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“Um … yeah. Let’s do it.” He tentatively returned her smile.
Was she only playing for the cameras, or did she truly not hate him for kissing her like she was his one true love and then telling her they would never work? He felt like such a jerk. The only comfort was it would be better now to distance himself, rather than letting her get more invested in a relationship then reveal he was dying.
They busied themselves getting breakfast, organizing and loading their backpacks, and putting batteries in the GoPros before turning them on. They set off toward the west side of the island, planning to walk the perimeter and hack their way inland anytime they saw a flag.
Talking as they walked, they shared stories about her Texas town, his Chicago inner-city neighborhood, her family, his mom, the military, and her schooling. He tried to be careful what he shared—the cameras were rolling—but Brylee was so intriguing to talk to he found himself letting down his guard far too often.
They spotted two flags before lunch. Brylee’s excitement was infectious, and Cash quickly hacked a path to each flag. Using the collapsible shovel in his pack, they dug past the deadfall and duff layer down to the hard-packed earth. They looked through the trees and brush, but never found a hint of treasure. Brylee kept her great attitude throughout the day and into the evening as they finished their perimeter walk and made it back to camp as the sun went down. All told, they’d found four flags todaybut no treasure. Cash catalogued how far apart the flags were to each other and to the island’s perimeter. It didn’t give him any answers to the treasure yet, but soon.
They ate and washed off quickly in the waterfall pool and went to bed early. She said nothing about him sleeping outside the tent, simply wished him a good night. Cash lay on top of his sleeping bag, looking at the stars above, listening to the waterfall, and wondering if Brylee was a straight-up angel or the best actress in the world. He leaned toward the angel but his rational mind obviously didn’t work well when she was around, so she could be acting. As good as she was at funny accents, she could be an incredible actress.
Chapter
Ten
Day three was moreof the same. Brylee was adorable, sweet, fun to chat with, un-complaining, in great shape, smart, beautiful… Basically, she was driving Cash to distraction. He watched her apply that cinnamon lip gloss far too often and could swear he tasted cinnamon every time.
He had no choice but to touch her waist, lower back, hip, arm, or hand often to help her over or around different obstacles. He couldn’t get enough of her, and he couldn’t figure out why she didn’t hate him. He wanted to tell her exactly why they could never be together and have her find a way around it.
That would never happen, and it wouldn’t be fair to her. Knowing Brylee, she’d volunteer to love him and take care of him until he died. That thought made him squirm with discomfort that had nothing to do with dying a miserable death.
He never wanted her to see him weak. He wanted her to look at him as her hero and protector. She did, often, and he ate it up.
Becoming and being a Green Beret had been the most difficult feat he’d ever done in his life. It was all about sacrifice, pushing yourself past human limits, self-control, and hard work.He was accustomed to hitting goals, saving lives, and being commended for unreal accomplishments.
He wasn’t used to being around an angelic sweetheart who made him feel ten feet tall and made him laugh and smile more than he ever could remember doing.
After three days with Brylee, Cash decided being a Green Beret might not be the most difficult accomplishment of his life—not kissing Brylee might take that award.
On day three, they explored a creek they’d found on the east side during their perimeter trip yesterday. The creek had less volume than the waterfall and stream by camp, but it at least cut through the thick island growth so they could walk up it without him taking out his machete. They walked along its banks looking for flags and found two not far off the path, only fifteen to twenty minutes of machete work to carve a trail to each. In his mind, Cash drew a line from the flag they’d found yesterday closer to the beach but in line with these two flags. Interesting. Two flags before lunch on the third day. Granted, none of them had any treasure, but seven flags down and only eighteen more to go. More importantly, there might be a pattern.
They reached a high point of the island, and the creek disappeared under a small waterfall. Cash thought they were within a football field of the spring that fed the huge waterfall. The spring they’d found the first day. This creek bubbled from a different source. As thick as the foliage was, he couldn’t see the other spring. How much rain did this island receive to have these naturally occurring springs flowing freely? Would they miraculously escape a downpour this week? He doubted it.
They took off their backpacks, ate the lunch they’d packed, and soaked their tired and sweaty feet in the stream. Cash watched in anguish as Brylee splashed water on her face and arms and neck. A water fight sounded ideal right now—a water fight with his ideal woman.
He stood and walked downstream a few feet. Distance. That would help. Turning, he looked back at her.
She blinked up at him. Was it natural for her lashes to be so long and dark? Her lips glistened in the sun. Had she just applied that lip balm? Cinnamon.
Cash licked his own lips. He should look away.
Her blue eyes sparkled at him. So intriguing. So beautiful.
She cupped water in her hands and then splashed it on her neck. His mouth went dry.
Look away. He should look away.
She gave him a flirtatious smile. He wanted to kiss her so badly he could taste it.
Brylee’s look said she could read him like a flashing billboard in standstill freeway traffic.
She cupped more water in her hands and brought it to her lips, taking a drink and making those lips of hers sparkle even more.
Thirsty. He’d never been so thirsty for another person in his life. She was … delectable. Did she have any clue how appealing she was?
Of course she did. She was toying with him. He wasn’t frustrated with her about it. He’d kissed her and turned her away two nights ago and she’d been nothing but positive, kind, a ray of enticing sunshine.
Cash had to be strong. How did he explain it would hurt her worse if he let down his defenses again? He folded his arms across his chest. Defensive mode. He’d been a Green Beret.
