Page 43 of Rescuing Rosie
‘Wow, what a tale,’ said Ant. ‘I’d love to read it. Could I?’
Rosie felt her cheeks turn pink with pleasure. ‘Seriously? It might be a bit girly for you.’
‘Maybe I have a romantic side,’ he said, with that small smile.
Oh.That squeeze of her heart again.
‘Right, we’re almost back,’ he said, ‘but first, you’ll be pleased to know we have a small river to cross.’
‘Oh my god, not–’
‘Stepping stones, yes.’
The path led into trees, and then across a stream running into the lake. There were half a dozen reasonable-sized stones. As instructed by Ant, Rosie perched on the first one and passed him the sticks, which he put in his backpack before hopping across, dumping the bag and coming back for her.
He looked from Rosie to the stones, then back at Rosie. ‘I could piggyback you, but that’s probably risky, given the rocks are wet.’ He considered for a little while longer, then to her surprise said, ‘Oh fuck it. Hop on,’ and crouched down, his back towards her.
Happy as she was to put her arms around his neck, nestle her face in his thick, soft hair, and have him firmly grasp her thighs, Rosie did not relish the thought of him hopping between the stones. But instead he waded into the water, which was soon over his boots and up to his knees.
‘Ant!’ She laughed in delight as he sloshed on through, Wainwright ahead of him. Unable to stop herself, she leaned forward and landed a big smacker of a kiss on his rosy cheek. His skin was cool and fresh on her lips. ‘Mwah! My hero.’ Then she rested her head on his as he approached the opposite bank … where Dale suddenly appeared out of the trees, Ashley behind him.
‘Yay!’ shouted Ashley. ‘Rosie! And she’s smiling!’
For a moment Ant paused, then he carried on up the bank, where Dale came down to meet them.
He held out his arms. ‘Special delivery – thanks, mate.’
‘Please don’t,’ Rosie whispered into Ant’s ear.
‘I’m going to lower you down,’ he said, his mountain-rescue voice making a comeback. ‘Take your weight on your good foot – Dale, support her, please.’
‘My fuckin’ pleasure.’
Rosie slid down as instructed, and Dale put an arm round her waist, then kissed her head. ‘Why did you take off, Roh-seh?’ he said. ‘I’ve been shitting myself.’
‘How’s the injury, my love?’ Ashley cut in.
‘Take her back to the hotel,’ said Ant. ‘Keep the ankle elevated, Rosie. Ashley – can you get her an ice pack? And I’d suggest you get it checked out by a doctor. Pretty sure it’s a sprain, but it’s always good to be sure.’
Dale was squeezing her waist.
‘Can you stop that, please?’ she said quietly, turning to him.
‘Sorry,’ he said, looking surprised.
‘Dale,’ said Ant. ‘Can I borrow your boots? I need to go fetch the Land Rover.’
‘You’re leaving?’ said Rosie. Her tone probably betrayed how she felt about that.
Ashley supported Rosie while Dale took off his boots and socks, and Ant didn’t reply to Rosie’s question, concentrating on undoing his soaking-wet laces. Soon he was in dry boots, and Dale was barefoot, holding Ant’s wet ones.
‘Thanks,’ Ant said to Dale. The two men looked at each other for a moment, and some sort of understanding seemed to pass between them. ‘Thankyou,’ said Dale.
‘Are you going back to the hotel?’ Ant asked Dale.
‘If Ashley can lend me some shoes.’
Ashley’s green eyes were moving between Ant and Dale. For some reason he rolled them, and she heard him mutter something about leading a horse to water, before confirming there were shoes at the hotel.
