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“I didn’t want you to be grounded.”
I shake my head, a sad smile remembering those painful teenage years. “It didn’t work. I was always grounded.”
He leans in closer, his eyes on my lips. “You reallywerealways in trouble.”
“I was.”
My words are just a whisper, blocked by Colt’s mouth as he presses his lips against mine. A hand glides to my cheek and he holds me so gently, so lovingly. I feel his lips on mine and as he breaks the kiss and slowly walks away, I know without a doubt that I have fallen in love with this man.
My heart will never be the same.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Colt
Igetstartedonlighting the fire the moment I get back and see Hannah’s skin pebbling. Her clothes are clinging to her skin, my shirt wrapped tightly around her shoulders as she sits on one of the logs.
“This shouldn’t take long to heat up,” I say, laying the sticks in a tepee shape. “The springs always heat you up pretty quickly if you need.”
Hannah smiles. “I’m ok for now.”
I smile and get back to work, twisting one stick between my palms, twisting friction to heat the log below. I speckle the log with shavings of pine and other dried leaves that will catch the heat.
“You’re good at that,” Hannah says, eyeballing the smoke starting to rise from beneath the stick.
“Ah, it’s easy,” I reply, the stick crunching against the wood. “Come here, I’ll show you.”
Hannah hesitates before sinking down beside me, her knees in the dirt. I shuffle to make room and angle the stick so she grabs it.
“The idea is to keep the heat centered. Don’t move it around all over the place, or else we’ll be here all day.” Hannah grabs the stick and wedges it between her palms. “That’s it. Now just pretend you’re rolling out a sausage.”
She giggles and begins working the stick between her hands. I sprinkle more fuel for the smoke and slowly, a gentle orange glow begins to emerge.
Hannah looks at me, her eyes wide with surprise. “It’s working!”
I grin, admiring the way her eyes crinkle. “Keep going, don’t let up just yet. It’s time to blow some oxygen around the heat.” I bend down and puff my cheeks, gently adding air to the heat. “Just like this. You try.”
Hannah bends down, her lips pursed as she blows gently. The orange glow brightens with every breath she puffs on the wood. The smoke gets thicker and within a minute, a small flame appears.
“Fire!” Hannah calls out, beaming. “There’s fire!”
I stand up and flex. “She’s done it!”
We laugh together, slowly growing the campfire together. Warmth closes the space around the pit, and when the stack of wood is burning beneath roaring flames, we settle back and let the fire heat our hands.
“It’s perfect,” I say, shuffling in beside Hannah. “Much like you.”
Hannah smiles. “Well, even if I say so myself, I am impressed.” She looks around the forest, her beautiful green eyes searching. “What else can I do? I feel connected right now. Teach me your ways of the land.”
My chest feels like it jumps across and latches on to hers. Pride fills my heart, seeing my girl so enthusiastic about the land. The way she’s enjoying nature, getting involved and trying things out.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty hungry after all that work.” I stand to my feet and hold a hand out to lift Hannah up with me. “Have you ever foraged for food?”
“Foraged?” Hannah’s forehead crinkles. “No. The only food I’ve ever eaten has come from my pantry or the local diner.”
I clutch her hand. “That’s not real food. I’ll show you proper nutrients, come on.”
I lead the way down the path, leaving the fire cracking behind us. I know this land well enough that I’ll stay within sight of the flames, never letting the chance of something bad happening.
