I nodded. “Yes, it probably hasn’t made it to Minnesota yet.” I gave her a wink. “But let me assure you, it’s on trend.” My eyes found Gabe as a thankful grin slid across those lips, and I wanted to feel more than I cared to admit.
“I love to be on trend.” Pam grinned.
Katie nodded. “Gishing. Sooo European.”
And that, my friends, is how it’s done.
Thirty minutes later, the whole gang was walking on the ice toward the fishing shack when, out of nowhere, three llama shot around the corner nearly plowing down Dave as he let out a girlie scream while everybody else took off running and yelling. I cackled so hard I may have peed a little.
I looked to my left to see Gabe doubled over laughing again before pointing at me. “There’s fuckery afoot!”
Once we collected everybody, Katie ended up hauling ass into the forest so we had to put together a search and rescue team, but she was quickly located, and we were finally together in the ice shack. It was all smiles as Gabe filled plastic glasses with wine. He brushed past me and secretly skimmed my bottom with his hand, reminding me of the magic in those paws.
“Fern, you got a bite!”
I looked down at my line, and sure as shit, it was being yanked. I reeled it in with much resistance.
“You got it, Fern?” Andrew came up beside me. “He’s a beast.”
“Yes.” I reeled with all my might.
Dave stepped up on the other side of me. “Go, girl!”
Ed pointed. “I see him! He might break the line.”
I could faintly see the fish through the hole in the ice and handed my pole to Dave. “Keep it going!” I dropped to my stomach, shoved my gloved hand into the frigid water, and grabbed the line and pulled. “I’m not losing this Mother Hubbard!”
In a split second, Gabe was on his stomach beside me, helping me pull. I glanced over, with his face inches from mine, and adored the way his hair fell over his brow as he watched the fish just below us. A second later, he held up the fighting fish.
“Way to go!” Pam clapped her hands. “You’re both the winners!”
Gabe got up, extended his hand, and pulled me to my feet. “Nice job, Fern.”
As he looked down at me, I saw how much trouble I was in with a man like Gabe. I knew perfect wouldn’t come around twice.
Remembering the group of people around me, I quickly snatched my hand from his, turned and ran into my brother’s chest. My eyes slowly went up, to see a smiling Dave. Whew.
“Nice one! Is this a keeper or catch and release, Sis?”
I sighed. “Release. He’s too beautiful to keep.”
Pam jumped up as a screechy laugh escaped. “But we need a photo of Fern and this gross fish.”
I stood holding the line and smiled when Dave pushed Gabe toward me. “You were on Team Fern. Get in there.” Yes, he was definitely on Team Fern, no doubt. Bed, dresser, and stairs.
I saw Gabe gulp as he put his arm around my shoulder, and Pam snapped her photo. “Aw, that’s so cute!”
Gabe took the hook out. “Any last words, Fern?”
I yanked off my soaking wet glove and ran my finger down the fish. “Goodbye, little fella.”
Gabe dropped it through the hole as I waved.
Katie groaned and held her fishing pole out toward me. “Can we not use a worm? They’re just yucky. How about a Cheeto or Funyon instead?”
I took the pole and weaved a worm on her hook. “I’ll make sure this bad bitch isn’t going anywhere.”
Katie wrinkled her nose. “Fern, how did you ever learn this disgusting trait? So not girly.”
