On the other side of the rocks, water sprang from the ground and spilled off a ledge into a large blue pool. At the end of the pool, it seeped back into the ground between some more rocks. It was an unlikely spot for water, and unless someone knew the area, they could pass within a hundred feet of it and not know it was there.
They knelt and drank from the cool spring.
She glanced up at Bordeaux. "Can we swim in it?"
"Why not?"
He shucked his boots and waded into the water. He ducked under the water and came up, wiping the water from his eyes and pushing his hair back. "What are you waiting for?"
"In my clothes?"
He laughed. "They need washed, too, don't they?" His eyes twinkled with mischief. "But if you'd rather take them off, go ahead. I won't be offended."
She pulled her boots off and waded into the cool water.
"Oh, this is so nice."
The bottom was solid rock covered with fine sand. She leaned back and held her nose as she completely immersed herself. She pulled the pins from her hair and scrubbed it and then wiped the rivulets of water from her face. She turned her back on Bordeaux and pulled her shirt from her pants, unbuttoning it so that the water could reach the sweat stained area under her breasts. The water felt delightful. She buttoned the shirt back and turned to Bordeaux, who had removed his shirt and was making a show of washing it, his glistening back to her. She admired his magnificent back and shoulders and then looked away. She was taking liberties he had been gentleman enough to resist.
He waded out of the water and laid his socks and shirt on a rock in the sun to dry. His wet pants clung to his legs. Too late she realized that her shirt would do the same. She folded her arms across her chest and waded out of the water.
His eyes were twinkling again. She turned away from him, pulling the shirt away from her chest. It wouldn't take long to dry in this heat.
"Did you hear anything about Pete and the guys?" She asked over her shoulder.
"No. I can only assume that they made it to Ashley. They might be the ones that sent the cavalry our way. We'll know by tomorrow night."
She turned, eagerly absorbing his information. "You mean we're that close?"
He smiled, his gaze absently dropping to her clinging shirt.
"That close."
His gaze lifted to hers and he smiled as he noted the rising color in her cheeks. He stepped forward and reached for her, but she took a step back. The memory of her weakness for him was all too fresh.