only ask, “When and where?”
Chapter Sixteen
Nate
I steal a glance at Kira, with her knee bouncing as she stares out the passenger side window. Restless energy emanates off her in a wave, but she doesn’t have anything to worry about. No one is going to let her freeze to death, especially me, and once she relaxes, she’s going to have the time of her life camping with Amber and her friends.
“You don’t have to do this, you know?” As we round the corner to McMurtry’s place, I put my hand on her leg and give a little squeeze.
“Yeah, I do. You heard Sam. A person’s word is a big thing around here. I kind of respect that. Even though I think he might have been behind the picture on the side of the distillery.”
“He’s trying to get you to stay. You know that, right?”
“So, you think he did it?”
“No, I don’t think he set you up. He’s not that artistic. But you don’t have to—”
“You know what, Nate?” She turns my way and bounces a little in her seat. “I’m actually looking forward to this camping trip.”
I grin at that. “I think you’re going to have fun.”
I take in her small smile. She might be a mathematician, all logic and order, but she’s also an adventurous spirit, whether she realizes it or not, and I kind of love that about her.
“Faith said there’s going to be a bonfire, so at least I won’t die of hypothermia.” She gestures with a nod to the back of the truck. “And with all the cold weather gear you packed for me, I’ll be just fine. I must say, though, you east coasters are a strange bunch. Camping in the winter is a little out there, but there will be s’mores, and that makes everything better.”
“Technically, it’s not winter or camping.”
She glares at me, as I take the turn around the corner and make the short trek to Albert’s place. “How is it not camping?” she asks, her chin lifted, indignant.
“You’re hardly going to be roughing it.”
“I’ll be in a tent, Nate. How is that not roughing it?”
I laugh at that. “You’re setting up in the woods twenty feet from the McMurtry’s house, twenty feet from indoor plumbing.”
“Indoor plumbing.” She sighs. “I really like indoor plumbing.”
“I’m partial to it myself.” I gesture with a nod. “We’re here.” I ease into the driveway and spot a group of girls, all waving their hands and talking animatedly and bouncing with exuberance. “Looks like they’re pretty excited.”
When Amber spots Kira, she comes running over and gives Kira a big hug.
“I’m so glad you are joining us, Kira,” she says. “I can’t believe this is your first camping trip.”
Faith comes over. “Albert is hauling the gear up the hill for us. He’s over there,” she says, and I pull Kira’s packs from the back. The sun is low on the horizon, and they need to hurry if they want to use the last rays of light to get set up and get a fire going.
I leave Kira with the young girls and the chaperones in the Pathfinder organization.
“Albert,” I say, and he drops the bag onto the small trailer hauled by a four-wheel ATV.
“Hey, boss.”
“…and we’re going to tell ghost stories,” I hear from behind as the girls and their chaperones make their way up the hill.
“Ghost stories?” Kira says. “I don’t believe in ghosts.”
The girls laugh and make spooky sounds, and Albert shakes his head. “She’s in for a night,” he says. “All the chatter has given me a headache. Grab a beer later?” he asks as he plops himself onto the ATV.
I nod as he starts it, and I follow behind as he takes the gear up the hill. We reach the small clearing, where they’ll be setting up, and I drop Kira’s packs.
Everyone goes about setting up their tents, and Kira stands there, sweet, vulnerable, and so goddamn adorable, it brings out the protector in me. “Need a hand?”