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“Shit,” Wyatt said as raindrops began to fall. “I was hoping the storm would miss us.”
“Yeah. I think the chance of rain was only like ten percent or something. Just our luck,” she joked.
“These tropical storms blow through Kauai all the time. It’s actually one of the rainiest places on Earth. Oahu is usually pretty temperate.”
“It’s my bad luck,” Callie said.
“Nah. You’re anything but bad luck.” He rested his hand on the small of her back, guiding her ahead of him. Wyatt found that he liked keeping Callie close. Not that she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself, but he enjoyed doing things for her. Watching out for her. Wyatt had her backpack on again, despite her protests. He wanted to laugh. They hauled heavy rucksacks and gear through all sorts of God-awful terrain, often with insurgents shooting at them. Her lightweight backpack on a clearly marked trail was nothing. Despite Callie being taller than average for a woman, she was slender. He’d guess that he had nearly a hundred pounds on her. The chivalrous part of him didn’t want her to be stuck hauling stuff around when he was there and could easily do it for her.
“Well, we’re halfway back to the car,” Callie said. “If we get wet, we get wet.”
He smiled despite himself. Despite her declaration of having bad luck, she was an optimistic, glass half full type of person. She hadn’t complained once during their adventure today. Wyatt was sure she had bad days like everyone else, but in general, she had a happy disposition. He tended to be the same. Sure, shit happened, but you moved forward. Life went on.
“Do you have plans later on?” he asked.
Callie looked back at him in surprise. “No. How about you?”
“Negative. I was thinking maybe I could cook you dinner—nothing fancy,” he said with a wry smile. “I already told you I’m not the most fantastic cook. It’d be something simple. I do still want to take you out later this week, too.”
“Assuming you’re not sent out.”
“Yep,” he said easily. “There’s always a chance that’ll happen. Like I said, there are some situations we’re monitoring.”
“I could probably be talked into dinner,” she said with a smile. Before he could respond, the skies opened. Warm rain poured down over them as she shrieked in surprise. Wyatt grabbed her hand, and they began to hurry down the muddy trail. Callie was giggling, happy as she stuck close to him. Some women would be pissed as hell at getting soaked like this. Sure, they’d been wet from swimming earlier, but now her dry clothes were wet as well, along with her backpack. It looked fairly water resistant but might not keep everything fully dry.
She glanced up at him, tightening her fingers around his. He’d grabbed hold of the hand on her bad arm, but she hadn’t flinched.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “We can switch sides.”
“I’m good. Just don’t try to arm wrestle me or something,” she joked. “I’m surprised you even noticed my arm bothers me sometimes. Nearly dropping my backpack earlier gave it away, I suppose, but it seemed like you realized it at the bar the other night, too.”
“I’m trained to be observant,” Wyatt admitted. “I pay attention to small details other people miss. That can mean life or death for us when we’re on a mission. I’ve got to notice everything. Plus, you’re hard to ignore,” he said, his voice growing deeper. “I singled you out on the plane, and it wasn’t just because of your broken arm. It’s you.”
“I’m impressed that—whoa!”
Wyatt caught her elbow as she nearly slipped on a muddy section of the trail. Her hand had landed on his abs, and he felt his muscles tightening. He didn’t mind Callie’s hands on him at all.
“Geez. You’re pretty steady on your feet,” she said, letting go as she regained her footing.
“What? This is nothing,” he joked. “We parachute into enemy terrain, scale buildings—all that good stuff.”
“Show-off,” she teased, but he caught the amusement in her eyes.
Wyatt slowed his pace, not wanting Callie to fall. He’d assumed she’d want to get out of the rain, but he should have known better. She didn’t seem overly concerned to be stuck in the deluge. Besides, they’d be back at his car soon. He kept a change of clothes in his duffle bag in the back. Wyatt would get her dry and warm in no time.
“We’ll have to take off our boots so we don’t get mud all over your car,” she said. “I knew there was a reason I packed my flip-flops.”
“Smart. You’re a seasoned traveler, so you know all the secrets.”
“Some of them. My mom can’t believe how light I pack,” Callie admitted, looking up at the sky as the rain temporarily slowed. “And it’s not light compared to backpackers. I have an actual suitcase I’m rolling alongside myself. I’ll admit that lightweight, easily washable clothes serve me well. Layers. And yes, I always have a pair of flip-flops. They’re not supportive for any lengthy excursion, but they weigh almost nothing, so I always toss in a pair.”
“I’m pretty efficient when it comes to packing. I keep a go-bag in my trunk in case it’s urgent. The good news is, that means I’ve got a change of clothes in the back of my SUV. You can put my sweatshirt on when we get back if you’re cold.”
“A man after my own heart,” she joked.
He smiled, unable to resist tugging her closer and pressing his lips to her temple. They’d gotten more affectionate with one another throughout the afternoon. He wasn’t a touchy-feely guy, but hell. He loved having her right at his side.
After walking the rest of the way back, slowed only somewhat by the rain, they finally reached the trailhead. Wyatt’s SUV was the only vehicle left in the lot, the other hikers having gone. “Is the road okay to drive out of here?” Callie asked, looking worried as she looked in that direction.
