Page 29 of Samuel

Evie slipped her sneakers and socks off. She walked over the stones by the pond, which Sam had insisted was a lake but it clearlywas not, and soaked in the warm sun rays that were kissing her skin. It truly was one of the most beautiful places she’d ever been. Sam’s family was blessed to own it.

“Evie!” His voice called out, alarm dripping through her name.

Turning to see what he was so panicked about, Evie’s foot fell awkwardly between two stones, causing her ankle to twist. Her leg buckled and she fell, landing squarely on her bottom.

“Oops!”

Sam came running towards her. She looked up from where her hand was rubbing the tender skin on her ankle and smiled at how panicked he looked. Serves him right for calling out to her like she was about to fall off a cliff.

“Are you okay?” he asked, grabbing her hand in an effort to help her stand.

“I’m fine.”

He winced. “The baby?”

“She’s fine too, Cowboy. No need to panic. She’s still pretty small, and I landed on my butt. I’m almost certain that’s not where she is right now.”

He shook his head, pulling off his hat and wiping his hand across his forehead. “What were you thinking walking along these stones by yourself?”

“Uh, I was thinking about putting my feet in the beautiful water of this tiny, tiny lake.”

“It’s not a tiny lake,” he bristled.

“I’m almost certain you legally have to classify it as a large pond.”

“Just because you grew up on the Great Lakes does notmean that this isn’t a perfectly fine body of water. It’s not about the size, it’s how you use it.”

Ah, there it was. The panic had receded from his gaze, and the warm crinkle of teasing had moved back in. She hadn’t totally mucked their nice afternoon up.

“Well, I’d been planning on using this little lake appropriately, but I didn’t plan on twisting my ankle.”

“Oh shit. Is it okay? Here, let me check it out for you.”

He helped her sit back down and quickly moved his hand down her leg and over her ankle. She couldn’t help but let out a small whimper when his hand grazed the injury.

“It might be sprained. I’ll carry you back to the house.”

“You will do no such thing. I’m perfectly fine to walk on it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sam, this isn’t some romance movie where I get injured, a quirky animal companion finds us and guides us home as you carry me in your strong and capable arms to get a pumpkin spiced latte.”

His blank face stared at her. “That was very specific,Bluebell.”

“Oh, god. I’m never going to live down that mistake, am I?”

“Probably not. Now, tell me more about these movies.” He watched her face as he poked and prodded her ankle.

“I may have fallen asleep to some corny romance movies last night. There’s just something so comforting about them.”

Sam laughed.

“Well, I don’t know about the animal companion, Shep included because he’s a pain, but I am a fool for a good pumpkin spiced drink.” His face dropped and he pointed his finger at Evie. “I’ll never admit that to anyone else. Don’t give away my secret.”

“Your pumpkin spice obsession is safe with me.”

“I said I like it, not that I’m obsessed.”

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