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“Now that you are here,” Easton asked tentatively. “You don’t think a reality show is a good idea?”
I inhaled and had to think about that for a moment before answering.
“I would actually do more a documentary style of places to visit to unwind,” I said as inspiration hit. “I mean, this is better than therapy, as everyone has acknowledged. They get so far away from civilization and the fast pace of their lives that it is like a therapy session under the stars. I would probably gear it toward an outdoor channel or feel-good television than a true reality TV.”
“Therapy under the stars, huh?” Easton remarked. “You might have something there. I’m a big proponent of natural healing and mental health. Even with PTSD patients, you should see how much better they do just wandering out here with supervision. Maybe there is some good that we could do with this while bolstering our services and spreading some good vibes.”
“Now you are talking,” I remarked as my eyes got caught up in his again.
“Sure, but you have to survive the rest of the ride for me to back this,” he challenged.
“Boy, you don’t know how stubborn I can be,” I remarked just as Annie hollered loudly.
“What is it?” Easton offered back to her, jumping from his spot.
I watched him try to calm her down, insisting the noises coming from the bushes wouldn’t attack. She had availed herself of the bushes to relieve her bladder, and some curious animal soul got a little close. This was definitely not a city problem I thought with a chuckle watching the entire thing unfold with a big goofy grin on my face.
I worried that I might owe Randy a hug, and I also glanced over at Luca and got a big thumbs up from him. This was turning out to be one of the biggest potential shoots ever. The biggest surprise of all was the big, bad cowboy that I just couldn’t take my eyes off. I didn’t know where that situation might be headed, but honestly, I was just along for the ride at the moment.
Chapter 6
(Easton)
______
I was pleasantly surprised at how well Roxie was acclimating to life on the trail. Additionally, she and Luca weren’t making the guests feel uncomfortable or getting in the way. Tonight the team we were leading asked for some time alone, as they were going to use the evening to brainstorm some business ideas. I was shocked. The ride had been tiring. I was surprised they had the energy to discuss such heavy details.
Roxie and Luca went through some of the films they’d shot, and then Roxie chatted for a bit. Now everyone was fast asleep in sleeping bags scattered around the open area, and I sat alone with my thoughts. I knew that I had to get some sleep because my overactive imagination and mind were racing with a million details.
Roxie was part of about sixty percent or more of my thoughts. I had never been caught off guard by another human in my life. She was sexy as hell, caring, and honestly listened when you spoke to her. She didn’t have the blood-thirsty ruthlessness that I had come to imagine in reporters after my personal tragedy.
I could still remember the cameras, microphones in my face, and crying myself to sleep night after night. The extended family that had paraded me out for more interviews and their fifteen minutes of fame didn’t care about the scars digging deeper into my soul. Leaving that world behind was one of the easiest decisions of my life. So, finding myself letting someone with a camera back in – was shocking.
“Easton,” a worried little voice sounded behind me, causing me to spin toward the little alcove where Roxie had set up her tent for the night.
I moved slowly in that direction. The other group was clustered across the clearing, and Luca was off to the left, choosing a hammock situation. The man must have camped before because he had come prepared, and I gave him kudos for that effort. I found this group to be a unique combination and one of the more engaged, fun groups I’d traveled alongside in quite some time.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, drawing close to Roxie to see her face illuminated by the half-moon and remnants of the fire.
“There is something in that bag,’’ she said as she crouched next to her sleeping back.
She kept pointing to the bag, not exactly hysterical but headed in that direction. Though, for a city girl, I was giving her props for how calm she remained. I figured if it were something frightening, she would have woken the entire camp with her screaming by now.
“What do you mean?” I asked, staring at the bag. I didn’t immediately see any obvious movements of a larger critter. Maybe she was letting all those stories I told around the fire impact her more than they should.
“I think a snake,” she whispered.
I picked up the bag and flipped it up into the air. I was certain she imagined things until a little critter fell to the ground. I crouched quickly to ensure that it wasn’t one of the dangerous breeds.
“He didn’t get you, did he?” I asked as quietly as possible.
She just shook her head, though she was hugging her midsection.
“Good,” I laid the bag back out. “You should be good to go. I’m sure he slithered off to tell his friends to leave you alone,” I whispered.
“Easton,” she sighed. “Can’t you just sleep with me?”
The bulge behind the zipper of my jeans got painful, real fast at that request. I knew that I couldn’t do anything with her out here on the trail. It was crazy, as someone might need me. That said, crawling into her sleeping bag and staying close to her would short wire my good intentions.
