Page 31 of The Texas Cowboy's Rescue

The trio came to a halt as they took it all in. “Well, will this do for our picnic?”

She and Brooke looked at the man with an incredulity evident on their faces, and he laughed. “I am thinking that would be a soundyesresponse. Let’s get our blanket and hamper set up, and then we will test that water out.”

The blanket was spread under the branches of a couple of tall cypress trees. And the picnic was more like a country feast, in Kenzie’s estimation.

“Okay, we have cold fried chicken, potato salad, chips and dips, and... some PB&J sandwiches that might interest a certain young lady. For dessert, well, we’ll keep that a surprise until Mama is pleased with your clean plate.” He grinned at Brooke. “Bottled water is in the cooler bag.”

“I think it’s best to eat, then we’ll see about that water.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed with Kenzie. “Let’s dive in... the food, not the water,” he corrected, and Brooke burst into laughter. Kenzie had to join in. Deke was being quite a host, and the laughter was extra special.

Several minutes later, Brooke had demolished the PB&J sandwich and chips and eyed the covered container at the edge of the blanket. “I cleaned my plate.”

“So you did.” Kenzie smiled, knowing where the conversation was headed next. “I suppose you might be full... too full for dessert right now?”

“I have a little room, Mama. And I cleaned my plate.”

Deke was grinning to himself but staying neutral.

“Well, you might need that extra strength, I suppose, for all that swimming that is planned. Perhaps Mr. Deke will share what he brought in that container, if you ask nicely.”

Deke wasted no time in reaching for the red plastic. “It would have been nice to have a watermelon, I thought... since picnics and watermelon go together.” Brooke’s smile slipped, but then she remembered, and it came back into place. Watermelon was better than no dessert at all.

“But then I thought,” he continued, “that my guests deserved better than just watermelon. So here we go.” The lid came off and there were a half dozen cupcakes, replete with the favored white buttercream icing and lots of bright-pink sprinkles on their tops. Brooke’s grin said it all. “My sprinkle buddy couldn’t be without sprinkles today,” he said. She chose one. “And in case our other guest isn’t into all that gooey stuff, like we aficionados of sprinkles are, these cookies here in this other container might be better to her liking.”

Kenzie sat looking at the smaller bowl’s contents. Her favorite cookie of them all... and he knew it, and the fact he knew it at all, and that he had made sure to provide it... well, it made her tear up a bit. Which she hastily batted away as if a fly had bothered her.

“Perfect. My favorite.” She chose one. Then her gaze met his and he smiled. A beautiful smile. And she felt it was a smile she would remember for a very long time. He hadn’t handed her a dozen red roses but a simple little plastic bowl of her favorite Oatmeal Ranger cookies. Because he was Deke. And that last bit of wall crumbled away. Over something so simple, yet so special, if only to her.

“Can we go now? Can we get in the water?” Brooke was clearly ready. Deke reached into another bag. “I grabbed these swim shoes yesterday, thinking they might come in handy today as some of the rocks can be slippery and sharp. I guessed at the sizes... hope I got close enough.”

“I got bright-pink ones, Mama.”

“I see. I guess Mr. Deke might know you and your favorites by now. And you say?”

“Thank you, Mr. Deke. I really like them. Now can we go get in the water?”

“You two go ahead,” Kenzie said. “I want to put some of these leftovers away and then I’ll come join you.”

“We can practice my diving before my test.” Brooke had taken Deke by the hand as if it was the most usual occurrence, and he followed along. Soon there were splashes and laughter echoing along the canyon walls.

For a while, Kenzie was content to sit in the warmth of the sun and watch the pair. Whatever conversations they had seemed to end in fits of laughter. She couldn’t help thinking how perfect if all days could be like this one day.

“Watch, Mama! I’m going to jump in with Mr. Deke. Then I’m going to float.”

She waved her response. The splashes were huge and the water was calling to her. She stood up and pulled her cover-up off. Making sure her swim shoes were secure, she edged toward the water’s shallows.

“It’s better to jump in, Mama. It’s cold at first, but then it gets warm.” Her daughter was giving advice, and Kenzie debated which way to go. She dipped a toe in, and it wasn’t only cold, it felt frigid on her warm skin. There was only one way to go and that was to go into the deeper water and get it over. The pair watched her, words of encouragement coming her way.

“You aren’t chicken, are you, Mama? I jumped in. Do you need Mr. Deke to jump with you?”

“Who is a chicken?” Kenzie spoke the words braver than she felt. But it was then or never. She closed her eyes and dove. And then her eyes were wide open. And so was her mouth, which was a mistake, and she came up coughing. Deke’s arm was around her in nothing flat and she was grateful. But a little embarrassed at her novice mistake. The shock of the water’s chill had been automatic.

“You okay? You might want to remember to not drink the water as you go in next time,” he offered up the sage advice. It was a good thing she noted the teasing glint in his eyes.

“I think I’ve got that. Thanks.” It was also interesting to realize that neither one of them had broken their contact. She was quite content to allow him to steady her in the deep water. And he obviously felt the same.

“Thank you for what is already an incredible day. And for being so good and patient with a precocious six- going on sixteen-year-old little girl. She has so many questions.”

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