“For now? Yes. Now, go grab your bathing suit and meet me outside at the truck.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Bathing suit?”
“You did bring one, didn’t you?”
“Well, yeah, I did. I mean, I thought maybe at some point I would be able to go swimming in the river, but with all the work I just haven’t had time to go yet.”
“Well, hurry up and grab it so we can go.”
“That’s what your big plans are?”
“Oh, darlin’, there’s more than that.”
I ran down the hall to grab my bathing suit. I was excited to see Colt shirtless again. I would be able to admire his muscles once more. I pulled the bathing suit out from my underwear drawer and ran out to meet Colt. He was leaning against his truck, the biggest smile on his face. I threw my bathing suit inside.
“We need to go check on the horses before we leave. I checked on the cattle when I was there helping my dad load up the calves, so that’s not a concern.”
“Okay. Let’s giddy up, cowboy.”
I winked at him and took off running leisurely toward the barn. I could hear him behind me, the sounds of his boots thumping against the ground. Colt brought so much excitement into my life. It was something I didn’t know I needed. I stopped inside the barn, pressing my back against a stall door. Colt slowed when he saw me, and he slowly made his way nearer. He leaned in, and I kissed him first, a change from our usual. I pulled back and grabbed the shovel. He looked a little confused, and I must admit, it was kind of cute seeing him like that…wanting more.
“Come on, cowboy. I can’t get you all distracted, or we’ll never make it to go swimming.”
He waited another second to make sure I was serious, then grabbed another shovel and started helping me. Once we finished cleaning out the stalls, I took on the task of feeding while Colt did the watering. We made a good team.
“I think that’s it.” He looked around at the horses, taking both our shovels and putting them back against the wall.
“One more thing.” I walked over to him and planted another kiss on his lips. His hands started to move around my waist, and that’s when I stepped back again.
“Oh, come on.” Teasing Colt was more fun than I expected.
“We have places to be, cowboy.” I took his hand in mine, and we walked to his truck.
* * *
The sun was out, and the warmth of the day was wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. I stood at the water’s edge, listening to the sounds of the water gently flowing. Colt ruffled his hair and moved closer to jump in.
“Come on, Daisy!” He splashed water in my direction, holding that large smile on his face. I felt a few cool drops against my skin, and I couldn’t resist any longer. I had to join him. I waded in and let the water cool me off. I shivered at first, but I quickly started warming up with the sun's rays hitting the water.
I submerged myself completely for a moment, then rose up and wiped the water off my face while flipping my hair back. I swam closer to Colt, wanting to be near him. Once I was close enough, he reached out for my hand and pulled me into him. Our bodies met, and everything faded away. We were two crazy kids swimming in the river, just like all those years ago.
? ? ?
Colt and I were in the river, cooling off from the summer heat. This summer felt different than others. It wasn’t because we were both teens- me sixteen and him fourteen. It was because I was trying to balance the complexities of my feelings, knowing that our friendship was as strong as ever, but the fluttering feelings inside of me were more.
We were at one of our favorite spots. This part of the river was surrounded by trees, some leaning over the water slightly. The breeze passing through lifted the scent of the wildflowers.
My hair was in a tight bun- my attempt to cool off the best I could before Colt suggested we go for a swim to beat the heat. I took it down, dropping the hair tie on the ground beside me. Colt dove in first, and I stood at the river’s edge, admiring how the droplets glistened off his sun-kissed skin.
“Come on, Daisy! The water’s fine!” His words were playful, and the water looked so inviting.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling both excited and nervous. Colt and I have always been friends. He’s really my only friend, at least the only one I share anything real with or hang out with outside of school. Lately, though, I had started to see Colt in a different light.
His laughter.
His smile.
The way his eyes sparkled in the sun.
