Hunter

Despite her head start, he easily passed Izabelle and waited for her on the sandbar. Emerging from the water, he laughed and shook his head, enjoying the race more than he should. She was already too reckless and needed no encouragement.

Scanning the water, he spotted the little fish. She was a good swimmer, he'd give her that, but she wasn't strong enough to take a grown man. Hunter waited, admiring her sleek, Olympic-worthy strokes as she effortlessly swam through the water.

She was also a cheater, not even taking a moment to slip out of the dress or cover up whatever women called it, that she was wearing. It was almost like she didn't want to undress around him. He hadn't missed her shy glances when she thought he wasn't looking or the pretty pink blushes that intrigued him.

Who was he kidding? Clearly himself. Every single thing about Izabelle intrigued him, and captured his interest like no one before. Izabelle was a fascinating mix of contradictions—beautiful but guarded, sweet but determined, quirky but interesting. She said the most outlandish things but there was an innocence about her that brought out his protective instincts.

Izabelle was about ten feet from the sandbar when she suddenly went under. His breath froze in his lungs.

Hunter ran, diving into the water and moving with steady, powerful strokes. He'd almost reached her when the little fish burst from the water, her beautiful head tossed back in laughter. He watched stunned. She had the audacity to splash him right before she dived back into the water.

He was relieved. He was furious! Didn't she know how worried he'd be? He took off after her but she easily reached the shore before him, all too pleased with her prank. She was cheered as he sloshed from the water!

Stalking toward her, he scooped her up and lifted her high in his arms. She squealed in protest, half-laughing as he dumped her into the water.

"Hunter!" she cried, popping her head up. "No fair!"

"I thought something happened to you." He scooped her up and tossed her again. "Haven't you heard the story of the boy who cried wolf?"

"Must have been before my time," she replied saucily, eyes sparkling. Watching him, some of the light dimmed from her eyes. He wanted it back.

They spoke at the same time.

"Izabelle—"

"Are you mad?" she asked, trudging from the water, which was no easy feat with that heavy dress.

She stumbled. He reached out and caught her, shocked at the zing that shot up his arm. His answer came out harsher than he intended. "You scared me."

Her lips parted, and she appeared wary. His arm was still around her waist, and her fingers stroked his skin. He wasn't sure she was aware of what she was doing.

"You are mad."

"Furious." His tone contradicted his answer.

Turning, she looked up at him with those dark blue eyes at the same time he dipped his head. Their faces were close. She made a breathy sound and he released her, shaking off the heat that surged within.

They stood there for countless moments. Staring at one another.

He cleared his throat.

Izabelle stiffened and blushed. "I guess I should apologize."

Her eyes flicked to his and his reply came out gruffer than intended. "Yeah, you should. I'm waiting."

She lowered her head, contrite, and he felt like a bully. He frowned, trying to come up with an apology, but she lifted her head and flashed him a cheeky smile.

"I never thought you'd be intimidated by a strong woman."

He blinked. "You cheated."

"You're bigger and stronger. A head start was only fair." She narrowed her gaze seeming to gauge the distance from the sandbar to the shore. "Ok, we can try again. This time we start together. What should we bet?"

He folded his arms peering down at her, not missing how quickly she spoke as if she was nervous. "No more bets."

"Afraid you'll lose?" Izzy taunted.

He was about to answer when she reached out, probably intending to give him a shove but he took her in his arms and hauled her against him.

She gasped.

He might have groaned.

Izabelle stared up at him with parted lips. His gaze caught on her mouth for a few seconds before he came to his senses.

Hunter released quickly. Too quickly. She fell back, and his arm shot out to catch her, encircling her waist and drawing her against him. They were where back where we'd started. On dangerous ground.

"Hunter."

The sound of his name on her lips woke him up. He released her. Again. This time he stepped back.

A pretty pink blush stained her cheeks. Her chest rose and fell with her breaths and wet hair stuck to her face. "Do you do this often?"

He stared. Frolic in the lake with a beautiful woman I had no business thinking about? "I'm usually working."

She gazed up at him. "All fun and no play?"

"Obviously not today."

"You look like you're having fun." Her expression was hopeful.

Too much fun. The urge to get away from this sweet woman was strong, but he couldn't shatter the hope shining in her eyes. "This is the most fun I've had—" Ever. "in a while," he finished.

"Maybe our bet will make you smile more often."

He was surprised she'd put it out there like that, but he agreed. "Spending time with you has that effect on me."

Her lips parted and she stared up at him like he'd handed her a few stars from the sky. "Really? I make you smile?"

He was confused. Wasn't that what they were talking about?

"I meant when I find you your love match," she added.

"Right. Me too. That's what I meant." He could care less about her finding him a date, but he was starting to like her too much.

Hunter quickly changed the subject feeling the sting of rejection. "We'll have to get busy with those lists."

She shifted, dipping her fingers in the water. Her smooth forehead crinkled in concentration. "Yes. Fair warning, I already got a Bible from my brother."

"Yeah, you showed me."

She wanted him, of all people, to help her understand the Bible! That should be reason enough for him to steer clear of her. Anna had once asked him to read the Bible with her. It had changed her life—both of their lives.

They swam back to the bank together, and he thought about the ridiculous wager. If he ever needed God, it was now. A Bible Study was beginning to hold great appeal.

She brought it up after we dried off and settled down to fish. One minute they were laughing and talking, the next she turns and asks without warning, "Do you know what's wrong with this Christian thing?"

Assuming it was a rhetorical question, he waited.

She cast a line and turned. "If Jesus was really the Son of God, why didn't he save himself?"

"He paid the price of our sins so we wouldn't have to." The words came automatically.

Her eyes lit up like he had handed her the keys to heaven. "I knew you were going to say that. All Christians repeat that like it's the mystery to life."

It is.

He sat up straighter and glanced around. The two words had been whispered in his ear. Nah, he was losing my mind. Izzy's small, soft hand covered his and he felt her touch like a jolt.

"Hunter?"

"Sorry. I thought I heard something."

"God?"

Maybe, but he wasn't going there with her. Not tonight. Izabelle was genuinely curious and, surprisingly, he wanted to answer her questions. "You don't understand why Jesus had to die."

"No, I don't. God wouldn't have to sacrifice his only son. He could do whatever he wants. Why didn't he just forgive everyone and call it a day?"

"Sin separates us from God. Because God is holy and righteous, a price must be paid for sin. Jesus was the only one without sin, which is why God let him bear the weight of ours."

He watched the play of emotions on her face, as she processed what he'd and tried to understand. "Do you really believe that?"

"Yeah, I do, Izzy," he answered, once again surprising even himself.

She shivered and he handed her his shirt. "Here, put this on."

"Thanks. I can't believe the temperature dropped so fast. October is fickle in Texas."

He liked seeing her in his shirt more than he should.

"Hunter, if I want to read the Bible—I'm not saying I do, but if I did should I start with the beginning?"

"I'd start with the Book of John."

"John," she whispered, thoughtfully. "I have no idea where to find it, but I'll try."

Two small, white teeth caught her bottom lip as she considered what she said. She looked adorable. "I'll help you."

"You will?" Her smile kicked him in the chest. "I appreciate that, but It's probably time to head back." She sounded disappointed.

"It is getting late," he said, reeling in his line. "Hey, you caught more fish than me. Three bass."

"I can fry them tomorrow if you want to come over." Her eyes widened expectantly. "We can talk about our prospective dates and you can help me find John." She looked suddenly uncertain. "You probably already have plans."

"I'd like to have dinner with you." He'd like it more if she'd forget about lists and finding him a date but Hunter wasn't turning her down.

He was rewarded with another radiant smile. Trembling, she folded her arms over her middle.

"You're still cold."

"No, I'm good." Her eyes darted about anxiously like she expected something to jump out at her.

"You're still scared." I took the poles from her and put them in the SUV. "I won't let anything hurt you."

"I believe you, Captain Donovan." Her slender throat muscles worked as she swallowed. "You're probably not afraid of anything, are you?" she whispered, staring up at him like he was a better man than he was.

The single word was out before I could check it. "You."