The tent flap moved, and I looked up, expecting Lana, even though I knew it was too soon for her to be back. But it was just the wind. She was still out there, in the rain, retrieving a pack I should have been carrying. I never meant to drag her into a nightmare scenario.
Letting out a long breath, I shifted to lean against Lana’s bag. Fatigue pulled at my muscles and my mind now that my adrenaline had left.
I closed my eyes, vowing to rest just for a little bit. I would root around in Lana’s bag for food in a little while and try to get a hot meal ready, so she could eat and warm up when she returned.
But my body had other ideas. I snapped awake at the whir of the zipper, opening the tent flap.
Rubbing my eyes with my good hand, I sat up just as Lana came through the entrance, pushing my pack ahead of her.
She looked beautiful, even if she did look like a drowned rat. Soaked through, her hair was plastered to her head. A tinge of pink colored her cheeks from the cold and exertion.
Breathing hard, she flopped inside and zipped the flap shut. Water sluiced off her jacket as she shoved her hood back.
“You good?” I asked, assessing the rest of her face. A scrape marred her forehead. That hadn’t been there when she left.
“Peachy,” she said, but her voice was weary. “Your bag is heavy, by the way. Did you pack rocks? Were there not enough out here for you?”
Despite everything, I almost chuckled. “Not rocks. Just necessary gear. Sorry about that.”
She yanked off her gloves, then fumbled with the zipper on her coat with red, wrinkled fingers.
“I made some calls while you were gone.”
“Did you get through to anyone?”
“Yes. Both Jesse and Walker, actually.”
“Awesome. What did you find out?” She shrugged out of her coat, scooting toward me take her bag.
I shifted, giving her room. “Multiple things. I reported the poaching, and Jesse’s sending in a team to investigate, as well as continue our search for Dustin, once the weather clears. I also talked to Walker. We’re looking at probably a full day, maybe more before he’ll get a safe enough window to come get us.”
Her nose wrinkled as she pulled a sweater out of her bag and drew it on over her head. “I figured we’d be stuck together at least that long. Doesn’t make it any easier to have it confirmed.” She stilled, then sent me a wide-eyed look. “Not that you’re terrible to be stuck with. There are worse choices.” She rolled her lips in and closed her eyes, the pink tinge in her cheeks growing darker. “That didn’t come out right, either.”
I chuckled. “It’s fine. I know what you mean.”
She offered me a sheepish smile. “Good. I’m too tired to form coherent thoughts.”
“Same.”
She huffed a breath. “Well, then, let’s get some food in us and just… chill, I guess.” She tipped her head. “I don’t suppose you brought a book or a board game in that Santa sack, did you?”
“Santa sack?” I arched an eyebrow.
“It’s big enough, and I’m sure it has some surprises for me.” One side of her mouth tilted in a smile.
I tipped my head. “True enough. And you’re in luck. No books or board games, but I did bring a deck of cards.”
Her smile spread. “Great. I’ll be dealer, though, yeah?” She pointed to my hand.
I glanced at it. That was probably a wise idea.
“I take it you found more injuries?” she asked.
Looking up, I nodded. “Broken ring finger and broken and dislocated pinky. Blood’s flowing to both digits and I can feel everything, so it’s fine.”
She just lifted an eyebrow. “Well. Okay, then. How about your ribs? Did you get a look at those?”
“I think they’re just bruised. It doesn’t hurt too much to take a deep breath.”
