Page 89 of Roughing It

Again, I go through all the steps, checking my position and body angle. The arrow flies in a perfect line and distance, hitting the target.

“In your smug, adorable face!” I dance around, arms over my head.

Hudson rolls his eyes. “Yes, you’re practically the goddess of the hunt.”

“Hmmm… I like that comparison.” I wink and stand with my feet wide, hands on my hips. “Will you worship me as befitting a goddess?”

With a snort, he says, “String up your next shot. You’re hitting the target, but the goal is the center.”

“Mind how you speak to me, mortal.”

I’m going through my steps when Hudson jogs by andsmacks me on the ass, the firm clap of his palm making me jolt. My body automatically turns, following his.

And I release the arrow.

It’s like slow motion. The arrow leaves the bow, cutting through the short distance between us. I scream as the broadhead nicks Hudson’s arm, ripping his flannel shirt and leaving a thin rivulet of blood.

Holy fucking shit. I shot him.

“Hudson! Are you okay?” I drop my bow and rush to him.

He stares at me. Is he in shock? My eyes dart around the clearing. Can I get us home from here? Which way is fucking north? Did he teach me about plants that can staunch wounds? Crap. I can’t remember anything.

Then I hear Hudson’s loud, rumbly laugh. “Spitfire, you shot me.”

“I didn’t shoot you! Well, I did, but not on purpose! You spanked me, and I… are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just a scrape.” He rotates his arm, inspecting the wound, and grins. “Tis but a flesh wound.”

He must not feel too bad if he’s making Monty Python references, but still. I. Shot. Him.

As close as he was, it could have been much, much worse. What would I do if something happened to him?

Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I cringe when he winces. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

“Blakely.”

My eyes blur as blood wells on his bicep. I did that to him. I hurt him. And I’m going to be trapped out here because I can’t learn the things he’s trying to teach me. How can I be so bad at all this?

“Blakely! Stop.” Hudson hugs me tight. “Breathe.”

I match the rhythm of my chest to his until my heart isn’t pounding in my throat.

“Shit, baby. You look worse than me, and I’m the one who was attacked.”

“That’s not funny! I hurt you.”

“No, you didn’t. And it was my fault. I shouldn’t have spanked you.” He frowns. “I’m thirty-five, and I’ve been doing expeditions professionally for close to fifteen years, but in the last seventeen days, I’ve made more mistakes than ever.”

Does he mean me? Am I the mistake?

His arms tighten. “Mistakes like flirting with you while you have a sharp object in your hand. I swear, I turn into a complete idiot around you.”

Resting my head over his heart, I murmur, “Not acompleteidiot. Just a partial one.”

He chuckles, then lifts my chin so our eyes meet. “That’s a wrap on shooting for today.”

A laugh bubbles from the back of my throat. “Agreed.” Slipping from his arms, I gather all our supplies and load them into the back of the Jeep. Then I hold out my hand. “Give me the keys.”

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