Still flustered, Cleo blurted, “You have a little blob of suntan lotion on your cheek,” she said, pointing with her finger.

“Oh. Nice,” Dirk answered, obviously amused. He rubbed both sides of his face with his large, tanned hand. “How’s that? Do I look presentable now?”

“Yes. Yes, you do,” Cleo answered. Why did I tell him that? she wondered. I don’t even know the guy. I’m so jumpy.

Silently they walked across the parking lot toward an opening in the woods. I wish I’d brought a bottle of water with me, Cleo thought. I’m so thirsty. I didn’t even take one sip after my jog. For a couple seconds she debated internally whether to ask Dirk if they could go back to the office, then decided not to. Not after pointing out the lotion on his face. He didn’t seem offended, but I should have kept my mouth shut. I don’t want to bother him about something else.

For three or four minutes Cleo followed Dirk down a dirt trail completely shaded by overhanging trees. Just like the trail she had jogged on. Finally he stopped and turned. “I like to swim in a private spot off the beaten path,” he said. “Do you mind?”

“No,” Cleo answered quickly. Whoever left the bathing suit knows where I am, she kept thinking.

“It’s probably not smart to swim in a secluded area since there isn’t a lifeguard, but if I go under, I know you’ll save me.” Dirk rubbed his cheek. “I can tell you have my best interests at heart.”

“You’re a big guy, Dirk. I don’t know whether I’d be able to save you, but I’ll do my best.”

“And I’ll do my best to save you.” He paused. “If you need it.”

Dirk has no idea how ominous his words sound, Cleo thought. “Let’s hope not,” she answered.

Dirk turned and stepped off the trail into the woods, pushing branches aside. Twigs snapped beneath their feet. Talk about the path less traveled, Cleo thought as she followed him. A few minutes later the lake came into view.

“Careful, it starts to get a little steep here,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Let me help you. I don’t want you to slip and fall.”

Cleo extended her arm and his hand closed around hers. She didn’t expect it to feel so comforting.

“Easy does it,” he said as the drop toward the lake got steeper and steeper. “Your hand is little, Miss Connie …”

Here we go with the Western stuff again, Cleo thought.

“Okay now. Going down this incline we have to be careful. It’s easy to gain too much momentum …”

Their feet were moving quickly. They did gain momentum. As they were about to reach the sliver of beach, the dirt started crumbling beneath their feet.