Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,74
frosty version of the fall season to last a little longer. At the very least, maybe the climate will be more mild in this section of the wilderness.
Halder steers me around a collection of boulders. The path we’re on is rocky, but not unmanageable. “Do you prefer the open range or dense forest?”
I glance at the spacious scenery enveloping us. “The woods are pretty, but we don’t have real mountains in Minnesota. It’s an incredible sight in real life. Those white caps are so far away, but I find them breathtaking. Plus, the rolling valleys with sparse trees is a nice compromise to the steep peaks.”
He rubs over his chin, following my line of sight. “Ah, solid argument.”
“What’s your choice?”
“I’ll take the range as well. Least restrictive of the two.”
His answer comes as no surprise. I’m well aware that inmates of Streebston are only allotted an hour or two in the concrete yard each afternoon. Those confining limits would drive anyone to wish for miles of land to roam. I press against the churning in my belly at the thought of being penned in. Imagining his time behind bars coats the sunshine with shadows. That’s over and done with. I cough to cover the growing tightness in my throat. “It would be fun to visit the mountains on different terms.”
Halder keeps his gaze locked on the peaks in the distance. “Have you ever been to the Rockies?”
“Kinda? My sister used to live in Colorado, just outside of Denver. Such a beautiful place. They were more of a backdrop while we traveled around the city. We never got close enough for me to really appreciate them.” I sniff while flickers of those moments crop up. Thinking of Adalene releases the suppression of my void regarding home. A sting lashes my chest, and I nearly gasp. It freaking sucks not knowing when I’ll be back.
He’s quiet for a moment. Perhaps my bout of gloom is spreading over to him. “Where is she now?”
I kick at some pebbles along the trail. “Just south of the Twin Cities. My younger sister lives in the northern suburbs. We’re all conveniently located to each other, which is nice. My mother would prefer having us under one roof, or in a compound.”
His chuckle eases the knots multiplying in my shoulders. “Three girls? Damn. That sounds like trouble. I bet your mom was busy chasing off all the boys in town.”
“Something like that,” I mutter. More like she didn’t let them cross our property line without threatening to call the cops. But that’s not a memory worth dredging up.
Halder disagrees. He quirks a brow and studies the tension that’s undoubtedly wafting off my features. “I recognize that look. I guess you have some less than pleasant family stories to share once we’re out of this mess.”
I recall his promise to me, forcing a smile through the strain. “We’ll regale one another with sordid stories of the past. Digging up all of those juicy details will require several mugs of hot chocolate.”
“With whipped cream?” The green in his eyes gleams under the bright sky.
A scoff tickles off my curling lips. “Is that even a question?”
“It’s not for everyone.”
I swat at the air with another huff. “They’re either lactose intolerant, on a diet, or don’t understand the simple joys in life. Any of those options are highly unfortunate.”
“Agreed. I’ll make sure we have extra to go around.”
I bump my hip into his. “You’re good stuff, Halder. I really like being with you.”
He loops an arm around my waist, hauling me into his side. “That’s great to hear because you’re stuck with me.”
We’ve been traveling far enough for the sun to be glaring behind us with mid-morning rays. The rippling ruckus of flooding water has ceased and a glance to my right shows why. Once again, a calm has fallen over the river. A sigh relaxes my posture at the gentle splash of glittering scales breaking across the surface. That’s an excellent sound and the rumble echoing off my ribcage agrees.
Halder releases me from his hold and begins striding to a nearby tree. “I’ll get a spear and catch our breakfast.”
“I’ll try to be patient while drooling and collecting twigs.” Another element snags my attention. The stream curves around a sharp bend and disappears from view. Curiosity stabs at me, but my stomach demands to be fed. “What do you think waits for us that way?”
“Want to find out?”
I tilt my head, weighing the priorities. “Food first, right?”
He nods. “I’d rather