Page 102 of Roughing It

There’s a brief pause, and despite knowing better, I step closer.

“I’m fine, Kirk… trying not to worry about her. Instead, I’m focusing on enjoying my time with Hudson.”

Hearing her say that she wants to focus on our remaining days together eases some of the curdled milk feeling in my gut.

“Of course,” she snaps, and shit, I want to know what he asked her.

“Give me a break. You didn’t call to fuss at me about only posting stills. I’ll do a livestream soon enough. Is this about checking on me or because you’re worried about your bottom line?”

Fuck. Kirk is one of her people. If she’s lashing out at him, this is serious. And now that I think of it, she hasn’t done a video since our bow and arrow lesson. Even yesterday, outside of some staged photos while we were in town, she didn’t have her phone out.

I’m dropping the ball with her. Something big is going on with my girl.

Her voice rings louder, indignation sharpening her words. “You know what’s not fair? My mother threatening to drag me through the mud, talking about my childhood, and leaving nonstop messages to get money out of me!”

That’s it. I can’t sit in here with my thumb up my ass while she’s hurting. I plow through the cabin door and slide onto the porch swing next to Blakely like she’s motherfucking home plate.

Now that I’m out here with her, I can hear Kirk when he asks, “Do you plan on talking to her?”

Tears trail down her rosy cheeks, but anger sparks in her eyes. “No. You know how I feel about it. I can’t believe you expect me to reach out to her.”

I scoop her into my lap, hoping the gentle sway and closeness will be a calming balm. Her eyelids flutter, and she buries her nose in the crook between my neck and shoulder. Warm, wet droplets land on my collarbone.

Kirk’s face twists in discomfort and sympathy. “You don’t have to talk to her. And I’ll back you however you decide to handle this.”

“Good. Because it’s not happening.” Her voice is firm,leaving no room for discussion. With a quietgoodbye,she drops the phone.

“What was that about?”

“My mom.”

Those two words are the only answer she gives me. Questions buzz in my brain. There’s so fucking much we need to talk about. Her mom. The way she assumed the worst about Trail Creek yesterday. What’s going on between us. What happens when the countdown clock reaches zero. But my tongue is lead.

This relationship is a roller coaster on broken tracks. But I’ll be damned if I don’t try to weld the gaps and keep us on this ride for as long as I can.

“I’m taking you on a date.”

She lifts her head, eyes glassy with unshed tears, but the beginning of a smile plays on her lips. “A date?”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Figure it’s about time.”

That beautiful smile grows. “You’ve taken me on lots of dates.”

I blink twice. “I have?”

“Sure.” She pinches my side, and that little action untangles the knot in my chest. “Not traditional ones necessarily, but we’ve been on sunrise hikes, shopping in Trail Creek, had a picnic at a hot spring.” She pauses and wrinkles her nose. “I’m not counting the fishing trip.”

I wince, thinking about that disaster, but it also gives me an idea. “Tell you what. You enjoy the day. Relax, read one of your new books, take a long bath. Just be ready to go at six.”

She raises an eyebrow at me.

Pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, I move her out of mylap. “You’ll want your boots and waterproof jacket, but other than that, wear what you like.”

“What do you have up your sleeve, Bear?”

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