Over the next few days, the rain eased. The track down to the creek got harder and the road closer to the house looked passable. Cody knew he'd have to take Fin back to her father's house to tell him she wasn't coming home. He hoped it rained some more and they'd never have to go anywhere. He put it out of his mind and took Fin and Max to the river.

"Don't you let me go?"

"Fin, I said I wouldn't let you go. Trust me." Cody grinned as she clung tighter. Her naked body touched his. He ran his hand down her back onto her backside and then put his lips on hers.

"Cody," she giggled. "You're supposed to be teaching me to swim. Stop it."

"I'd rather teach you something else." He chuckled and sucked on her earlobe.

Fin squirmed in his arms. "I know how to do that."

"Not in the creek you don't. We've never done it in the creek and how can I teach you to swim if you don't let go of me? It's not my fault if you keep pushing your body against mine. How's a man supposed to react?" He lifted her and put his mouth on her breast.

She laughed, cradled his head in her arms, let him do his thing for a minute, then put a hand on each of his cheeks and made him look at her. "If we do it, will you teach me to float?"

"Of course." He grinned. "Then we'll do it again and I'll teach you to dog paddle."

Fin pushed the hair from his eyes. "I'll have to cut this. I said I would but I haven't yet." She lowered her lips to his and sighed against his mouth.

"That's it. Move your feet backwards and forwards and your hands up and down." Cody beamed as he let her go. "There. You're treading water. Dog paddle. That's what it's called."

Fin squealed, "I'm doing it! I'm doing it!"

"You sure are, honey." Cody watched her paddle around.

Max barked from the bank.

"What's up with you boy?"

The Labrador barked again and sat on his bum.

"I suppose you want to be fed, ya bugger," Cody said as he splashed the dog with water.

Fin paddled towards Cody. She swung her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "He's jealous."

"You reckon?"

"Yes." Fin sighed and kissed Cody's lips. "He doesn't like it when you give me too much attention."

"Well, he'll just have to get used to it." Cody returned her kiss and gave her a light tap on the bum. "Come on we better head back so I can feed him and the chooks."

While Cody fed the animals Fin took the washing off the line and folded it up. She put Cody's clothes in the cupboard, smiled and swept her hand over them. He made her so happy. She closed the door and lifted the sheets. When she opened the wardrobe drawer the corner of the blanket-covered box stared out at her.

Fin put the sheets away and then lifted the parcel from the drawer. The blanket slipped away. Her mouth fell open in awe.

What are you doing, Fin?

Does anyone else have a bad feeling that things are about to take a turn for the worst. :(

I think that Labrador in the photo deserves a vote. ♥