Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,23
a space with me bother you?”
“No!” My screech is loud enough to scare off a bear. I’m officially the worst possible person to be stuck in isolation with—or anywhere, if we’re being honest. “I mean, it totally makes sense. I’m good. Outstanding. The more I think about it, combining our body heat is a smart strategy. Even if we’re not actually touching. It’s great, of course.”
I’m way out of my comfort zone, bumbling like a schoolgirl, and making a damn fool of myself. Halder is patient and kind enough not to poke fun at my fraying semblance of normalcy. I’ve been asking silly things that any respectable person would know. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I’ve managed to insult him. The super fresh air must be having some effect. Or this frontiersman on steroids is solely responsible for turning my brain into scrambled slop.
“The only purpose for that lean-to is protection from the weather and staying warm. Nothing else, other than sleeping.” He’s speaking soft and slow since I’m clearly a flight risk. One wrong word and I’m bound to run scared into the darkness.
Is there a shovel nearby? It would help me dig this hole faster. To mask my blazing mortification, I scoff and release a puff of hot steam. “I know. Obviously.”
“Just making sure.” The edge of humor in his voice eases the strain from my muscles.
“I appreciate the clarification.” Shooting him a wink seems slightly appropriate, but I hold off.
He takes a step away from me. “I can sleep out here if that would make you more comfortable.”
I scramble to my feet, intent on erasing his withdrawal. “I’d never ask you to do that.”
“That’s why I’m offering.”
“No, it’s all fine and dandy. Please forget I almost had another meltdown.”
Halder graces me with a lopsided grin. “I’d never hold anything against you.”
I park a fist on my hip. “Now who’s being too forgiving?”
A quick jerk of his head. “Nah, you deserve far more than that.”
I gulp down a retort. What can I really give in response to compete? “I’m just gonna lay down and put this disaster behind me. Tomorrow will be better.”
He lifts an eyebrow, as if he isn’t quite convinced. “I’ll join you, if that’s all right.”
“Yes, please do.” Now I sound desperate for his company. It’s better than further wounding his sexy ego, though. I have no problem boosting his confidence. This man should be feeling damn good about himself right now.
“Take this.” He lifts the sleeping bag toward me.
“What are you gonna use?”
Halder grabs a large square pouch. The material crinkles when he unfolds it. “The tarp. That should be enough, unless we need it for wind resistance.”
I want to argue, but this conversation has already proved to be conspiring against me. With the roll of bedding secure under my arm, I creep toward our refuge fit for two. Halder sneaks past me and settles against the rear wall.
“You should take the front spot. It will be warmer by the fire.”
I focus on the space that’s more lit up from the nearby flames. “I’m beginning to feel spoiled.”
“Good.” He wraps himself in the tarp, making quite a racket. Any predator within hearing range is definitely going to avoid us tonight.
After getting situated, I realize this doesn’t feel weird in the slightest. There’s not a single ounce of tension inside of me as I wiggle farther into my cocoon.
“Night, Blakely.” Hearing my name in his gruff baritone makes me shiver.
“Sweet dreams,” I mumble.
His responding chuckle sends another rush of goosebumps across my curled form. I’m snuggled in this bulky mass of nylon goodness, but a bite of cold still wreaks havoc. After that ridiculous internal conflict, an idea from earlier occurs to me. Combined body heat would soothe this nipping chill. A stubborn streak worms through me. Suggesting that would be worse than interrogating him about this arrangement in the first place. I’m not weak, or desperate. Not yet, at least.
If Halder is okay with just a tarp, I’m totally fine with what I’ve got. I force my eyes shut and beg for blissful oblivion to conquer me.
Survival tip #10: Heat can chase off the most dangerous threats.
I wake earlier than the rising sun, not that sleep ever stole my consciousness for long. Some deeply ingrained instinct kept me rousing throughout the night to scout our surroundings. A simple glance usually sufficed in settling the restless nerves jostling me alert. If that wasn’t enough, getting up to fuel the dying flames allowed some semblance