Tackling Summer (22 page)

Her skin was bronzed by weeks of outdoor work. Her hair, which was starting to come out of its braid, was getting lighter every day from the sun. Maddox itched to tug the elastic from the bottom, letting it flow loose, so he could tangle his fingers in it.
 

“Everything okay?” Maddox asked.

Chanel nodded, looking as if it was hard work keeping that grim set to her mouth.

“We running away?” Maddox asked through a laugh. She was up to something.

“Yep.” She twisted her lips to the side, fighting a smile. “Hop on.”

A wave of anticipation zipped through him. He had no idea what to expect, but without argument climbed on the machine behind her. The cooler made it crowded, so his thighs wrapped around hers, her back pressed into his chest and stomach. Maddox’s breath caught in his throat. Damn, he hoped they were headed off on an adventure, just the two of them, and not on some sort of rescue mission. It could be anything: a sick calf, a lame horse, a banged up cowboy. Chanel didn’t do anything impulsive or fun unrelated to work, so he hated to get his hopes up, though a certain part of his body was disregarding those logical doubts.

CHAPTER TWENTY

They traveled a narrow ATV trail choked with brush on both sides. It wasn’t used often, though Chanel could tell by some broken branches and faint tire tracks that someone had been out here in the last couple of weeks. She’d put her money on Fritz and Christine, although Mitch came out here from time to time to check on the place and escape everyone.
 

The smile she’d been hiding bloomed on her face the closer they got to the hidden oasis. Maddox, surprisingly silent on the ride, gripped her tightly as they navigated deep ruts and often had to duck his head over her shoulder to escape losing his pretty face to the brush.

Finally, they broke into a small clearing revealing a tiny cabin and a crystal clear waterfall with a deep pool at the bottom. Maddox’s sharp intake of break broadened her smile. Chanel pulled the four-wheeler up to the cabin and switched off the motor.

“What do you think?” Her legs were sweaty when she rose from the seat to dismount.

“I had no idea places like this existed outside of the movies,” Maddox replied as he swung his huge frame from the small ATV.

“Dad discovered this spot when he and Mom were first married. He managed to haul supplies in here and build this cabin. It was their little retreat. There’s no running water, but the creek has plenty, and now we have those handy treatment pills that prevent beaver fever.”

Maddox snorted back a laugh, and Chanel blushed. Of course his thoughts would head straight to the gutter.
 

Chanel led him to the little front porch where two Adirondack chairs looked out at the falls. She unlocked the door and wasn’t surprised to find everything had been neatly dusted. Christine had been here.
 

A kitchen area provided a dry sink, a bit of counter space, and a few cupboards containing a some dishes and glasses. A mini BBQ sat on the floor to be carried to the deck for cooking. Chanel was relieved to see Fritz and Christine had hauled in a full bag of charcoal. In her excitement, she’d forgotten to bring some. The front wall of the cabin sported large windows to take in the spectacular view. A table with two chairs was positioned under one of those windows, while a fold out couch was settled on the back wall.
 

Chanel and Seth had come out here from time to time in high school to hide from their parents and do some swimming and fishing. She hadn’t been out since graduation.
 

“This is great,” Maddox said while Chanel pushed open the windows to let in some fresh air.

“It’s pretty amazing.”

He held up his duffle bag. “What’d you bring me?”

“Hope you don’t mind me going through your drawers,” Chanel said and shook her head at her word choice, yet again bringing a mischievous smile to his gorgeous face. She hadn’t been shy with him all summer, would have called him out on being childish a month ago. Now her heart beat harder, and her face got hot. “Anyway, just some basics. Change of clothes, swim trunks. I also stuck the sheets and towels in there since my bag was full.” The rule of the cabin was to bring your own linens in and out.

“Cool, thanks.”

“Sure.”
 

Awkward silence settled over them. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, Chanel thought. They hadn’t needed to talk much that night on the hill, and other times they’d been alone, they’d been bickering or ignoring each other.

“What’s in the cooler?” Maddox gestured toward the plastic box Chanel had set on the counter.

“Grabbed some hamburger from the freezer. We should set it out, so it can thaw for dinner. There’s some beer in there too.” Suddenly a beer sounded perfect, something to take off the edge.
 

Maddox must’ve read her mind. He removed the cooler lid, twisted the top off a frosty bottle, and handed it to her. Then he set to work finding a plate for the meat. The air in the cabin was stuffy, almost as hot as it was outside. Wishing for a breeze, Chanel took a long drink from her beer and pulled her damp tank top away from her overheated skin.

“Is there a way to jump off the waterfall?” Maddox asked.

“Yeah, it’s a bit of climb, but I think you’re up to it.” She looked down at his work boots. They never really recovered from their dunk in the pond. “Good thing I thought to bring your dead tennis shoes. You can’t swim in those.” Hiking to the top of the falls barefoot wasn’t an option.

“Only in emergencies. They’re like having bricks tied to your feet,” Maddox said popping the top off a beer for himself.

Chanel tugged a bikini from her backpack, contemplating how they were going to change. There were no dividing walls in the cabin. She could go outside. It wasn’t like anyone was around to see her.

Her dilemma must’ve been obvious because Maddox said, “Don’t worry, I’ll turn my back.” He grinned at her over the top of his beer bottle.

Chanel cocked an eyebrow at him. “How can I be sure?”

“You can’t,” Maddox said with a shrug.

“I won’t look either.”

“I don’t mind if you do.” Maddox pinned her with those intense blue eyes, sending her imagination into overdrive. She knew what lay under the thin cotton of his t-shirt. As for what lay under the jeans…
 

Chanel swallowed hard to find her voice and then croaked, “Well, I mind. On three we turn around and no peeking until I say.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And you better be decent, no funny stuff!”

Maddox fished a pair of bright blue and yellow Hawaiian print trunks from his duffle bag. “Okay. One. Two. Three.”
 

Backs turned, Chanel peeled off her jeans. Hearing Maddox’s clothes hit the floor, almost pulled her head around, but she refrained and focused on her stubborn bra hook.

“Done,” Maddox announced.

“Wait!” Chanel hollered. “I’m not, so keep facing that wall.”

“What’s taking so long? Do you need some help?”

Chanel shimmied into her bottoms, breasts bouncing free. For a split second, she was tempted to give him the green light. A shiver rippled through her as she pictured the look on his face when he saw her topless. Squelching that line of thinking, Chanel said, “Shut up and be patient.”

 
Swimsuits secure, they headed for the creek. They had to wade through the thigh deep—on Chanel—water to the other side to hit the most passable path to the top of the waterfall. Chanel led the way, scrambling over large rocks and shouldering aside brush. A bikini wasn’t the best attire for the hike, but the scratches were worth it. When they reached the top, the vegetation thinned allowing them to access the creek easily.

Chanel paused long enough for Maddox to scramble up beside her. She admired his strong sweat streaked chest. What was she doing here? Setting herself up for heartache, that’s what. But before she could continue that line of thought, Maddox grabbed her hand.

“Let’s go.”

He led her into the swift moving current, their feet slipping on slick rocks, until they reached the point where the water disappeared over the edge. Maddox ran his free hand through his hair. “Unbelievable.”

The new softness about him moved Chanel. She wondered if it was for real forever, or just how he’d become at the ranch. It was hard to picture him on the Doumit campus without his cocky mask.

“You ready?” Chanel called over the roar of the falls.

Maddox gave her a broad smile and squeezed her hand. “Let’s do it!”

Together, hands still linked, they stepped forward and leaped over the edge, plunging deep into the pool at the bottom. They let go to swim to the surface, both laughing when they surfaced. Treading water inches from each other, their eyes met.

Chanel felt his arm slip around her waist, drawing her close. Then his lips were on hers. They were soft, exploring, not demanding. It was a good thing he was strong, because she forgot about swimming and soon had both arms wrapped around his neck. Somehow, Maddox worked them to a shallow spot where they could plant their feet.

He pulled back, cupping her face in his huge hands. “This isn’t a summer fling for me.”

Chanel’s heart tripped over itself. She wanted so badly to believe him.

“I know you don’t believe me.” It was getting creepy how often he knew what she was thinking. “But, this summer, well…,” he trailed off releasing her face to run his fingers through his wet hair.

So many conflicting feelings coursed through her. She didn’t know which one to voice, so she said nothing, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“You’re so strong. You do so much to hold everyone together. You need someone to hold you for a change. I love you.”

Those words, mostly the “I love you” part short-circuited her brain, and next thing she knew, Chanel was on her butt in the water. Her legs had just stopped working.
 

Laughter exploded from Maddox, sending heat straight to her cheeks. Chanel couldn’t believe she’d just biffed it.

“Knocked you right off your feet,” he said, extending a hand to help her up.

Instead of allowing him to pull her to her feet, Chanel took his hand and gave it a quick tug, throwing him off balance enough for the current to knock him over. She laughed from her seat in the water until she saw him rise up and head for her. Before she could escape, Maddox scooped her up and tossed her back out into the deep pool.

When her head popped free from the water she heard him yell, “You can’t make anything easy, can you?”

“Well, maybe one thing,” she called back, and before she could talk herself out of it, she slipped the knot at the back of her neck that secured her bikini top and allowed the triangles to drift off her body. She continued to tread water with one arm, lifting the black slip of fabric over her head. Satisfaction rippled through her when Maddox’s eyes grew huge. She lobbed the top in his direction, and he caught it.

“Coach will be glad to know you can still catch after a summer of playing cowboy,” she teased.

Without a word, Maddox dropped the top on a nearby boulder and plowed through the water toward her. Chanel squealed and ducked back under the water. Maybe she wouldn’t make it easy, after all.

***

It was hard to leave the cabin the next day. Chanel had packed enough food to get them through lunch, and they reluctantly packed up after one last leap from the falls. They were both quiet on the ride home. Maddox hoped she didn’t regret giving herself to him. He’d wanted to talk about it at the cabin but decided to hold off, not wanting to break the spell that seemed to surround them in that place. No wonder Mitch had swept his wife off to the retreat whenever possible.

A red metal gate loomed in the distance. It was the last one before they exited the forest returning to Hayfield Road for the remainder of the journey. Chanel slowed the four-wheeler to a stop so Maddox could jump off and open the gate, but instead of moving to the task, he reached around her and turned the key in the ignition, silencing the machine.

“What are you doing?” Chanel twisted to look at him.

Maddox lifted her off the seat and turned his body sideways so both legs were on one side. Then he settled Chanel on his lap. Despite all they’d been through those hazel eyes were still wary.

“I need to tell you something.”

“I know, you told me yesterday.” She tried to get up, but Maddox held her fast.
 

“Right, but I want you to know I’ve never said that to another woman.” He held up the index and middle finger of one hand in a Scout’s Honor signal. “Not even to get into her pants.”

Chanel laughed in response. “Whatever.”

“No, seriously. God, I never thought I would say this, but I love this place. You can’t live here and not be affected by it. And you…you’ve gotten to me. You’ve pushed me and pissed me off like no one else, not even Coach. I can’t go back to campus without knowing you’ll be a part of my life there too.”

Her nostrils flared slightly, and she swallowed hard. “I don’t know what to say right now. You make it sound so good, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I love you too, but I’m a realist. We’ve barely moved from tolerating each other to this.” She waved her hand back and forth between them. “When you get back, people are going to expect you to be, well, you.”

“Everybody except Coach. He’s gonna like what he sees.”

Chanel gave a quick nod of acknowledgement. “True. And you’re sure this isn’t just an act to get your spot on the team secured?”

It was a fair question, and Maddox had been thinking on it a lot. He still dreamed of the NFL, but it wasn’t as urgent as it was in May. What happened, happened. What he couldn’t see was leaving the Double O and never knowing what could be with Chanel.

“Positive. I get your hesitation, but I also think you’re fighting what you’re feeling.” He sounded like a woman, but if that’s what it took to win her, he’d hike up his skirt.

She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. A handful of cattle appeared out of a nearby draw, one let out a low moo, and they paused to stare at the couple. Her voice was soft when she spoke, “I’m tired of getting hurt. It’s been a battle since Mom died. As you can see, my family is a bit of a mess. I can’t handle any more drama. And
you
are drama.”