Page 42 of Fire and Icing

“And decided to baptize me, apparently?” I smile.

I’m not mad. Just shocked. And drenched.

Dustin winces, rubbing the back of his neck. “Unintentional immersion. Not holy at all. I … uh … Oh man. I can’t manage to do a thing right around you, can I?”

Cody tosses a towel toward us. It lands somewhere near my elbow.

Dustin stoops and picks it up, offering it to me with a sheepish smile. “You okay?”

I take the towel, dabbing at my hair. “I am,” I can’t help but return his boyish smile. “Nothing like starting your day with a full-body rinse and a public wipeout. But, yes. I’m fine. Thanks.”

“In my defense,” he says, crouching beside me, “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Well, in the future I’ll be sure to phone ahead if I’m planning to cycle past the station.”

My words are sarcastic, but my smile tells him I’m teasing.

“That might be advisable,” he smiles down at me, then he crouches low and brushes a strand of wet hair away from my face.

The move is intimate and unnerving and it sends more chills through me than the spray of water just did.

“Here,” Dustin says in a gentle tone. “Let me help you up.”

I glance down at myself. My shirt is plastered to my skin. My jeans are soaked through. And Dustin Reed, Rookie of the Year, is looking at me like I’m the most intriguing thing to ever emerge from a puddle.

“I’d better get up before I start growing moss,” I joke.

He smiles softly. “Wouldn’t want that.”

Dustin extends his hand to me and I accept. His hand is warm, big, and slightly calloused. His grip on me is firm as he pulls me up with ease.

His brow crinkles with concern. “I’m so sorry, Emberleigh.”

“No worries. It’s just water. I’m not the Wicked Witch. I won’t melt.”

“That’s a relief,” he smiles.

Cody comes running out with another towel. He hands it to me and I take it, ruffling my hair and then draping it over my shoulders.

Dustin still looks shaken.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” I assure him.

“Cody shouted your name …” he nervously repeats his explanation.

“Don’t blame me, Rookie,” Cody teases. “I simply said hello. You’re the one who turned the hose on her.”

“True enough,” Dustin admits.

“Come on in,” Cody says to me. “I think we have a dry shirt you can change into. Patrick’s just pulling together lunch. Have you eaten yet?”

“I haven’t. I was just heading into town …”

“Come on, then. Join us,” Cody offers.

Dustin bends down and lifts my bike so it’s standing. He tips his head toward the station. “Come on, it’s the least we can do …”

Dustin’s eyes meet mine. Cody’s already heading back in through the bay.

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