Neil and Wilder had made it farther into the midnight blue ripples, being taller than the women. Indi had just about made it as far as Lilian.

Neil caught Sydney’s gaze, his carefree expression coaxing her onward.

Not entirely carefree, though. No, it was care for Indi that’d prodded him to his feet back at their picnic spot. She’d sensed exactly what he was doing—maybe all of them had. And for Indi, they’d played along. For Indi, they’d run into bitter-cold water, fully clothed and wholly dedicated to the bit.

By the time she was waist-deep, she could feel bumps raising on her skin and traveling all the way up her torso underneath her shirt. Indi’s lips were already turning blue, and Wilder wasn’t even trying to hide his shaking.

“We’re idiots,” Lilian said. “All of us.”

Sydney couldn’t stop a giggle. “To think, a few days ago, I’d never even seen the ocean. Now I’m standing in it.” And quickly losing the feeling in her legs. “One week I’m innocently waiting tables, no idea that a private eye was about to chase me home from work and t-talk me into flying to Maine.” Her teeth chattered with every word. “T-the next I’m walking into the Atlantic, just asking for a case of hypothermia.”

Neil’s eyes were on her again. “Some hosts we are, forcing you into this.”

“B-but at least you haven’t f-forced me to milk Melba yet.”

He chuckled before shooting Wilder a frown. “You really chased her home?”

Wilder shrugged. “She had mace. She was fine.”

A minute passed. Two. Maggie shouted from the shore, something about her “preposterous children.”

Finally, Indi dropped her arms to the water’s surface. “Lil is right. This is insane.” She pushed against the rippling water and hurried to the sand.

Sydney broke the next instant. “I honestly think I’d rather face off with Melba than stay here.” How could her feet be nearly numb already? With a splash, she twisted toward the shore, pushing against the water as quickly as she could, shivers racing through her and only intensifying as she reached the shore.

“You made it almost five minutes.”

At the surprise voice at her side, she stumbled. Neil?

His arm shot out to steady her. “Careful. The rocks are slick, especially when your feet are wet.”

“Y-you gave up a-already?”

“Eh, I’d rather be entertained by how long those two stubbornly face off than freeze to death myself.” He pointed his finger over his shoulder to where Lilian glared at Wilder in the water. “Though I don’t plan to stick around and see it in person.”

Up ahead, Indi had already nabbed her shoes and was jogging toward the trees that led to the house. Maggie, too, had started back in that direction, though she’d left the picnic basket and blanket behind.