head to the north.” Noah indicated which direction that was. “He should be right past the tree line.”
“A fanny pack? Really? Did you rob this off of an eighty-year-old male tourist?”
He smirked. “I didn’t pick it.”
She stepped out of the Jeep. “So… he’s in the trees?”
“Yup. I gotta scoot.”
“Um… okay.” Clutching her fanny pack, she slowly walked toward the trees as Noah waved goodbye and took off.
Her stomach flipped as she prepared herself for this meetup. In all reality, she really should explain herself. She needed to let him know where she was coming from. Her behavior had been atrocious and completely selfish—that needed to be amended with an explanation.
Taking a big breath, she ducked around some branches and spied him about fifty yards up, facing her. The familiar feelings of comfort and joy at seeing him rushed into her body.
She’d hated the last two weeks without him. He’d been on her mind constantly—wondering what he was doing, wanting to sit with him, or talk. But her shame had kept her away. She’d used him to feel good about herself—to feel desired and loved. And because he hated to see her upset, he’d gone along with it. He’d given in to her to keep her happy. He was the best sort of man alive, and she just hadn’t been able to face him. She just couldn’t shake the grossness of having sex with Mikey. Mikey! He was her brother in everything but blood. They’d bathed together, changed together, slept in the same bed—they were kids! She just couldn’t fathom having sex with…
She shivered. She hadn’t wanted to get involved with any guy, and she went and did the unspeakable with the most important man in her life.
Why do I keep making these mistakes?
“What are you doing here?” he asked as he walked closer, his eyes scanning the direction she’d come.
As his words sank in, she glanced around them. They stood in a small clearing surrounded by lush green foliage. Birdsong carried on the soft breeze with the pleasant smell of fresh air. Behind the soundtrack of nature, though, was silence.
“Where is everyone?” she asked as her brow rumpled. “I thought you needed me for a demonstration…”
“Who brought you here?” he asked suddenly, grabbing her arm and turning her back the way she had come.
“Noah. You didn’t ask for me?”
“Noah? Did he say who sent him?”
He pushed out through the tree line, and his gaze scanned the area, eventually pointing in the direction the Jeep had gone. The Jeep’s tracks led down grassy hillside, disappearing below the ridge.
He snatched the fanny pack out of her hand and opened it up. He rifled through it, and worry crept into his expression as he finally pulled out a folded piece of paper. Sara saw the words as he opened it up: Here’s a little present for you. Don’t worry, I let Dan know you were taking his prize helper on your retreat. She’s all yours. Let’s see if you’re as good as they say you are when the stakes are raised. Duke.
“Shit!” Mike crumpled the note in his hand and braced to throw it. Instead, he paused, and then slowly lowered his arm. In defeat, he turned to her. “I didn’t ask for you, no. Not that I don’t always want you around—I do. But this isn’t a training session. It’s a survival situation. I’m on my own out here.”
“What does that mean? Can’t we just hike back? I have my good shoes on.” Sara lifted a foot to show him her hiking boots, knowing, even as she’d said it, that the long car ride through sparse landscape hinted at the answer.
“Yes, we can. But we’re dozens of miles from the ranch, or even any sort of civilization. We still need to find water, food…” Mikey’s jaw clenched and his body flexed, as he struggled for control. He took two steps away and swore. “He’s put you in an extremely dangerous position, and he knows it. I should’ve known. I should’ve known standing up to him would just make things worse for you. Damn it!”
“Wait.” Sara looked around at the trees, then out at the rolling hills. She glanced at him, seeing no backpacks or sleeping bags, and then down at herself, dressed in daywear with no supplies of any kind. She’d camped before, but she’d brought a trunk full of stuff. If what Mikey said was true, this would be four days with… nothing. No toothbrush, change of clothes, snacks… nothing!
“No one’s