Last year there were over 60 participants and it was a hoot to read all the entries.
Bayou Blue - (excerpt...)
Jake stood silent for a beat, thinking. He stared out over the bow of the boat. Finally, he looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “You think someone else sent it to you.”I didn’t know what I thought. I shrugged. “I think that if something was going terribly wrong in my life, I’d try to let my family know somehow. I might give someone a letter with instructions to mail it if something happened to me.”
“But it got to you before something happened.”
“I—I don’t have an explanation for that part yet, but I’m sure I’ll find one.”
Jake slowed the boat and we coasted next to the banks. “He could have picked up a phone.”
“No…not really. He wouldn’t trust electronics; phones or mail. At least that’s what I’m thinking.” Jake shot me a quizzical look. I stood in front of him debating. “Randy believed the FBI or someone else might be tapping his phone and reading his email.”
“How do you know this?”
“I have to show you something back in my room. It’ll help explain Randy’s state of mind.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “More stolen evidence?”
I tilted my head to the side and smiled. “Borrowed.”
“We have to give the FBI this letter.”
“In a day or two, please, Jake. You know how they are. How they take over and crowd others out.”
We stood looking at each other when the boat jolted against the grassy bank. I went flying forward, but Jake caught me with his arm around my waist. He pulled me to his chest as he steadied himself against the railing.
“Whoa, you almost took a swim there,” he chuckled.
“There’s…I could have been lunch,” I breathed, thankful for his steadying arm. I remembered the alligator from a few minute ago and a shudder ran through me.
“I got you…” His voice trailed off and I looked up.
Jake’s eyes held mine and I became aware of how close he was. My hands flat on his broad chest, the strength of him just under his t-shirt, sent my heart bounding. A ripple ran through me. His arms around me felt strong; they felt right.
“I just…I.” I sounded like an idiot. What was I doing?
“You okay?” He murmured. “You look a little light-headed.”
“No, I mean yes. You’re just kind of…” I struggled to catch my breath. “You haven’t let go…”
Jake’s arms pulled me nearer and he leaned in, his face so close I felt his breath on my cheek. The boat rocked beneath us throwing me further off balance. Jake brushed my temple with his jaw, his words whispered on my skin hot and quiet. “That’s not a bad thing, Riley.”
I turned toward him, my lips barely brushing his, when a high pitched cackle tore through the swamp making me jump. I gasped and heard his low chuckle at my neck.
He stepped back, releasing me, and sighed with a smile. “That was just a bird.”
Jake moving away, I was both relieved and sorry about it. I cleared my throat and tried to pretend I didn’t feel awkward enough to swim home. “So, uh, we’re here?”
I bent over and picked up Randy’s letter and folded it in my hands. I shoved it in my pocket and started to chew on my thumbnail.
Jake leaned on the railing and watched me quietly. Breathless and blushing I felt totally vulnerable under his gaze yet he seemed completely unperturbed.
“Yes,” he said. “We’re here.”
That is all for my "No Kiss Blogfest" entry...take a moment to enjoy the other entries at Frankie Writes. Until next time...Go Write!
Photograph by Sabrina Campagna.