Luck of the Draw (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 1) by Cheri Allan Page B

off beautifully by the classic lines and deep color. Kate looked at her own tankini, as the cousins quietly chatted about the good news, and quickly stuffed it back in her tote. Baby belly or not, there was no way she was wearing a stretched-out runner-up of a navy swimsuit. Rachel was glowing .
    Kate pulled out her coral, tropical print bikini and tugged it on before she could chicken out.
    Thankful for the waning light, she pulled her towel snug around her and followed Rachel and Grace to the dock. The mother in her noted Liam with Dick Pearson at the outdoor fireplace toasting marshmallows. The woman in her quickly saw the men at the water’s edge, laughing and jostling each other like teenagers. Carter was threatening to throw Doug off the dock. Ian was trying to block his escape, and Jim was standing to the side, laughing, an easy, light-hearted sound that rolled through the air and sent warm shivers up her bare arms.
    Each was good-looking in his own way. Ian and Carter, clearly brothers, with their dark hair and broad shoulders. Doug, lean and golden-haired like his wife.
    But it was Jim who drew and held her attention. Slightly taller than the others, his body all fluid muscle and masculine beauty, a soft thatch of hair on his tanned chest. He wore khaki swim trunks, and Kate’s mouth went dry as he absently adjusted the waistband.
    Ruth Pearson, or Grams as everyone called her, waved them to the dock. “Took you girls long enough. I thought we might start with some races.”
    Kate gulped. No one had said anything about... “Races?”
    Rachel leaned in. “Grams is a hotshot swimmer. She was quite the competitor in her day. Even after her knee replacements last summer, she’s hard to beat.”
    “I’m not sure...”
    “Only if you want to,” Grams allowed. “I enjoy a brisk swim, limbers up the old bones, but you can sit this one out if you like.”
    Kate sighed with relief even as Rachel challenged her husband to a race. Grace quickly decided she could beat Carter, and Jim’s grandmother paired off against Ian.
    This was clearly not the first race of its kind. Rachel explained the rules to Kate. “We swim to the Bellevieu’s dock, rock the buoy to show you’ve made it that far, then be the first to grab the ladder at the end of our dock.”
    “Ready, set... go! ” Grace yelled. With that, Rachel and Doug dove into the water. Rachel took a decisive lead. The far buoy wiggled once, then twice, then the pair swam back, Doug calling out for mercy.
    Rachel grabbed the ladder in triumph as Grams dove over her like a member of an Olympic relay team. Ian quickly followed.
    “Go, Grams! Go!” Grace yelled as Ian began to catch up.
    “Can’t you beat your own grandmother?” Carter bellowed. “Get the lead out!”
    “You’re still ahead!” yelled Rachel.
    Grams lost a little momentum on the return trip, but was still ahead by a whisper when Grace dove in with Carter in hot pursuit.
    Kate wished she felt like a strong enough swimmer to take part, but there was no way she’d pit herself against the likes of Jim. Not with his reputation!
    Grace cut through the water with single-minded determination, Carter pounding his strokes inches behind.
    “Go, Gracie!” Rachel yelled. “He’s right behind you!”
    Kate clapped with excitement as Grace jiggled the buoy and flipped around in one smooth turn. Moments later, Grace gave a yelp of surprise and disappeared under water. She came up howling as Carter roared past her.
    He was nearly a body length ahead when he choked out a bark of surprise himself, then Grace surged forward, grabbed the ladder and thrust a fist in the air. “The women are the victors!”
    Carter slicked his hand over his face. “At least the losers still have their pants on.”
    “Where are they, anyway?” Grace demanded. “Don’t you know when you pants somebody you’re not supposed to rip them completely off?”
    “Serves you right for buying a swimsuit so cheap it falls apart with