Taking Chances: A Donnelley Brother's Novel by Alannah Carbonneau Page A

staring down at me with a devilish smirk.
    “How’s the water?”
    My teeth chattered. “It’s c-cold.”
    “You done?” He asked and I shook my head. “Not until you come in with me.”
    Collin laughed. “I know how cold that water is. I’m good for now, thanks.”
    Ha! The man wasn’t planning on joining me? We’ll see about that.
    Wading toward the raft with innocence shimmering in my eyes, I watched Jackson hide his grin behind a hand as he watched. I announced. “Okay, it’s too cold. Can you help pull me up into the boat?”
    Collin nodded, stretching his large hand out to me. I wrapped both my hands around his big one and felt my body begin to lift from the water before I pressed the flat of my feet against the side of the raft and pulled backward with all my weight. Collin’s eyes widened momentarily before a gasped shout sounded from his lips. “Hadley!”
    And then we were in the water. His body was pressed against mine as our legs tangled in the icy river. His green eyes were filled with admirable challenge as his hands gripped my waist, holding me tight against his body. Around us, laughter and easy bantering sounded.
    Even though it was difficult to concentrate on anything but the feel of his hands on my waist, I somehow managed to laugh. “You said you’d swim. I only helped you keep your word.”
    His eyes dropped to my mouth and back up to my eyes. “You’re a devious little thing, Hadley.”
    At the sight of his eyes on my lips, my breath caught - and then when his eyes lifted again, I found I was able to breathe. But it wasn’t easy. I didn’t know if it was the cold, or if it was the uncertainty I felt at the possibility of this man kissing me.
    Suddenly, I realized that we were the only two left in the water and Collin was dragging me toward the raft. Spinning my front to the raft, I felt his hands on my hips lifting me. I gripped the handles and pulled myself up with the help of the man who’d been sitting in front of me throughout the rafting trip. When I was settled, I looked back to find Collin had already lifted himself into the raft without any help from anyone else. Obviously, practice makes perfect.
    I wonder what else he’s perfect at? The thought came so suddenly and so out of context, that I felt my face turn pink.
    “You good?” The man in front of me asked. “You’re really red.”
    “I’m freezing.” I replied quickly and truthfully. Although I knew the cold wasn’t reason for my red skin, I could pass the blame without being interrogated.
    The man nodded. “Yeah, told you that water was cold.”
    I shivered just thinking about it. “You always swim?”
    “Not a chance.” He laughed. “But I knew it was your first time and for your first time, you’ve gotta have the full experience.”
    I pulled the jacket back on, hoping for some sort of warmth to seep into my bones. “Yeah, I don’t know if I’ll ever do it again. But I agree that the experience is a must.”
    Collin interrupted our conversation. “Wrap it up, Romeo. We’re heading back to shore.”
    The man laughed and my mouth dropped at Collins blunt, slightly rude instruction. Winking at me, the man turned around to pick up his paddle, and once again, we were making our way down the river.
    ***
    We’d taken a bus back to where we’d set off for the rafting trip down the river. A man named John, who I was beginning to believe was Collin’s father, had been waiting for us at the end of our river ride with a recycled yellow school bus. I was sitting in my wetsuit in the seat next to Collin, behind John.
    John spoke to Collin once again. “Your mother would like you to come out to Reese and Logan’s tonight if you’re not heading into Banff again this weekend.”
    Weekend? Holy wow, it was Friday already!
    “Yeah, I should be there.” Collin replied gruffly and I saw John’s brows rise in the mirror. He looked almost surprised. But why? Did Collin rarely attend family gatherings?
    “You