Colby took a screen shot of Colton's social media page. He set the picture on half of the computer screen. Then he began searching the areas nearby that might have activities like the one in the picture. "Could that be a swimming pool?" "What about a boat?" "Is that a pier? Could Tayler have rented a house with a boat and a pier?" "How about jet skis? Water skis?" Jon and Joe were throwing out ideas over his shoulder.
"How about a water park?" Colby asked. The other two got quiet. Colby explained slowly, "This area is known for three things; Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and Water Country USA. We met them in part of the historic triangle and they can't run around a theme park in bathing suits. I think we can head to the water park." After peering at the picture once more, the men took off for their respective rooms to change into swim trunks before racing to the SUV.
"Bring shorts too, just in case!" Joe called. "Who knows what they've got up their sleeves!" Within minutes they were on the road and plotting their plan of attack once they arrived at the waterpark.
"This is so relaxing, floating along with the current." Tayler sighed, leaning on an inner tube.
"Cheesey!" Devin hollered at his mother as he raced passed pulling JoJo along.
"No fair!" Colton yelled at his brother. "You two can't gang up on me!" He tried to pass his mother on the other side.
"Can't we just float?" Tayler asked, rocking in their wake.
"Let them play." Galina suggested. "We can float."
"Don't get too far away from us." Tayler shrugged. The mothers floated along as the kids raced each other blissfully unaware of the trio currently stalking through the park searching for them. Floating for a few laps was fun for the moms, but didn't entertain the children for long.
"Can we go to one of the slides now? Our lunch is settled. Please?"
"Okay." They made sure JoJo was securely fastened into her vest again and headed off to find another massive slide. They climbed the tower, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Once at the top, Tayler went down first, followed by the children, and then Galina. What they hadn't noticed was the three men that had spotted them and nearly caught up with them. They were four groups behind Galina. As she settled into her ride and prepared to slide, she thought she heard someone yell her name but she was already headed down the tube. She shrugged it off because no one could possibly know her at the park, could they?
"Now what?" Tayler asked.
"Let's go race!" the boys suggested. They headed to the racing slide quickly. Grabbing the necessary mats, they climbed to the top of the tower and prepared to line up for the race. "How are we going to do this?" "Who is racing who?" "Who will JoJo race with?"
"Her daddy." a deep voice answered as arms wrapped around Galina's waist.
Arms wrapped around Tayler's waist and lifted her off of the floor. "No fair disappearing like that." a familiar voice growled into her ear.
Tayler snorted. "I disappeared? Did you bump your head, Scarecrow? I haven't disappeared. I have been exactly where I was supposed to be and with the people I wanted to be with. I don't need to check in with you." She wiggled in the strong arms that held her, drawing a grunt and a groan from the man holding her. Once she managed to get her mouth near his ear (which somehow got one of his hands just under her bosom), she whispered "Why would I check in? There's no leash here. No ties. Nothing binding us…"
Jon tightened his grip on Tayler. "But you feel it, just like I do. There's something, isn't there?"
The twenty-something who was running the stand interrupted. "Are you racing?" Tayler wiggled free and got into position next to Devin. Colton and Colby were side-by-side talking smack. Jon took his position next to Tayler. Galina had to take the lane next to Jon, which left the final lane for Joe and JoJo. "Great. Finally, we are in position. Are you ready?" Everyone got in their ready positions. "On your marks. Get Set." Colton and Colby took off. "Go!" The rest of the group pushed off when they heard the final word.
Squeals and laughter rang through the air as Joe and JoJo easily sailed passed everyone else. "We win! We win! Uncle C cheated and we still win! My Daddy is the BEST!" JoJo crowed.
"Yeah, Yeah. Well, Colt cheated too." Colby grumbled.
"I followed your lead." Colton laughed.
"How? We took off at the same time!" Colby argued.
Jon pulled Tayler out of the water and against his side. "Missed you." he muttered seriously against the top of her head.
Tayler patted the top his hand that was resting on her hip and said, "It's okay, Scarecrow. You have Toto to guide you home."
Jon looked down at her as she jerked her head towards Colby and burst out laughing. "T, you are so not right! Damn, I like you!" He wrapped both arms around her and squeezed her tightly. The serious and intense moment was broken and the mood was back to light and playful again, just like the previous day when they had all gotten along so well together.
Colby had watched the exchange beside Colton. He made eye contact with the young man at his side, crossed his arms over his chest and said, "I fail to see the humor. It's really not funny at all. Not at all. Toto? Toto? Do I look like a puppy to you? Do I? Really?" Colton couldn't help but laugh at the grown man pouting and acting so childish.
Galina put her arms around Joe's waist. "This vacation seems to have devolved into a three ring circus, dear."
"Yep. But ain't it fun?" Joe said with a smile.