Chapter 13 #3
Natalie’s train of thought shattered as she turned the boat toward the dock and—oh, no—this could not be!
Baby Bear was running wildly with Mrs. Tinsdale chasing far behind.
The leading string dragged behind the pup, who easily caught sight of Natalie, his mama, out on the lake.
With a new purpose and destination, Baby Bear ran to the end of the dock and took a flying leap into the water.
He sank like a stone.
Acting on pure instinct, Natalie threw herself into the water, kicking desperately to reach her tiny puppy. She didn’t feel the wet or the cold. Her Baby Bear had disappeared under the water and Natalie needed to find him, now!
Frantically reaching through the murky water, Natalie grasped the leading string and pulled the puppy to the surface for air.
In doing so, however, she lost the buoyancy her arms would have provided.
She attempted to kick to keep herself from going under, but her dress had wound itself tightly around her legs.
She felt her first moment of fear when she swallowed a mouthful of water instead of air. Oh, no! If she went down, then so would Baby Bear. Her feet were bare, but as hard as she tried to kick herself free of her skirts, they gave no mercy.
And then strong hands grabbed her.
In one sweeping gush, she burst above the surface of the water.
She gasped and coughed as her deprived lungs sought to replenish themselves.
Baby Bear was kicking and squirming, reaching his little black nose out of the water.
Only when an arm wrapped itself around her ribcage did she become aware of the security of a very solid chest behind her head.
“Don’t struggle with me. Relax and lean back. I’ve got you.”
Garrett’s voice. His deep, gravelly command infused incredible relief.
Trusting completely, Natalie tilted her head back and rested it on his shoulder. He would pull them to safety. Baby Bear crawled up her front and tucked his nose under her chin.
“That’s my girl,” he said. “Keep your head back just like that, sweetheart.” His voice reassured her as he used his other arm and his legs to pull them toward the shore. His breath caressed her nape when he spoke.
The rhythm of Garrett’s movements changed when his feet touched bottom.
Not releasing her, he slogged both of them to the water’s edge.
When they reached the shore, Natalie collapsed on the ground in relief, Garrett’s arm still around her.
He breathed heavily, whether from his exertions or the panic of the last few moments, Natalie did not know.
Like a rag doll, she sprawled helplessly face down on the shore.
They both lay beached in the mud and slime accumulated there until Garrett rolled her over and studied her in concern.
“You are unhurt?” His voice sounded strained.
She could not answer right away. His gaze was mesmerizing.
She liked feeling this close to him. Being held by Garrett Castleton felt safe.
It felt right. She wanted to tuck her face into his neck and leave it there forever.
The spell couldn’t last, however, as she was gradually aware that her precipitous leap had been witnessed by all her mother’s guests.
Concerned bystanders were about to descend upon them mercilessly.
Baby Bear added to the mayhem when he began barking and yelping frantically.
He was very protective.
But Natalie could not look away from Garrett. His gaze burned with emotions she did not understand—tenderness, and then fear, and…anger.
“I shall live,” she quipped. His expression remained serious—too serious. In an attempt to tease him into a lighter mood, she smiled hesitantly and added, “Good day for a swim, don’t you think?”
Garrett merely shook his head, and a dark scowl appeared.
Pushing himself away from her, he now rested on his heels. His expression lacked any amusement whatsoever. Shuddering, he took a deep breath and then scrubbed his hands over his face.
“What,” he growled through gritted teeth, “in bloody hell was that all about?” All tenderness had been replaced with fury. “You did not see Riverton had reached out to pull…Baby Bear…out of the water? You risk life and limb for a…for a…What the hell is that animal anyway?”
Natalie suddenly felt the cold.
“Hush,” she said. She reached for Baby Bear and pulled him close.
The little pup stopped barking and was now shivering from head to tail.
Natalie placed some reassuring kisses on the dog’s head just as her mother arrived and, in a frantic motion, threw a blanket about her shoulders.
Did her mother not see that half of her person remained in the water?
“Natalie! You scared me to death! Why ever would you jump into the water like that?” She looked over her shoulder and gestured for one of Natalie’s brothers to come and assist them. Thank God it was Stone. At least he possessed a sense of humor.
“I needed to save my p-p-pup-py.” She shivered.
“Stone,” Lady Ravensdale addressed her son. “Get Natalie inside at once.” She glanced at Natalie where she still lay halfway in the water, very close to Lord Hawthorne, and her lips tightened. “Along with everything else we’ve dealt with, we don’t need your sister falling ill.”
But that was not why her mother flailed in such a panic. Glancing down at her dress, Natalie saw that the pink material had turned transparent from the water. No wonder her mother had thrown the blanket over her!
As Stone swooped her up and away from Lord Hawthorne, Natalie looked back for one last glimpse of her hero.
Although Darlington had tossed a second blanket on the dry ground beside him, he’d made no move toward it.
The poor dear looked poleaxed. But that was not all she noticed.
His white linen shirt, now plastered to his chest, revealed the stark definition of his muscular build.
The sight of a man ought not be able to make a young lady’s mouth water, but what was a girl to do?
It seemed his legs were not the only part of his body so well-honed…