steers us to shore as we approach the seemingly purposeful gap. From first glance, it’s apparent this spot is better than our initial landing site from yesterday. The clearing is almost a circular formation, not much different than a halo. More dirt than snow is visible on the ground. That must mean the natural coverage is top notch. All signs point to a big thumbs-up.
With a meaningful glance to the sky, I send a bouquet of gratitude. “See? This is what I’m talking about. Now we’re getting the score square.”
Halder grunts while hopping into the water. “I already told you, the wilderness doesn’t keep track.”
“But Karma is always watching. I think it’s safe to conclude that she owes you a couple hundred, at the very least.”
In the next instant, his gaze is piercing into mine. Those green depths are imploring and deeper than the flooded river. “She’s already granted me more than my fair share.”
Survival tip #16: An eye on the ultimate prize is a distraction that could pay off.
This empty section of land is more appealing than any vacant space in the history of sight. I’m realizing how swift my standards of satisfaction can be altered. My adjustment period in this wilderness is much quicker compared to prison—not that any inmate ever finds true contentment behind bars. Acceptance, sure. Is that what’s happening now, but on a more accelerated scale? Does Blakely feel the same? Our conversation from moments ago would suggest that’s the case.
A distant howl has me leaving those wonderings in the river. I haul our canoe onto the rocky shore with a suffocated groan. The burden on my biceps from earlier, and yesterday, is making a painful reappearance. That ache is about to be doubled, so I grit my teeth and pull harder.
Blakely wobbles to a stand in the center of Skipper. The name curls on my tongue with a grunt. It’s rather ridiculous to title an abandoned canoe we’re merely borrowing, but I couldn’t argue with her. I’m still waiting for her to discover the power she wields over me.
Without beginning to overthink on other unnecessary topics, I extend an open palm to Blakely and offer my assistance. Her exit should be more graceful than how she was savagely dropped aboard. That’s a guarantee from me.
She bats her long lashes at me. “My hero. How will I ever repay you?”
The list of possibilities that pop into my brain are positively filthy. “Just continue giving me a reason to smile.”
“Oh, that’s simple.” Her grin is dipped in honey with extra sugar. I want to lick every drop of sweetness from her lips.
Blakely makes me forget the bad. The festering hate dies to a lower simmer the longer she’s around. I can get lost in this fantasy world where only the two of us exist. And guess what’s even better? That’s our reality for the time being. Regret is a fickle, ugly scar that I’ve worn for years. Those lashes have haunted me ever since the lies and deceit branded me. With this woman nearby, those permanent marks vanish, as if they never existed.
If I was at my loft right now, the only thing on my mind would be plotting a revenge attack. Out here, all of that corrupt business has been shoved to the back burner. If it wasn’t for the extremely unfortunate fact that we were taken against our will, I would be thanking Stefano and his goons for sending me away.
I cough to loosen the knot in my chest. “We’ve arrived at our next stop. Would you accompany me on a tour?”
She giggles and takes my hand. “Sure, that would be lovely.”
We stride into the midst of our rustic quarters. The amount of useful surface area is small, but plenty for what we need. I sweep an arm to the left. “Over this way is an arching wall of pines from the coniferous family. On the opposite side are the not-so-distant spruce relatives. In the middle portion, there is mostly flat terrain for convenient crossing. The ground appears slightly frozen, so elbow grease might be required while digging.”
I guide her to the far end of our clearing. Her expression brightens further with my boasting tone. “This will be an excellent location for our sleeping accommodations. The bare trees make great posts for a lean-to. And that dry patch is where the fire could be built. The flames will be close enough to keep us warm.”
Blakely has been humming her agreement with each feature. “This