The forest opened up, framing an expansive view of rugged mountain peaks of gray and purple and the glimmer of lake water at the base.

“See over there?” he said, pointing over her shoulder at a smaller pool above the lake.

“Yeah.”

“Hot springs. There’s more of them about half a mile or so to the west. But there’s parking and easy trails. These are a better-kept secret.”

“How far are we?” she asked.

“About a mile. You up for it?”

“Hell yeah, I am,” she said with just a hint of surprise in her tone.

“That’s my girl.”

They picked their way over downed logs and loose gravel, passing in and out of forest as the trail looped around. By the time they got up to the rocky shore of the blue-green alpine waters, they both had a good sweat going. The lake was small by Idaho’s standards, and this one was impossible to get to by car. Which meant they had it to themselves on a late Wednesday morning.

Maggie leaned down and dipped her hand into the water. “Oh my God. It’s freezing.”

“The lake gets a lot of the melt-off, but the springs up there are bath temperature. I didn’t bring Kevin because that tub of lard loves the water, and I didn’t want the distraction. If you get what I’m saying.”

She gestured at her shorts and tank top. “You didn’t tell me to bring a suit.”

He grinned and then dropped his shorts to his ankles. “Now what’s the fun in bringing bathing suits?”

She let out a scandalized laugh. “You want me to go skinny-dipping in broad daylight?”

He shucked off his T-shirt, letting it fall next to his shorts. “One million subscribers, Mags. That’s a hell of a thing. And what are you gonna do when some other Instagrammer person asks you how you celebrated? Tell them you worked nine hours instead of ten? Tell them you painted a front porch?”

“I’m sure as hell not telling them I went skinny-dipping with Hot Landscaper Guy. It would break thousands of hearts.”

“Suit yourself, Mags. You can sit here in the sun and stay dry, waiting for me to take you back so you can pick up a paintbrush or a spreadsheet. Or you can come have a little adventure with me.”

“You’re diabolical,” she said, shaking her head. But those long fingers of hers were plucking at the hem of her shirt. She bit her lower lip.

He slid his thumbs in the waistband of his underwear, tempting her, teasing her.

She looked skyward for a moment before letting out a breath. “Fine. But if we get arrested for public indecency, you’re paying my bail.”

“Deal.”

She stripped off her shirt, and he slid his underwear down his legs.

Boise Banner: SALES OF A. CAMPBELL’S HISTORICAL WESTERN NOVELS SKYROCKET WHEN YOUTUBE STAR REHABS FAMILY HOME

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