“It is not that funny.” Sierra said. “Yes it is.” he insisted. He splashed through the puddle towards her, wearing hiking boots and blue jeans. His dark eyes were alight with mirth. He held out his hand to her. She didn’t take it. “Will you let me help you up?” Grudgingly, Sierra took his outstretched hand. As he tried to pull her up, her feet slipped out from under her again. She fell back in the mud, this time pulling Joe down with her. He landed with his hands down on either side of her, holding his body an inch above hers. Sierra found herself suddenly very aware of the way his t-shirt clung to every muscle on his chest, then did her very best to banish the thought. His hair brushed her face. He hovered there just a moment longer than necessary before launching himself gracefully to his feet. This time, he managed to pull her up out of the mud. “You’re a very stubborn and persistent woman, you know that?”
