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“He’s just kidding,” she said.
Tucker gave her a disappointed glance. “Let’s get your light set up before dark hits.”
She didn’t think she needed much help, but she let him assist anyway. When he moved the battery pack, he said, “That explains why your bag was so heavy.”
She told Craig and Martin to spread out and to keep their eyes open.
Tucker set up his tent in two minutes. “There’s a thermal sleeping bag in there, if anyone needs a warm-up break,” Tucker said and zipped the tent shut. He reached into his bag and pulled out a gallon-sized Ziploc. “Would anyone like foot or hand warmers?”
She didn’t, not yet, but it was a good idea.
When no one answered him, Tucker wordlessly put the bag back into his gear. “Okay, who has used bear spray before?” He pulled two canisters out of his pack, and he already wore one on his belt.
“Do you think we’ll need it?” Martin said, a tremor in his voice.
“I hope not.” Tucker said.
“There are no bears in the Black Hills,” Craig said.
“Officially, maybe not,” Tucker said, “but I’ve seen them.”
Craig rolled his eyes as if to call Tucker a liar. Wynona was usually pretty shrewd when it came to people spinning yarns, but she completely believed him.
“It’s called bear spray,” Tucker said, “but it will work on just about any predator, including people, too.” Tucker looked at her. “Do you need some?”
“I have some in my pack.” She felt foolish for leaving it in her pack and not on her belt where it was supposed to be.
“You should probably get it out before you need it,” Tucker said.
Yeah. Probably.
“What other kinds of predators are out here?” Martin asked, looking around.
“Mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, maybe a Sasquatch or two.”
Wynona bit back another giggle and Martin said, “Now you’re just messing with me.”
“Do you want the bear spray lesson or not?”
Martin nodded, and Tucker strode across the small clearing and handed him the canister. “Be careful with this. You’ll be sorry if you accidentally spray it into your eyes. Try to stay upwind of it.”
Martin nodded eagerly.
“This is the trigger. You push down with your thumb. It won’t work until he’s within about fifteen feet.” Tucker offered the last canister to Craig, who took it grudgingly. “You can thank me later.”
They all donned their head lamps.
“That’s smart,” Martin said to Tucker. “A red headlamp.”
Tucker didn’t respond, and Craig looked annoyed.
Wynona was wondering if she should have come up here alone, especially now that she had to pee. A little embarrassed that she already needed a break, Wynona discreetly headed into the dark, thick growth for some privacy. It was going to be a long night with these three very different men.
