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CHAPTERFIVE
JAKE
We makeour way out of the range of the wildfire, but it’s slow going. I watch from behind her as she moves through the groves, and I’m grateful she at least is wearing reasonable hiking shoes.
There’s no denying the beautiful woman before me is afraid, but it’s not only the fire. It’s also me. Her minor freak-out tells me there’s a guy in her past who fucked her up majorly, and I hate him. Like gut hate.
Watching her closely, I can’t tell how fucked up she is. There’s not enough time to determine what that may be, so I’ll keep a look out and pray I can get the both of us out of here safely.
The slow pace we’re moving isn’t ideal, but she’s still moving forward, and it’s all I need for now. If I need to push her, I’m not sure she’ll listen to me if the time comes. I feel like I’m pressing my luck right now. I’m hoping that won’t be the case.
Kraine’s right by her side and seems to be guiding her along, looking at me and nudging her side to keep on the path. She constantly drops her hand and strokes his head and ears. She’s not even aware she does it. The move seems like a safety blanket for her. With how close the two are, I’m not sure someone else would even fit into their world.
Maitlyn turns her head as she glances back, her face is flush, and beads of sweat roll down from her hairline and get lost in the collar of her shirt. I fight the urge to groan and see where those beads lead to.
“Need water?”
Glancing at her face, I take in her question. “Yeah. Let’s take a break.”
Her eyes soften as relief settles over her. People don’t train like I do. Hundred-pound rucks for ten mile hikes. It edges on ridiculous.
Slowly moving around her, I find a couple of rocks for us to sit on, and before I can sit, Kraine takes mine and gives me his dopey smile with a dangling tongue.
“Buddy, I need to rest, too.” Patting the rock above Maitlyn’s and mine, I say, “Here, you sit there.”
The dog moves quickly, twirls, and then plops down.
Handing over the canteen to Maitlyn, I search through my rucksack for the collapsible cup I keep on hand. Maitlyn takes a couple of small drinks and hands it back so I can pour some water into the cup for Kraine. Setting the water in front of him, he starts lapping at the water.
“Thanks. He’s had plenty of water today, but this is intense, so I’m sure he’s thankful.” Her gratitude on behalf of her sidekick makes my insides slick. One of the reasons I work so hard to stop and limit tragic taking of animal life in the forest by fires.
She takes another drink and hands the canteen over to me so I can take a few swigs. Her lips dewy and her tiny pink tongue darts out to catch a final drop.
“I don’t think we’ll make it to the Ranger station before dark, but there’s a place up ahead that can hold us safely for the night.”
The easygoing look in Maitlyn’s eyes vanishes. “Are you… are you sure? Maybe we can keep—”
Shaking my head slowly, I watch her. “The fire will push bears and wildlife this way. You don’t want to face that. They’ll move forward during the night, and we won’t be able to see them well enough. We can get a fresh start in the morning.” I take another swig of the water.
The smoke is chasing us, and the haze is beginning to get a bit thicker, almost like looking through a fine mesh screen on a door.
Maitlyn looks down at her hands as she intertwines her fingers and fiddles with her cuticles. Without looking up, she starts talking. “Um. I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I’m just not sure I feel comfortable spending the night with you.” Her eyes widen, her head jumps up, and she stares at me. “I mean, not spending-spending the night, but spending the night. Fuck! You know what I mean.”
Fighting back a chuckle at how tongue-tied and twisted she’s getting; I can’t help but think how adorable it is. Her sweet face is cherubic in the fall sunset. Her strawberry-red hair, a lighter tone than mine, frames her face like a halo. She is simply the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, inside and out.
But as much as I want her to trust me, that’s going to be a hard fight to win. My past has taught me trust can turn on you, and it’s not something I’m willing to risk ever again.
It’s why I can’t take the sheriff’s position. The sheriff needs to be a trusting and trustworthy individual. I’m neither of those regardless of what Sheriff Dunning thinks.
Sitting in silence, we share the canteen, taking small sip, but it’s time to get going again when the wind picks up. I grab the canteen and pack it back in my rucksack. We can’t overindulge just to be safe. Kraine finishes his drink, and I collapse the cup and put it in the bag. Taking the much-needed break has brought the throbbing of my ankle to the forefront of my mind. I can’t push off the rock while I sit here, and before long, I’m grimacing, wishing for an ice pack and somewhere to put it up.
“You okay?” She hesitates, but there’s a genuine concern on her face.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Showing weakness isn’t in my DNA. I’d rather eat dirt than let anybody see me, not handle myself.
The wind kicks up and swirls her hair around her face again, and she struggles to fight it back.
Shit, an out draft.
