Lilli held Bo’s hands tight as she kicked her legs behind her splashing water so high it was sprinkling Nora on the dock.
It was a month later, late October, but still very hot in Texas. Branding was done, fences repaired, cattle to market, and everything ready for the winter months. The annual Buchanan Barbeque was scheduled for the next day. The ranch had been a busy place; but, finally, Bo had time to get away with his family. He took them to the lake on the eastern side of the ranch where Lilli and Bo played in the water while Nora enjoyed the sun.
“See, Mommy? See? I’m shwimming!”
“Yes, you are!” Nora acknowledged. “Good job, Sweet Pea!”
At that moment, Lilli’s head dipped under the water. She came up wide-eyed and sputtering. Bo pulled her into his arms, laughing at her expression.
“My nose! I don’t like dat!” she complained to her daddy.
“Oh. You’re alright. Daddy had you the whole time.”
She clung to his neck with a frown. Bo leaned his head against hers and returned the frown. Blue eyes met and they giggled.
“Whose girl are you,” Bo asked quietly.
“Daddy’s geerl,” she whispered back.
“I knew it!” Bo said holding her tight. “You hear that, Mommy? She’s Daddy’s girl!”
Nora’s mouth popped open in mock surprise, “Lillikins! I thought you were my girl!”
Lilli giggled. This was a game they played often. Before the game could continue, Nora said, “Here comes Tom’s truck. How did he know we were here?”
“I told Maggie we would be swimming. Guess she told him,” Bo answered.
The truck doors opened and Tom, Helen, and their children tumbled out. Tom was carrying a picnic basket which he handed to Helen as he shouted to Bo.
“Mama told me I was supposed to deliver this picnic out here before we ran to town. Helen and I are taking the kids for an ice cream cone...wondered if Miss Lilli would like to go.”
“I wanna go!” Lilli shouted.
“Hand her to me, Bo. I’ll change her into dry clothes,” Nora told him. Bo placed Lilli on the dock where Nora dressed her as quickly as you can dress a bouncing two-year-old.
“Sit down now so I can put your shoes on, Sweetie,” Nora said, “and make sure you listen to Mr. Tom and Miss Helen...and be good!” Nora finished giving Lilli a quick kiss before she slipped from her arms.
“I will!” Lilli shouted as she ran down the dock to the shore.
As the truck pulled away, Nora and Bo noticed the picnic basket sitting on a blanket on the soft grass under a tree.
Nora looked at Bo who was still in the water beside the dock.
“Was this your idea, Bo Buchanan?” she asked smiling and raising a brow at him.
He came closer where her feet dangled over the edge of the dock.
“No, but I wish I could claim credit for it...it was a great idea,” he said beginning to massage her feet. “But, the down side is...now I’ve lost my swimming buddy…” he said giving Nora a sideways glance.
She grinned knowingly. “Oh no…no, no, no,” she said shaking her head. “I can already see where this is heading, Bo Buchanan, and the answer is ‘no’.”
He raised his hands in a helpless gesture and gave her an innocent look.
“What? You don’t want me to be lonely, do you?” he asked moving the massage from her feet up to her calves.
“No. You don’t have to be lonely. You can join me here on the dock!” Nora quipped.
His hands moved up to caress her thighs.
“Bo...” she sighed.
“Come on, honey...it’s so warm...it’s like bathwater. And it’s not deep. I’m standing right here and it’s only up to my chest…”
“I’m not afraid of the water, Bo. You know I can swim. It’s not the water at all...it’s the...things...that may be in the water...the fish and...stuff,” she said motioning with her hand and making a face.
“Honey...there are no fish…”
“Oh please!” She held up a hand to stop the ridiculous line he was trying to sell her. “Do not even try to tell me there are no fish in this lake! I am not falling for that!”
“You act like you don’t trust me, honey.”
“I don’t!” she responded. “Remember when you talked me into getting into that creek and there were...those... things in there?!”
“Tadpoles, honey. They weren’t fish though. And there aren’t any fish or tadpoles in here. I promise. Would these eyes lie to you?” he asked giving her an innocent look.
She laughed. He knew she was weakening.
“Red, really! I haven’t seen a fish or felt a fish nibble since I’ve been in here. Lilli’s squealing scared them all away…” He ran his hands up the sides of her thighs. “Come on in. Come on…”
She sighed. “Bo….”
“Please...I’ll make it worth your while…” he said softly still caressing her thighs.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him.
“You doubt that?” he asked her.
“No.” She said shaking her head. “I don’t doubt that at all.”
“Well then? Come on…” he encouraged softly.
“Oh, alright.” She sighed and slid to the edge of the dock. “But if there are any fish…”
“I’ll protect you from any big, bad fish,” he said quietly as she she put her arms around his neck and slid into the water.
When her feet hit the bottom of the lake, they immediately bounced up again.
“Ohhhh!” she squealed. “Bo Buchanan!” She gripped him tight and wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Wha-at?!” he asked laughing.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the mud! Ewww!” she grimaced. “It squished all the way over my feet and between my toes…”
He held her tight and continued laughing. “What did you expect? It’s not a swimming pool!”
She gave him a look. “Well….just for that, Mister, you’re going to have to carry me because I am not putting my feet down again!”
“Okay,” he grinned leaning his head against hers and looking into her eyes as she had seen him do with their daughter just moments before. Finally she smiled back. He turned his head and leaned in until his mouth found hers; soft, moist, and inviting. Nora wrapped her arms more tightly around his neck. Their kisses grew in intensity leaving them both breathless and wanting more.
Bo pulled back a moment and said, “So...was I right?”
“About what,” she murmured still playing with his hair, eyes focused on his lips, still planting kisses on them.
“About the water...it’s like bathwater, isn’t it?” he asked quietly.
“What water?” she whispered claiming his mouth again. While she was focused on his mouth, he was focused on how her legs were wrapped tightly around him. It was more than he could bear. He carried her out of the water and to the blanket waiting for them under the tree where he laid her down beneath him smothering her mouth and neck with passionate kisses. When he began to unfasten her swimsuit, she stopped him.
“Wait, wait, wait....” she said breathlessly.
“Wait for what?” he murmured against her neck.
“Bo…” She pushed against his chest and tried to look around. “Are you sure we’re alone? What if someone comes?....”
“No one is around...they’re all busy getting ready for tomorrow,” he said quietly continuing his quest. “Come on…” His mouth found hers again. There was no turning back. She wanted him as well and rose to meet him eagerly.
It wasn’t until after their lovemaking while they lay talking in each others’ arms that they heard it...the soft whinny of a horse in the distance.
“Did you hear that?” Nora asked.
“Yes,” was his alert response. He sat up quickly and pulled on his swim shorts. Then he threw his side of the blanket over Nora.
“Here. Wrap up in this and stay low,” he told her.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Just going to look around...not far.” He stood to his feet and walked toward the lakeshore where he panned the horizon. He couldn’t see a horse anywhere, but they undeniably heard one...and they undeniably heard the pounding of hooves as a horse ran through the distant woods...