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“Don’t be embarrassed,” Lucas said through the door. “I liked the view.”
My cheeks went from burning to totally on fire. “That’s not helping.” I raced across the room to find my pants from yesterday. I slipped them on, then grabbed a bra and fresh T-shirt. When I was presentable, I opened the door again. “Sorry. I was trying to get everything to fit in my backpack and I…” I took a breath and let it out slowly, before starting again. This time with less rambling. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
I motioned him into the room as I quickly braided my hair. I was sure if I looked in the mirror I would’ve been doubly embarrassed. Messy hair and no clothes. Way to start the day off right, Claudia. At least he seemed to not be bothered by it.
Oh no. Was I being awkward? We’d been getting close, now I wasn’t sure what to do… Was I supposed to hug him? I mean, I wanted to hug him, but what if he didn’t want to hug me?
Oh God. I wished Teresa or Cosette were here. I so desperately needed advice when it came to these kinds of things.
“Hang on,” Lucas said as he pulled me in for a hug. He ran his hand up and down my back a few times before stepping back. “This still looks bad.” He brushed a finger over the knot on my head. “How are you feeling today?”
I smiled. “Better. Thank you for taking such good care of me.” And for making me feel exponentially less awkward.
“My pleasure.” He grinned and I about melted. “Do you need help getting packed?”
“No. I’m almost finished. Just have to get it to zip.” I motioned to the bed. “Give me one second and I’ll be good to go.”
“Let me help.” He pressed everything down, and got the zipper closed in one smooth move. I’d been fighting with it for the past ten minutes.
“Okay, then.” He swung my pack up like it weighed nothing.
Wolves were ridiculously strong. I always forgot that until one of them did something to remind me how very different they were. “You don’t have to carry that. I can get it.”
“I’ll carry our stuff. Hiking the mountains is tiring enough. You’ve got a head injury, bruised ribs, and some nice gashes… This is easy for me. Let me help you.”
Maybe he had a point. “Okay.”
“Let’s go.”
As we left the hotel, I realized that just one little hug and some reassurance from Lucas had me feeling so much better. How had he done that? Was it some kind of pack magic? Or was it just him?
Either way, I didn’t care. I felt stronger and more sure of myself. We were going to get to Raphael in time. There was no other option.
Failure wasn’t a possibility. I wouldn’t even entertain it.
As we loaded up the car, I let my fear go. It didn’t help anything to be afraid.
Lucas handed me the map. “I’m going to drive us as far as I can, and then we’ll be hiking the rest of the way.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Better buckle up. The road there is pretty rough.”
“Got it.” I clicked my seat belt and then rested my hands on my thighs as he started driving. About a minute onto the road, his hand settled over mine.
I peeked over at him, and he grinned. I couldn’t keep looking at him without breaking into a fit of embarrassing giggles, so I kept staring out the window while I laced our fingers together.
It was nearly unbelievable. I’d somehow found my match in the middle of all this craziness.
***
When Lucas finally stopped the car, all I could see was dense foliage. The ride up the mountain had been so bad that I’d squeezed my eyes shut. My heart had been pounding so hard for so long, I felt like I’d already had a workout.
I took a look around. What little bit of road was in front of us abruptly ended and a large tree with gnarled roots stood in the way of the car. We weren’t at the top of the mountain, but we were close. To the right, I could see the valley below us. Off in the distance, a small town. But ahead of us and to the left there was nothing but forest.
“Come on. We walk from here.” Lucas grinned at me, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Lucas shoved his door into the dirt wall next to the van.
One smile, and I was mush. This was pathetic.
