Diving In

by Kristina Mathews

  He dug into his burger, savoring the juicy, delicious treat.

  When he looked up, he noticed Lily and Carson walk into the restaurant, with their baby in tow. Lily gave a quick wave and they walked over to join them.

  “What are you guys doing here?” She had an almost too-surprised tone in her voice.

  “Hey, Dave.” Carson gave a nod to the Realtor. Of course, he would have also gone to high school with the man.

  “Carson. Nice to see you out with the family.” Dave stood to be introduced to Lily, and then he helped pull another table over. “I’ve been getting to know your younger brother.”

  “Does this mean you’re planning to stick around?” Carson gave Kyle an assessing glance. He hesitated, as if giving the idea a chance to sink in before he broke out into a welcoming grin.

  Kyle stood and extended a hand as a peace offering. Carson pumped once and then pulled him into a hearty embrace. Kyle was the first to break away and then he looked up to see Fisher walk through the door. Followed by Miranda, the twin girls, and his father.

  Mixed emotions flooded him.

  When Fisher offered him a tentative smile, one emotion rose to the surface.

  Love.

  He loved his strong blonde. And she must love him back. Why else would she bring his father here? His whole family. Well, almost his whole family. Hopefully, before the summer ended, his mother would have a reason to come north.

  Kyle stepped forward, pulling Fisher into his arms. It had only been hours since he last held her, but it had felt like a century.

  “I missed you.” He buried his face in her hair, taking in her sweet scent. Then he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Fisher. I do.”

  She held him tightly, telling him without words that she felt the same. Words would come. He had a feeling there would be a whole lot of words before the day was through.

  Finally, all too soon, she released him.

  “Look who I found on the side of the road.” She stepped aside so his father could offer a steady handshake. He’d showered and changed into one of Kyle’s shirts.

  Fisher.

  “What do you mean you found him on the side of the road?”

  “Well, as I was driving home from Lily’s after having a much-needed girls’ talk”—she smiled at her friend—“I saw a car in a ditch, just before that one curve.”

  He glanced over at his father, but he didn’t see any cuts or bruises. In fact, the man looked better than he had in years. Fisher had that effect on people.

  “I guess I fell asleep at the wheel.” Dad looked down, briefly. “But then this lovely lady came to my rescue. Don’t you let this one get away, son.”

  “I won’t. Dad.” He had that same hesitation in his voice as Kevin Costner in that baseball movie. The one where he wanted to have a catch with his dad. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time for you this morning.”

  “Oh, well, I can see why you were in such a hurry to go after her. I’m glad she caught up to you.” There was a warmth in his father’s voice. A twinkle in his eye.

  “Yeah. Me too.”

  “I’m glad I got to meet her. And this lovely lady.” Dad smiled at Miranda, who gave him a warm pat on the arm. “And my…” His voice became unsteady. “My granddaughters.”

  Carson stood up then. He introduced his wife and his son. The look of sheer joy transformed his father’s face, making him look taller and younger, and for the first time since he’d known the man, fully alive.

  Fisher quietly slipped her hand in his and he knew he’d do whatever it took to make her his family.

  More tables were pushed together and another round of drinks came out. It was like Thanksgiving and Christmas and Sunday dinner all rolled into one afternoon. Everyone was on their best behavior, and any discussion of past hurts was put aside in favor of “pass the salt, please.”

  Their family problems didn’t just go away, but somehow he knew they would all do a better job of communicating. Maybe even work up toward having the kind of extended family Kyle had only seen in movies.

  When Fisher stepped away to use the ladies’ room, Kyle slid over to Dave. “About that offer. Where do I sign?”

  “You can come down to my office or I can meet you wherever, whenever is most convenient to you.” Dave extended a hand, an offer of goodwill and welcome.

  “Could you meet me back at the property? Say an hour after we finish up here?”

  “Sure. You remember how to get there? You probably need four-wheel drive.”

  “Yeah. I remember, and I’ll take Fisher’s Jeep. I want to make sure she’s as in love with the place as I am.”

  “Gotcha.” Dave gave him a wink. “Always good to get the woman’s approval. Especially when it comes to putting down roots.”

  Chapter 22

  “Give me your keys.” Kyle wrapped his arm around Fisher and whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

  “I can drive. I only had one beer.” She was too nervous to have any more than that. But it seemed like the day went well. Sure, there would be a lot of work ahead of them. All of them, but baby steps had been taken. Well, not literally, the three infants were months away from walking. But somehow, she sensed healing waters start to flow between the Swift men.

  “I know, but I want to show you something.”

  “If it’s your RV, I’ve seen it.” Not that she wouldn’t mind crawling into that bed she’d spent some of the best nights of her life in. “And it’s still early.”

  “Well, we might need to make use of the RV for a few more months.” He had an odd sound in his voice. Like he was up to something.

  “Does that mean you are planning on sticking around for the summer? You’re not just here to make a deal and run back to your fancy lifestyle in LA?”

  “No. I’m through with that life. I’m here to stay. If you’ll let me?” He smiled tentatively, hopefully.

  “I’m sorry I got so upset this morning.”

  “I should have been more up front with everyone. Especially you.”

  “Hey, I was supposed to be just a one-night stand.” She shrugged, trying to act like her heart wasn’t shattered in pieces just a few hours ago.

  “I never expected you.” He stopped next to her Jeep, brushing a strand of her hair off her face. “I never expected to feel like this. It’s like you showed me a whole new world. A whole new way of life.”

  “Yeah, this is the glamorous life.” She looked down at her worn shorts, her faded T-shirt, her well-worn river sandals. “It’s not just about running the rapids and showing off your muscles.”

  “I know. It’s about scrubbing the dishes and keeping the raccoons out of the lunch. Filling the water bottles and emptying the groover. It’s about making sure everything is picked up, packed up, and put in place for the next trip. Being ready for anything, whether it’s high water, low branches, or rattlesnakes.” He took both her hands in his.

  “Yeah. We try not to mention the snakes.” She shuddered just thinking about that snake. “But there are also girls in bikinis.”

  “There’s only one girl—one woman—I’m interested in.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “The one who charms snakes, rescues dads, and—”

  “I changed a diaper today.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah. I picked up Brandon, changed his diaper, and lived to tell about it.”

  “I love you.” He rested his forehead against hers and she knew she didn’t need to be afraid anymore.

  “I love you, too.” She barely got the words out before Kyle pulled her closer, covering her mouth with his, devouring her with one of his bone-melting kisses.

  “Good. Now I want to show you something.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen it. Seen it. Touched it…” Tried to taste it.

  “Not that. Although, if you’re a go
od girl, maybe later.” He opened the passenger door to her Jeep and helped her up before going around to slide in behind the wheel. “No. I want to show you something that I hope you’ll really like.”

  “A surprise?”

  “Yeah. A big one. But I think it will be something we can build on. Literally.”

  She looked over at him, but he just shook his head, chuckling softly as he started the engine.

  They drove over the river and up Cody’s driveway. But instead of stopping and parking behind Miranda’s Prius, he took a sharp turn through the dirt and onto the adjoining property. In a wide meadow with fresh tire tracks, he stopped. He turned off the ignition and grinned at her.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  “I’m not sure.” She sat back, wondering if he’d lost his mind. They’d just had a large lunch. Surely he didn’t think a picnic was a good idea.

  He hopped out and came around to her door. “Come on, let’s look around.”

  “Um, this isn’t part of the resort. Or even Cody’s land.”

  “I know. But it could be something special.”

  He led her down to the water.

  “We could start our own company. Launching daily from right here.” He sounded excited. He turned and pointed to the meadow. “And we could set up picnic tables and maybe even a small campground here.”

  He started walking up a small hill.

  “But this is the best part.” He led her to a flat area overlooking the river and the meadow and the wildflowers. “I thought we’d put our house here.”

  “Our house?” Her heart thudded, drowning out the sound of the river below.

  “Well, we’d probably have to stay in the RV for a few months, during construction, but yeah. I thought this would be a good place to build a house together. A life together.”

  Her legs gave way and she slumped to the ground. Kyle dropped down next to her.

  “We can do this.” He pulled her onto his lap. “We can make all our dreams come true. What do you say? Are you ready to dive in with me?”

  She wanted to say something. Words stuck in her throat. Tears sprung to her eyes. Her heart hammered even harder. How did she go from being the girl no one even noticed was female to this? This man offering up the whole world, and the river below?

  * * * *

  He’d blown it. He’d gone too far. Too fast. Instead of joyful acceptance, Fisher had slunk to her knees and become mute.

  “I’m sorry.” He leaned back, expecting her to run off. Instead, she slid off his lap and sat in the dirt next to him. “I guess I haven’t changed all that much. The first sign of trouble and I go waving my checkbook trying to buy my way back into your heart.”

  “You’d really buy all this? For me?”

  “For us.” Kyle had made a plan. And it was a good plan. He couldn’t work for his brothers forever. Not if he wanted to give Fisher more than just a good time.

  “So instead of buying your brothers’ company, you want to start your own?”

  “Yeah. I mean, our own company.” Kyle exhaled. “Look, I talked to Cody about it, and he’s the one who told me about this place. Sure, there would be some competition, but we would also work together. Helping each other out with overbookings or borrowing guides in a pinch.”

  “It wasn’t that long ago the two of you could barely tolerate each other.”

  “You were right. I just needed to give him a chance.” Kyle gave her hand a small squeeze. “And he needed to give me a chance. But he will kick my ass if you don’t fall in love with this idea.”

  He grinned wildly and she punched him playfully in the shoulder.

  “So what do you say?” Kyle hoped for the best.

  “I don’t know.” She looked around, as if it was a lot to take in.

  “I’ve been told I can be a little impulsive.”

  “You think?”

  “Look, Fisher, I just happen to be the kind of person who sees what he wants and goes after it. Especially when I know how amazing it can be.”

  “And I’m the kind of person who puts off making a decision for fear of making the wrong one.” Fisher leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees. “I only went to grad school because I didn’t know what kind of job I wanted after college.”

  “I thought you have the job you want.”

  “I do love the river.” She sighed. “But a lot of people think I’m wasting my education.”

  “Do you feel like you’re wasting your time? Because your opinion is the most important one.”

  She looked down at the river.

  “Fisher, what if you ran your own business? Would that make you feel like you were putting your degree to good use?”

  “It’s not a business degree. I don’t know anything about business.” She was still hesitant.

  “I don’t have a degree, but I do know how businesses work. You know the river and this area and the clientele. Let me worry about things like permits and advertising and start-up costs.”

  “You really think we’d make a good team?” Hope bubbled up in her voice.

  “I know we would.”

  “You’re willing to move here, away from your old life? Away from your family?”

  “Yes. Besides, most of my family is here. And I have a feeling my father will be spending more time up here. Thanks to you.”

  “Do you really think you guys can all get along? I mean, I know one lunch isn’t going to fix everything, but I do hope it’s a step forward.”

  “It will take time, but that’s okay.” He had a good reason to try. “We have time. It will take at least a year to get the business up and running. Probably several months to design and build our dream house.”

  She was quiet for a long time. Almost too long.

  “You’d give me this?” Her voice was thick with emotion. “A house? A rafting company of my own?”

  “Yes. All of it.” He’d give her more if he could. The entire Sierra Nevada mountain range, all the rivers and lakes and the whole damned Pacific.

  “What could I possibly give you?”

  So many answers floated through his head. A life. A family. A future.

  Before he could narrow it down, she pushed him down on his back and reached for the zipper on his shorts.

  “I know what I can give you.” She gave him a devilish grin and then put her mouth on him.

  Oh dear sweet heaven.

  “Fisher. God. Stop. Stop.” She was killing him.

  “What?” She lifted her head, uncertainty in her voice. “Was it really that bad?”

  “No, baby, it was good. So good.” He owed her, big-time. “It’s just that the Realtor guy will be coming by so I can sign the paperwork. He could drive up any minute.”

  She sat bolt upright and looked around, but there was no sign of Dave. Thankfully.

  Kyle zipped his shorts and sat up. He reached for her, cupping her face in both hands.

  “Fisher, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” He meant it with all his heart.

  “How many of those Strong Blondes did you have?” She teased him, even now, when he was pouring his heart out to her.

  “I only need one. I only need you.”

  “Oh, please.” She blushed and tucked a strand of her long blond hair behind her ear. She rose to her feet and turned once more toward the river.

  “I’m the one who’s begging.” He stood next to her, admiring the view, but admiring the woman even more. “You warned me the first night we met that you’d knock me flat on my back. You also told me that this was a good place to find myself.”

  “I didn’t realize you were lost.” She turned and met his gaze, so much love shining in her eyes.

  “Neither did I, but you helped me realize that I’d spent so many years trying to make a living that it didn’t
occur to me that I didn’t have a life.”

  “And now?”

  “Now, I want to build a life with you.”

  “I suppose we could build a life together and make a living while we’re at it.” She put her arms around his neck and pressed her luscious body against his. “It could be pretty good.”

  “Life with you will be very good.” He kissed her then, kissed her with everything he had, knowing that this was just the beginning.

  In case you missed it, here’s an excerpt from book one in the Swift River Romance series:

  SWEPT AWAY

  Carson Swift may look exactly like his twin brother Cody, but they’re as different as tie dye and camouflage. Reliable, responsible, and usually the designated driver, Carson is also over being his brother’s keeper, but suddenly his plans to break free are complicated by the woman they fish out of Hidden Creek . . .

  Lily Price is not your typical damsel in distress. Infidelity, infertility, and downsizing provide a triple threat to her ego, but falling into the swollen river nearly ends her life. If not for the handsome stranger—make that two handsome strangers—she might not have had a chance at having a baby by any means necessary . . .

  As Carson helps Lily overcome her fear of the river, she helps him save his rafting business from going under. She also saves him from abandoning all that is important to him in order to get a taste of freedom. Together they find that love is the ultimate adventure.

  A Lyrical e-book on sale now.

  Learn more about Kristina at

  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/30540

  Chapter 1

  “Man this water’s really pumping.” Carson Swift hiked a few steps ahead of his twin brother, Cody. His feet landed firmly on the familiar trail to Hidden Creek, but his thoughts were a million miles away. Make that eight hundred miles, give or take, depending on whether he took Highway 50 or Interstate 80 through Nevada. “With the water this high, I don’t think we’ll catch a lot of fish.”

  “Good thing we have steaks in the fridge.” You’d think he was nine, not twenty-nine, by the way Cody trotted along excitedly, skittering small bits of gravel along the well-worn path. He was too damn happy with his life. “We’re not pulling anything out of the river today.”