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She nodded. “That could’ve been a bad fall for both of us. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Still, he held onto her, liking how warm and soft she was. Having someone this close reminded him of how long it had been since he’d been with a woman.
Too long.
“You can let go now,” Leilani said.
“The trail’s narrow and damp here,” he said. “Are you sure you can stand without slipping over the edge?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“I’d feel better if you held onto my hand as you rise.”
“Deal,” she said.
When he released his hold around her waist, he reached for her hand and held on tightly.
Leilani managed to stand on the trail. She grabbed for a nearby root jutting out of the side of the hill and held on as Angel eased to his feet.
“If it’s all right with you,” she said, “I’d rather not risk another fall.”
He grinned. “Same. We can go back down to where the others are. I’ll go first, but please, continue to hold onto me until we reach the bottom.”
She hadn’t removed her hand from his and didn’t, even after they made it to the base of the hill.
Reid lay sprawled across a large boulder, soaking up the sunshine in his navy-blue Speedo swimsuit.
Dev and Teller were emerging from the pool as Angel and Leilani rejoined the group.
Dev’s gaze zeroed in on Angel and Leilani’s joined hands, and his eyebrows shot up. “Look who got the jump on me.” He tipped his head toward them. “Turn my back for a minute, and the Angel gets one step ahead of the Dev.” He winked.
Teller stepped up on shore and shook the water from his hands and arms. “Shut up, Dev. It’s not like you had a claim.”
Leilani pulled her hand free of Angel’s and shoved it into the back pocket of her jeans. “If you’ve all had enough time here at Twin Falls, we should be moving on to our next stop. Let’s make our way back to the bus.”
She left Angel with the guys and hurried over to help the ladies pack their blankets and snack wrappings.
Reid rolled to his feet, pulled on his khaki pants and boots and dragged his polo shirt over his head. Dev and Teller dressed quickly and shoved their feet into their boots.
Soon, they were on the way back to the bus, moving a little faster going downhill than when they’d ascended the trail.
Angel hung back, not wanting to crowd Leilani. Though he missed holding her hand.
When they arrived at the bus, Leilani stopped short and muttered a curse. “Son of a bitch.”
Angel hurried forward. “What’s wrong?”
She tipped her chin toward the rear of the bus. “Flat tire.”
Angel frowned and bent to inspect the tire. The sidewall had a large slash in the rubber.
Reid walked around the other side of the bus and called out, “It’s not the only flat tire. Two more on this side.”
“I only have one spare.” Leilani pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket.
Angel pulled out his cell phone at the same time, glad to note it hadn’t been broken in their fall and that it had reception.
Leilani scrolled through her contacts, selected one and placed her call. “Hey, I could use some help. I have a group of ten plus me at Twin Falls—no engine trouble...flat tires. You heard me right. Three out of four. Slashed. We’ll be here waiting for rescue. Thanks.”
