that you—or someone working on your behalf—might return for Megan.” Todd held the binoculars to his face.
“There were guards last time, but I don’t know how many.”
“I don’t see a large presence from this angle, but we’ll approach with caution.”
The path narrowed and they walked single file, Lindsey holding a strap on his backpack to stay on track. Not nearly as warm or comforting as his hand.
Five minutes later, he stopped short and she barely missed slamming into him. “Hold up.”
“What is it?”
He let out a frustrated sigh and clasped his hands on top of his head. “Trail’s out.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SHIT ON A stick. Todd stared at the dark crumble of dirt where the trail had been before a small landslide sent it down the mountain.
“No,” Lindsey said from behind him. “No.”
“I’m sorry.” He turned to face her, tucking his gloves into his pocket before placing his hands on her cheeks. His warm fingers met cool skin and he tried to will some of his heat into her. “We’ll have to find another way around, but it’s too dark to do that safely.”
The red glow from his headlight glinted in her eyes as she gazed at him with a look that made his stomach bottom out. “This is the part where you tell me we have to wait until morning, isn’t it?”
“If I knew another way…” He dropped his hands, and urged her to turn around. It was either that or kiss her. “There was a promising spot about a quarter mile back. We can set up camp there and start looking for a new route at first light.”
She heaved a long sigh. “Okay.”
Backtracking slowly, they finally reached the small ring of aspens glowing gold among the pines in the faint moonlight. As he’d hoped, the trees hid a small patch of sparse grass that would be perfect for making camp out of sight.
Within minutes, he and Lindsey had raised and staked the tent, and they now crouched before the small stove where he heated water to add to the packaged meals he’d bought at the store. A fire this close to the compound seemed ill advised, so they huddled close with a blanket across their shoulders.
“Under other circumstances, this would be fun,” Lindsey said. “I’d never camped before, but you make it seem easy.”
“It’s hard to get through PJ training without learning a few useful skills.” He tried to ignore the tingles running up and down his arm where it touched hers. “But my mom also took us a few times growing up. You’ve really never been?”
She shrugged. “My parents prefer sailing. I used to get horribly seasick, but they just kept bringing me along and I eventually outgrew it.”
As if he needed another reminder how different their worlds were. Or how strong Lindsey was. “And you can sail too?” He filled a pouch with water and handed it to her, along with a metal spoon from his small utensil set.
“Oh, yeah. No one gets to slack off on the boat. Plus, it was a safety thing.” She stirred the pasta with marinara and blew gently on it. “I love being on the water. I was never a surfer type, but sailing is amazing. The wind in your face, the fresh air and sunshine, the dolphins playing alongside the boat.” She stared absently at her food. “Have you ever tried it?”
He shook his head. “No, but it sounds great.”
“Well, if you’re ever in LA, I’ll take you.”
“I’d love that.” More than he cared to admit. He could imagine her in a bikini, hair windblown, her gorgeous body drenched in sunlight as she gave him a sexy, carefree smile. He scowled at his penne. Wishful thinking.
He suddenly wanted an excuse to take her to Oklahoma City. To show her Bricktown and the canal, stroll through the Paseo, check out the Cowboy Hall of Fame—or whatever its official name was these days—visit the Memorial.
They ate their food in silence, breaths mingling in the space between them. He’d removed his headlamp once the moon appeared between the low clouds, and the orb’s cool light gave her face an ethereal glow.
Behind them, the tent rippled noisily in the wind. The tent they’d be sharing again soon.
He swallowed hard.
Last night he hadn’t known her yet. Not really. He’d been drawn to her pretty face, her strong curves—her need—but had known little of her mind.
Tonight felt different. He might only know a sliver of the whole Lindsey, but he liked that sliver. A lot.
“How old are