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We move quietly through the trees, hand in hand the entire time. I feel the excitement oozing from Hannah’s expression, her eyes bright and alert.
“Listen out for animals,” I say, helping her down a steep trench where I’ve seen wild berries before. “Wolves and bears can appear out of nowhere around here.”
“You’ve seen a bear?” Hannah gasps.
“Yeah, he was far enough away that I didn’t have to worry, though. It’s best to keep it that way…” I look at the blank look Hannah’s shooting me. “Obviously.”
She huffs a laugh. “Yes, probably a good idea to stay away from the enormous bear, Colt.”
I chuckle and crouch down when I see a small collection of mushrooms at the base of a tree. I pluck my knife from my belt and cut right at the base. Hannah’s keen eye observes every slice I make, and I pass her the soft fungi until her cupped hands are filled.
“That should be enough,” I say, standing straight. “Now if we can get a few of these berries, I’ll show you something very special.”
I move across to the dark green shrub on the edge of the bank. I look back to the fire and it’s burning brightly in the dark backdrop of the forest. Hannah follows closely, appearing as though she’s in her element.
“You’re connected to the earth, you know that?” I say, kneeling down to collect the tiny red berries. “I can sense it. You aren’t scared like most people when they come up here.”
Hannah laughs, dropping the mushrooms to help me pluck berries from the shrub.
“You didn’t see me when I took a few wrong turns on the way up here.” I pile the berries near the mushrooms, listening to every word she says. “I’m telling you, if another five minutes went by, I was driving down that road.”
I growl. “Not in that storm, you weren’t.”
She nods, eyes wide. “See. Not connected to the land. I had no idea it would be that bad despite my brother’s warnings.”
I wave a hand. “Ah, don’t worry about that. We all have lapses in judgement sometimes.”
I swallow the words, unsure whether I’m talking to her or myself. We continue to chat as the assortment of different sized berries grows beneath us. We laugh and joke, reminiscing about school, the weekends we spent together and the hard times we lived through together.
It’s the first time we’ve talked like this. And I never want it to stop.
For a moment, the sights and sounds of my favorite place disappear. Instead, I’m listening to Hannah’s laugh. I’m watching her talk, completely entranced by her.
“That should do, shouldn’t it?” Hannah says, forcing me to break the stare.
An impressive pile is at my feet and I didn’t realize just how many we’ve plucked from the bush. “Oh, shit. Yes. Wow.”
Hannah sniggers, her entire face bright with pure satisfaction. “This is fun. Now what?”
A sudden chill sweeps over my body as her gaze wanders slowly over me. She waits for my command, and I just want to grab hold of her and smother her with kisses. I want to hold her and take her right here.
But that’s not what she wants, at least not right now.
“Well, we have vegetables. We have fruit. The only thing missing from a true mountain man’s diet is some protein,” I advise, gathering the food together. “Have you ever caught a fish, baby girl?”
Hannah shrugs. “I went fishing with Xavier once, but we didn’t catch anything.”
“Then come with me. I’ll teach you how to catch a fish the way men were supposed to catch a fish.”
I grab her hand, squeeze tight and lead the way to the river dipping beneath the dense forest. Clear, cool water flows steadily through the land, lush vegetation surrounding the bank. The sound of water rippling over rocks and other obstacles is soothing, the river filled with life, but most importantly…
“Leaping salmon.” I pull my boots off and roll my pants around my ankles. “The freshest you’ll ever eat. But don’t be fooled, they won’t just jump in your hands.”
Hannah remains still on the riverbank, her face glowing in the gentle sunshine.
“What do you mean my hands? We’re not…” She watches my step into the middle of the river, spread my legs wide and dip my hands into the cool water. “Oh, right. I guess we are then. We’re catching fish with our hands.”
I laugh, and gesture for her to join me.
