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“You know what I mean. I was burnt like a crispy marshmallow when I met Elias. But if it's the right person, you can get past it.”
“I don't know. The last guy I was dating screwed around with my roommate. Before that, my older sister’s boyfriend hit on me when I was sixteen. He was over ten years older,” I offered with a grimace. Cammi’s eyes widened. “Look, that was creepy, but my sister dumped him, and I wasn't heartbroken about my ex. In short, though, I learned who I couldn't trust.”
“Them,” she offered succinctly. “You seem like a person who doesn't let your guard down easily.”
I instantly felt prickly inside even though I knew she had a point. “What do you mean?”
“We're all different people, and we all have different experiences. You seem very independent. I don't mean that in a bad way. The world is a hard place for women to live. That alone is enough for a woman to be guarded, and that doesn’t take into account assholes like your ex or creeps like your sister’s ex.”
I thought maybe it was just that. Layered into the mix with me being the youngest in my family, I’d felt like I spent my childhood fighting to show that I was tough, not the one who everybody told what to do. It’s possible, just a little bit, that I was stubborn and hated everyone always babying me.
I realized Cammi was waiting for me to say something. “I suppose I am independent.”
“When it's right, it feels right. And this might seem weird, but when it's right, it's also scary.”
“What do you mean?” My pulse kicked up a notch.
“Not scary in a bad way. Because it matters. It's one thing to like someone and have it not work out. It’s another thing to love someone.”
I knew precisely what she meant. What happened with the last guy I dated had stung my pride, but it didn't break my heart.
“Grant’s one of the good guys.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I wish he’d told me he would be out of town.”
“Did you give him a chance to tell you?”
Her question felt barbed even though I knew she didn’t intend that. I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “Maybe not,” I muttered.
Cammi smiled warmly, reaching over and squeezing my shoulder. “He'll be back, and you can talk then.”
Someone called her name from the front. “I should probably get back out there.”
“You should. Thank you,” I said as we stood together.
“For what?”
“For being my friend.” She smiled and gave me a quick hug.
As I drove toward the lodge, I decided I might as well go to my aunt's funeral. Grant was gone, so I would just be twiddling my thumbs.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
GRANT
I leaned on the railing of the walkway, the sound of rushing water filling the air. I had flown a group out to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park & Preserve. This area became famous due to the live video showing the massive brown bears who fed on the salmon here. Of course, it was also a place of breathtaking beauty. I'd seen my fair share of bears and preferred to stay at a comfortable distance at all times.
“Hey, Grant,” a feminine voice reached me.
I turned to see Lacey Haynes approaching. “Hey, Lacey, what are you doing out here?” I asked.
“What do you think I'm doing out here?” she countered when she stopped beside me.
I smiled at her. Lacey was a kick-ass wilderness guide and married to Quinn Haynes. “I thought you were pregnant,” I commented.
“I am,” she replied with a grin. “But I can still hike. This is my last trip before I stay put in Diamond Creek.” With her auburn hair and sparkling green eyes, Lacey had an earthy beauty to her. “How long are you here?” she asked.
“Oh, I've got a whole tour group. We're stopping here for a night, and then I'm flying them to another stop. They’re fishing and doing all the things, so a few more puddle jumpers.” Puddle jumper flights in Alaska were the short flights people took all over the wilderness since most of the state was only accessible by boat or plane.
