Dude. My arms are flamed.” Daniel tugged his hatchet out of the wood and tucked it into his belt.

“The muscles in his forearms are tired because of climbing.”Remi translated.

“You okay if we take a break? I’ll get you a drink.” Daniel tipped his head toward the drink fridge.

“Sure.” I tucked my own weapon in its hook. “I’ll take a Diet Coke.”

“You got it.” Daniel shot me with two finger guns and jogged to the counter.

I sagged into a stool.

“You’re doing great.”Remi laughed.

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