Page 70 of Finn

As I raise the bear spray so I can hold it out in front of me, I feel Sammie grab the back of my coat with both her hands.

She’s clearly scared and holding onto me for dear life.

But she needn’t worry.

If it comes down to an attack, and the spray doesn’t work—which is always a possibility—I’ll stay and fight. That will give her time to run and get back to the cabin.

I love her so much that I will absolutely lay down my life for her.

There’s no question in my mind.

The movement in the brush intensifies, and whatever is in there is about to emerge onto the trail.

As I continue to hold up the bear spray, I reach back with my other hand to touch Sammie.

“I love you,” I say. And then I tell her, “If it’s a bear and the spray doesn’t work, run back to the cabin as fast as you can.”

“What about you?” she whispers.

“I’ll stay and fight. I’m pretty sure I can hold the bastard off long enough for you to escape.”

She pauses, then, with conviction, she says, “No,yourun back to the cabin. I’ll stay.”

Oh my God, I can’t believe we’re arguing about who’s going to save whom.

I’m touched like you wouldn’t believe that she’s willing to go up against a fuckingbearto save me, but no way.

“Ah, no, Sammie,” I state firmly. “You run when I tell you to.”

She doesn’t answer, and I think we’re both about to be fucked.

But then, from the brush, the animal emerges.

And…

“It’s a fucking deer!” I exclaim, feeling a wave of relief like I haven’t felt in, well, ever as I lower the bear spray and release one long-ass breath.

We don’t need the spray.

And no one has to run.

Or worse yet, fight.

Thank fuck.

Sammie, still fisting my coat, leans to the right and peeks past me. “Aww,” she coos. “Look! She has her babies with her. That’s why they were making so much noise in the brush. And wow, there are three of them.”

Sure as shit, there are three fawns emerging from the brush to join their black-tailed doe mom.

I relax my shoulders and laugh. “I can’t believe this.”

Sammie lets go of my coat. “Well, at least we were prepared.”

“Speaking of which…” I turn around to face her. “What was with that ridiculous notion of you staying to scare off or fight, of all things, a bear and me running back to the cabin?” I shake my head. “That will never happen, babe. If we ever do encounter a dangerous animal, you get away as fast as you can.I’lldo the fighting.”

“I don’t know if I can do that, Finn,” she says, her eyes holding mine. It’s like all of her heart is reflecting in them. “I love you too much, and I can’t lose you.”

I touch her cheek. “You think I can lose you?”

---