Captured by Love (Michigan Brides #3)(19)

“I couldn’t resist.” He laughed at her indignation. “For old time’s sake.”

Her glare wavered. And then, before he could duck, she brought her hand around and sent a wave splashing into his face.

The water filled his mouth and eyes, and for a moment he was the one left sputtering. With a cough he wiped his face clear of water and found that she was watching him, amusement in her eyes.

“For old time’s sake,” she said dryly.

A burst of laughter welled up, and he let it out. Within seconds he found himself in a splashing war with her, just as they’d done in the days before he’d left. Only she wasn’t half his size anymore. And she was much stronger and quicker than he’d anticipated.

Splash after splash knocked into him, until finally he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “You win,” he laughed. “I can admit when I’m defeated.”

“That’s a first.” She gave a breathless laugh and swiped at the hair that had fallen into her face. “You used to be such a poor loser. A big crybaby.” Her eyes and smile teased him.

“I couldn’t have been a poor loser,” he teased back. “Since I never lost.”

“Oh yes you did. Especially when Jean and I teamed up against you.”

His hands and feet were numb from the cold water, but for some reason his chest pulsed with warmth. “Two against one? Non. I don’t think that counted as a real victory.”

She shrugged. It was almost as if the years hadn’t separated them, as if he’d never left. She was still the sweet girl who’d tagged along with him and Jean for all their adventures together.

“I think the only reason you won now was because you were already used to the water.” He shuddered. “I’m frozen.” It was only mid-May, much too early for swimming.

“So now you’re blaming the cold water for losing? Maybe you’d better just accept the fact that I’m all grown up now and can beat you fair and square.” At that, she tossed one more splash at him.

Though he was stiff from the cold, he smiled and gave her a nod. “I believe you’re right—much has changed since I’ve been away.”

Her gentle brown eyes looked up at him with warm adoration. During those turbulent months of fighting with Papa, amidst all his anger and resentment, amidst the horrible ogre he’d become, she’d followed him everywhere and listened to him. She hadn’t condemned him or shut him out like Papa had done.

And now, seeing her again, seeing that same adoration, an ache grew in his chest. He realized just how much he’d missed her acceptance and friendship.

“It’s good to see you again, Angelique,” he said softly while treading water near her, brushing her legs with his.

“It’s good to see you too.” She lowered her head, as if embarrassed by her admission. But then she let out a gasp. “Oh my.” Her eyes widened at the sight of his bare chest only inches away.

He shrugged. So what if he was shirtless? As children she’d seen him unclad plenty of times.

She began to back away, and even though the water covered her to her shoulders, he was close enough to see bruises on her neck, and the way the water plastered her chemise to her body and outlined her feminine curves.

Her breathing turned choppy and only served to bring more attention to her wet chemise.

A spurt of heat shot through him, and he couldn’t make himself look away as he became aware that she wasn’t a little girl anymore. And he was no boy.

She was a woman—a beautiful, full-grown woman.

She glanced up and, seeing where he was looking, gasped again, kicked her legs frantically and swam a safe distance away from him, toward the shore and the log where she’d left her bundle of clothes.

He ducked underwater and let the cold pressure bring him to his senses. What was he thinking? Angelique was his little sister and nothing more.

He broke the surface and blew out a breath of air and water.

She started to step out of the water, but then stopped and glanced over her shoulder. “Turn around, Pierre. We’re not little kids anymore,” she called.

“Oui. I can see that,” he replied, unable to resist grinning.

She scowled at him, clearly waiting for him to obey her order.

“All right, ma cherie. If you insist.” He spun in the water so that he was facing the opposite direction. “But you’d better hurry or I might peek.”

“You’d better not.” Her voice was jagged with her effort to hustle back into her clothes.

“And just why are you swimming without your clothes on anyway?”

“I didn’t think I’d have any visitors.”

He shook his head at her stupidity. “If I could sneak up on you, then why couldn’t one of the other voyageurs?”

“Because they’re all still drunk in their beds.”

“But there’s always the chance that someone might see you.”

She didn’t say anything.

For some reason her silence fueled the frustration swirling in his chest. “And what about the Indians? They’re swarming all over the island.”

“I’m fine.”

“I suppose you were fine the other morning when I pried that British soldier’s fingers from your neck?”

“You have no right to get angry with me, Pierre.”