Free Swept Away by Kristina Mathews Page A

our signature trip. But I’ll see you this evening. Say six? I mean, we’ll see you this evening.”
    “Oh right.” Lily barely looked up from her computer. “I almost forgot. I’ll meet you there.”
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Payroll completed, checks signed, and most of the filing complete, Lily left the office feeling satisfied with a job well done. She decided to celebrate her success with a shopping trip to Prospector Springs. She currently owned one pair of shorts and she had a feeling she would have no need for grey suits or black skirts. And two-inch heels? She’d make do with the river sport sandals she’d bought along with her new bathing suit. Comfortable and waterproof. What more could a girl want?
    She bought three pairs of cropped pants, two pairs of khaki shorts, and five cotton blouses. She picked out a couple of sundresses and a pair of flats that would go with pretty much everything, and she suspected her life would change along with her wardrobe. With the exception of the river, life here moved at a much slower pace. Lily could get used to the idea of stopping for lunch when she was hungry. And instead of going to a trendy restaurant, she could eat under a hundred-year-old oak tree.
    She was going to like living here.
    Lily arrived at the bike shop before the guys, so she decided to go ahead and rent a bike. The clerk was helpful and friendly, and she wondered if everyone in Prospector Springs was just as welcoming as the twins. Or maybe she was no longer so worried about making the right impression, so she was the one who was friendlier. Either way, she liked her new community. She felt at home for the first time in her life.
    She was all set with the bike and helmet and was making practice runs around the store when Cody pulled up. Alone. Would Carson drive over in his own truck? Or was this a set-up?
    “Hey, Lily, it looks like you’re all set here.” Cody shouldered a backpack and lifted his bike out of the bed of his pickup truck. “You ready for the ride of your life?”
    “Is Carson meeting us here?” Lily ignored his innuendo. She wondered if he really thought he was clever, or if it was just a bad habit he’d fallen into. “Or is it just the two of us?”
    “He got hung up at the camp. Had a lot of work to do.” A flash of guilt crossed his face, but then he dialed up the charm. “But he said to tell you not to worry. You’ll be in very good hands with me.”
    “Oh really?” Since she’d already paid the bike rental, she figured she might as well go through with it. Maybe she could set him straight. “I have to warn you, I haven’t been on a bike in years. I don’t think spin class counts.”
    “I’m sure you’ll remember what to do.” Cody moved in on her, getting a little too close for her comfort. “And I’ll be here to catch you if you fall.”
    No need to worry about that. He wasn’t her type.
    Lily strapped on her helmet and mounted her bike. It didn’t take long to get a nice rhythm going. It really was a skill that came back, even after years of not riding.
    “Wow, this is a really beautiful trail.” Lily paused to take a sip from her water bottle. She was in pretty good shape for someone who didn’t spend a lot of time outdoors. She had her workout tapes, but she’d left the treadmill behind. She’d left a lot of her old life behind. “It’s hard to believe this is the same river that runs through downtown Sacramento.”
    “Yeah, normally I’d rather be on the river than next to it.” Cody took a long drink of water and glanced over at her, drinking her in. “But it’s worth it just being next to you.”
    “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.” Lily might as well play along. She’d decided it was just his habit. Flirting was his native language.
    “I’ve never brought a date here.” She had a feeling Cody was trying to impress her. “You’re the first.”
    “Where do you usually take your dates?” Lily asked with a playful grin.