Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

B ailey looked up at the sky. This had the potential to be the first bad thunderstorm of the season. Yes, it was time to get back home. She watched as Nate walked over and helped Jordan down from the tall rock he was balanced on.

"Lead the way, Seth," Bailey instructed, knowing full well her son would be happy to take on the challenge.

He scrambled to the ground, picked up his walking stick, and started back the way they'd come. "Come on, Jordan. Let's go!"

What began as a light rain quickly turned to a downpour minutes later. Even the boys, who'd originally laughed and splashed in the puddles, looked like half-drowned puppies. Minnie kept her head down, ears tucked close, and trotted down the path as quickly as Nate would allow her.

At first, Bailey had tried to use her arms to keep the rain off her face. There was no use anymore, though. The weight of her wet hair caused it to fall out of its bun. Cold strands of hair clung to her cheeks.

She laughed. "Well, they wanted an adventure. "

Nate looked over at her, humor in his dark eyes. "I like that you're not annoyed by this."

"Why be upset? We desperately needed rain. Seth will probably remember this forever, and it's been a welcome break from everything else that's been going on."

Her shoe hit a slick spot. She gasped as she lost her balance. Nate's arm shot out and wrapped around her waist, halting her fall.

"Are you okay?" His warm breath brushed against her cheek as he slowly released her, moving his grasp to her hand. Minnie walked over and licked her free one in concern.

Thankfully, Seth and Jordan stopped ahead to wait for them.

"I'm good. Thank you for that." Bailey took a step forward and nearly slipped again. She tightened her grip on his hand to keep her balance as she picked her way through the muddy spot to the rockier part of the path.

The cool rain had effectively chilled her to the core. The only part of her that didn't feel cold was the hand that Nate continued to hold in his. The sensation sent butterflies zigzagging in her stomach, which immediately brought feelings of confusion and guilt. She didn't know what to make of her recent attraction toward Nate. All she knew was that a part of her hoped he wouldn't let go.

Except she was being ridiculous. He was simply trying to give her extra stability as they hurried back to her house, nothing more. Which meant her reaction to it made no sense whatsoever.

Her cheeks warmed, and she was thankful for the cold rain that continued to pelt her face.

As soon as they climbed the steps to the covered porch at the front of her house, Nate released her hand. She unlocked the door.

Nate shook his arms and ran a hand through his short hair. "Minnie is a muddy mess. I'll sit out here with her while you take care of the boys. Then, if you'll bring me an old towel, I'll get her cleaned up before we come inside."

Bailey told the boys to wait on the mat just inside the house and turned to look at Nate. "Aren't you freezing? It'll take me a few minutes to get this under control."

"I'm good. Truly. It's not nearly as cold now that we're out of the rain." He gave her an encouraging smile and tipped his head toward the door. "Go get the boys into some dry clothes."

"Okay. I'll be right back." Man, she hated to leave him standing out there. It might not be as bad now that he was out of the rain, but if he was even half as chilled as she was, he had to be miserable. "Take your shoes off here, guys, and then we'll go upstairs and change into some warm pajamas."

Seth managed his own clothes in the bathroom while Bailey helped Jordan get out of his wet clothing and into his pajamas. "When you two are done, I want you to play up here until I come get you. Then I'll make us some soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."

Both of her sons whooped with excitement, bringing a smile to her face.

She grabbed several towels from the bathroom and hurried downstairs. She stepped onto the porch just in time to catch droplets of water as Minnie shook herself.

"I'm so sorry." Nate reached for a towel and began to rub it up and down the dog's body. "I may have to carry her into the bathroom and wash the mud off, but at least I can keep her from dripping across your floor on the way in."

"It's fine. I don't think that's going to make my clothes any wetter." Bailey chuckled as Minnie started to rub her sides against the towel in Nate's hand. "She's too smart for her own good."

"That she is." Nate stood and stepped on Minnie's leash while he grabbed for another towel, but instead of using it to dry his own hair, he wrapped it around Bailey's shoulders. "You're shivering."

Was she? Now that he mentioned it, she sure was, but she hadn't even noticed until then. She gathered the two corners of the towel together in one hand below her chin.

"Thank you." The words were barely above a whisper.

Nate gathered some of the wet hair that was pressed against her cheek and gently swept it behind her ear. "You're welcome." His voice sounded deeper than normal.

Instead of dropping his hand, it slipped into the hair at the base of her neck until he was cupping the back of her head.

Bailey's heart caught in her throat as her pulse thundered in her ears. The sound of Minnie shaking herself and the falling rain faded away. The porch light illuminated his dark eyes, and there was no missing the interest there that mingled with uncertainty.

As though it had a mind of its own, her free hand rested against his chest. She felt his heart racing beneath her palm through his rain-soaked shirt.

In a single motion, Nate dipped his head and touched his lips to hers in a whisper of a kiss. The sensations made her head spin. She grasped his shirt to keep herself grounded and leaned into him as she lifted her chin. He drew her closer, kissing her again, this time with an intensity that took her breath away.

The reality of what was happening crashed into her, and her heart twisted painfully in her chest. She abruptly stepped away from him and inhaled with a gasp.

"Bailey, I—" His face morphed into a combination of fear and worry, but it was the flash of regret that caused confusion to course through her veins.

He reached out for her, but she shook her head.

"I need to check on the boys. Make sure they got dressed and that their muddy things aren't soaking into the carpet." She took several steps backward and hit the doorframe with her heel. "The downstairs bathroom is all yours. Soap and more towels are in the cabinet under the sink." Her own words sounded foreign to her ears, as though she were listening to them echo back from the other end of a long hallway.

With that, she turned and escaped into the house, swallowing back a sob.