Page 44 of More Than a Little Spark

A stream of water hits me smack in the center of my chest, and Fred cackles from the pool, the super soaker in his grubby little hands.

I point in warning, then yank off my shirt before diving into the pool.Daphne might have me a bit distracted, but I can still recognize a cry for attention.When I come up for air, I splash Fred, then dive back under.Soon, Mason and Kent have joined the game, and we’re all laughing.

We must make swimming seem like fun because several others jump into the pool.

Bailey sits on the edge of the pool, goggles on her face and flippers on her feet.“Fred, I can swim to the bottom.Watch me.”She slides into the water and glances at him before kicking her way down.

He treads water, focused on her until she breaks the surface again.“Cool.That was great.”

Her smile pushes up her goggles.“Can I play with you?”

“Sure.Yeah.”He scans the pool and spots Mason at the far end.“I’ll race you to the other side.”

The last word is barely out of his mouth, and Bailey is already swimming.And she’s fast, so he’ll have to work to catch her.

That’s when I notice Daphne taking off her T-shirt and shorts, revealing her red swimsuit.Dang, she’s hot.

I swim to the edge because I made a promise I intend to keep.Dripping wet, I walk over and pick up a towel.“Where’s the sunscreen?”

She grins and pulls a bottle out of her bag.“If you’ll rub it on my back, I can handle the rest.”She squeezes a dollop into my hand and turns, facing away from the pool.

I dab the lotion around her back and shoulders, then use both hands to spread it out over her very soft skin.

Once her back is fully protected from the sun, I lean in close.“Hopefully later, while everyone is distracted by fireworks, I can steal a kiss.”

Looking over her shoulder at me, she grins.“No need to steal.They’ll be freely given.”

And now I’m really looking forward to the fireworks display.

A stream of water hits me in the back.

“I’m being paged.But I’ll find you in the pool in a bit.”I spin around and stare at Fred, who is sitting on the edge of the pool.He’s laughing as I make my way toward him.

“Watch out, Dad!”He sprays me again.And when I’m only paces away, he drops the water gun and cannon balls into the water.

And I follow suit.

Today hasn’t been perfect, but overall, it’s going pretty well.Daphne has seen me without a shirt and still wants to kiss me.Fred is still calling me Dad.And the fajitas will be ready any minute.

Chapter18

Daphne

Daphne

“Can Mason ride with us to see fireworks?”Fred shakes his head, spraying water in every direction.

Carson steps in front of me, his chivalrous attempt to keep me from getting wet again.“Be careful.Some of us already dried off.”

“Sorry.”He peeks around Carson and repeats his apology.

“It’s okay.I don’t melt.”I like Fred.He’s a sweet kid.Even if he’s a bit standoffish.

He gives a contrite smile, then focuses on Carson again.“Can he?Please?”

“Sure.But he needs to tell his parents so that they know where he is.”Carson shoves his hands in his pockets.“We’ll leave here in about ten minutes.”

“Okay.Thanks.”Fred takes off running.

---