AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, if they’ve discovered we were in Stanley, they’ll check everywhere in both directions. Aviss wants us off the highway for a bit. I think it’s more likely they’ll go toward the Bitterroot, though. With that direct threat, they’ll expect us to return.” He followed the signs, passing lots of empty-appearing houses, and parked in an empty lot near a small structure labeled “bathhouse.” Most residents probably walked to the springs, and a lot of the structures looked like vacation homes. “Do you have a suit and sandals?”
Sam grimaced. “No. But I grabbed some stuff that will work.” She got out and opened the back door, rooting through her bag. “Got to use the bathroom, anyway. I’ll be right back.” She trotted to the bathhouse.
Trevor locked the Jeep and followed. He wasn’t leaving her completely alone, not for a second. Hot springs weren’t the best idea, but he couldn’t tell her no, either. And honestly, he would love a quick soak, too. His muscles were stiff from all the driving and tension.
Sam emerged in a huge, baggy hoodie that came halfway to her knees and white tennis shoes with gold circles on them. “I hate to ruin designer shoes in a hot spring, but you’re right. We can’t go barefoot.” She shook her head. “I’m probably being really stupid and selfish to suggest this, aren’t I?”
“You’re not stupid or selfish. Not at all.” He turned back to the Jeep, and she joined him. “You’re a fish out of water, looking for some comfort. If I really thought they were hot on our heels, I’d have kept driving.” He stopped at the Jeep. “Not sure I have anything suitable for hot springs, either.”
“Just wear underwear.” Sam shrugged. “That’s what I’m doing.”
Trevor’s breathing seized, and he coughed. He wasn’t sure his heart could take Sam in a sexy bra and panty set.
Sam glowered at him. “A sports bra and boy shorts. Covers more than most swimsuits.”
He rubbed his aching chest. “Of course. Sorry.” He had to control his overactive imagination.
Her eyebrows rose and her mouth twisted. “You said be ready to move. That’s not lacy lingerie, and I’m not wearing that around you, anyway.”
“Yeah. Of course.” He pulled out a pair of running shorts, his running blade, and his right foot shower shoe. Not ideal, but it’d work. “Is it a shared bathhouse or separated by sex?”
“Separate changing areas, single toilet.” She opened the back door of the Jeep.
“Stay sharp. I’ll be right back.” Inside, the door to the toilet was first, with the left side labeled “Men.” The small changing room had hooks on the walls and a single bench. He changed, pulling his hoodie and hat back on, then returned to the Jeep. Grabbing his go bag, he made sure the essentials were inside.
When he closed the vehicle door, Sam was shouldering her backpack and handed him a towel. Which reminded him; they’d need water. He retrieved bottles from the back, handing two to Sam and shoving three into his pack. He locked the Jeep and followed the signs down to the river on a well-maintained trail winding through the pines.
Sulfur tickled his nose, and then the river and hot springs came into view. Steam rose from rocks on the hillside, cascading down to the creek below. Stacked rocks created rough pools. “Looks like we soak down there.” The springs appeared empty, but they were there at an odd time for soaking.
“Yep. Let’s go.” Sam trod the trails to the lower pools, crossing the steaming spring water cautiously. At the deepest pool, they rounded the far side and dropped their bags.
Not needing more temptation, he turned away from Sam and pulled off his hoodie, draping it over his bag. He made sure his pistol was within reach, while remaining concealed. Then he stepped down into the water. “Whoa.” His real leg burned.
“It’s a bit hot.” Sam stood in the waist-deep pool. While her deep green sports bra and short-shorts covered more than most swimsuits, they didn’t make her less desirable. She pulled her hair to the top of her head and secured it with a band.
Trevor looked at his feet, not needing more reasons to react inappropriately. He stepped down, the water rising to his chest, taking his breath for a moment until he got accustomed to the heat. He watched the trail to the springs for any movement.
“Ah.” Sam, under water to her neck, shut her eyes with a slight smile; the very picture of bliss. “I found the perfect spot with just enough river water mixing in.” She opened her eyes and grinned. “There’s enough room here, if it’s too hot there.”
It was definitely too hot, but it wasn’t just the water—it was Sam. Trevor grabbed his bag and lifted it over Sam’s head, setting it on a large rock. Icy water mingled with hot unpredictably, making sure he wouldn’t relax too much. He adjusted a rock and the flow from the river split, leaving him a small area in the perfect temperature. He lowered his body, finding a water-smoothed rock low enough to sit on while keeping his shoulders above the water. “Ready to hear the story?” He glanced at Sam, then returned to watching the trail.
“Yes. I’m guessing this is something you should have told me a long time ago.”
He couldn’t look at her, or he’d lose his nerve entirely. “Yes, I should have. Instead, I acted out like a little kid.”
“In all fairness, we were both kids. We were oddly sheltered and emotionally abused in different ways. Both of our fathers were determined to control us, rather than encourage us to grow.” She put her hand on his forearm.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then turned to her. The urge to pull her into his arms was almost overwhelming, but he resisted. He had to tell her everything. He couldn’t hold anything back.
Sam’s head tilted slightly. “If we’d stayed together, I don’t think either of us would have accomplished what we have.” She swallowed hard. “I’ve held on to a lot of anger for a very long time. No matter what you tell me, it’s time to let it go, for me, if not for you.”
Those words should be comforting, but instead, they rang alarm bells. Even if she heard him out and forgave him, it seemed unlikely she’d stay. He rubbed his aching heart, but he was entitled to nothing. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I’ve acted like a jerk for a long time, and your anger is justified because I could have handled everything better. Especially more recently.” He turned to watch the incoming trail and rubbed the back of his neck. “I have grown, but you couldn’t tell from the way I acted over the last few months. You, on the other hand, have been perfect.”
She snorted. “No one is perfect. I’m far from it.”
“You’re as close as I’ll ever see.” He shrugged and shot a glance at her. She half sat, half floated in the water, seemingly relaxed. He didn’t want to bare his soul, his baggage, or his past, but he had to or they didn’t have a prayer. “Okay. I’ll stop stalling. You know I argued with my father a lot in high school. What you didn’t know was that we were continually one payment away from losing the farm. Dad was counting on me getting scouted by a pro team, and he was on my back to work harder.” Both of them had been idiots. “Of course, I reacted badly to that. He was expecting me to take care of his responsibilities and make up for his lousy management. He insisted on farming the way his father and grandfather had done it, instead of changing with the times.”
He stared at his feet, wavering through the running water, unable to look at her while confessing just how selfish and childish he’d been. “So, rather than studying hard and working out, I partied. Plus, I was mad because you didn’t come to my school, and I acted out about that too. I was as dumb as you can be.” He glanced at her, then returned to his feet, so ashamed by his actions.
