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Aiden helped her out of the vehicle, and she appreciated leaning into him. She had to wake up and help him build a shelter. Kingston handed over a long, skinny bag that must have had all the supplies they’d mentioned. He shook Aiden’s hand and gave her a side hug. Stuart did the same.
“See you tomorrow,” Kingston said.
“Bright and early,” Aiden returned.
Stuart laughed, and they both climbed into the Humvee and set off. The sun was setting. It was probably mid-seventies right now, but it would cool off with the sun gone and up in the mountains like they were.
Aiden shifted the bag to his left hand and clasped her left hand with his right. He directed her toward the thick forest. “Kingston said Shawn’s coordinates were a little different than ours. A little farther away from the castle and from where the wild turkeys are seen the most.” He grinned and winked at her.
Maybe it was an unfair advantage but truly the SEALs had all the advantage. A ten-mile run? Aiden could win every day of the week but not with her slowing him down. What could he do? Carry her?
They walked through some trees and into a small clearing. Even with the sun not completely gone, it was darker in the forest. Aiden released her hand, set the bag down, and pulled out the axe. He walked to a giant taro tree. Chalisa knew the Dissenters and Zealots ate a lot of taro. Aiden chopped down a huge pile of the massive leaves. Some of them were almost as long as he was.
Chalisa hurried to help him carry the pile to the middle of the clearing. The river wasn’t too far away, and its sound was soothing. He sorted the huge leaves and laid a layer on the ground and then smiled at her. “This is our bed tonight, love. Quick, easy, and we’ll stay warm. Luckily, there’s no rain in the forecast.”
“Luckily.” She looked over their bed. “It’s better than the ground.”
“For certain. Now, do you need to use the bathroom or anything before I cover us with the largest leaves?”
“No.” Thank heavens she didn’t, but she would before they got back to the castle tomorrow. That would be awkward.
“Okay. Lie down, love.”
He took her hand, and she sat on the ‘bed’ and took off her shoes. She lay down but sat up as he held a six-foot long leaf over her.
“I need to pray,” she said.
“Oh. Of course.” His gaze was neutral. She didn’t think he was a believer, but he’d never seemed antagonistic either. There was so much she didn’t know about him.
She rolled over to her knees and said a prayer of gratitude for safety and this day, for Aiden, for her family, she asked for their protection tonight and if possible could they win the million dollars. Even heavier on her mind, if possible could a miracle happen and Aiden could not have to fulfill some promise that would keep them apart the rest of their lives. It was probably wrong to pray against a promise. She said amen and rolled over, stretching out.
Aiden’s gaze trailed over her, and he smiled softly. “I need to clarify something.”
“What’s that?” She stared up at him in the deepening evening shadows.
“There has to be a rule in place.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to hold you close tonight to keep you warm.”
“So the rule is you can’t let me go?” She was teasing, but he was going to let her go, and soon.
“Tonight I can’t.”
The clarification stung, but he’d been honest with her about their lack of a future. She’d been the one to insist she wanted this time with him. She still wanted the time, but she selfishly wanted to change his life path.
“But I also can’t kiss you.”
“Oh.” She lifted her eyebrows. “I’m too tempting?”
“You have no idea.” His gaze traveled over her. “Are we agreed?”
“I suppose so. But tomorrow you’re going to have to kiss me every chance you get to make up for your lack tonight.” Chalisa was never bold, except in an emergency room where she knew her role and executed it. With Aiden, she was bold, brave, and tempting to him.
He chuckled. “Great plan.”
Tomorrow was their last day together. Or did they have Sunday? Her family wouldn’t want her to leave. She hadn’t had much time with them this week, but she had work on Monday. If she won the money, she’d have a lot of new work with her centers.
