Page 75 of Hero's Prize

The groups were based on the degree to which the campers had expressed true interest in wilderness survival. Those who were completely interested—about half the students—were going with Bear, Theo, and Lilah. They’d be learning more advanced stuff and finding harder items on the scavenger hunt list.

Those who weren’t as interested in the finer nuances of survival would be sticking around the less-expert instructors like him and Ella.

It was all going to be fun no matter who the students and instructors were paired with, but Colton couldn’t help but keep an eye on which group Marshall decided to place himself in. It looked like he was heading toward the more advanced group until it became obvious Ashley was going to stick with Ella.

“Tough call, little man,” Colton muttered. But he wasn’t surprised when Marshall grabbed his backpack and headed toward the two ladies when it was time to go.

Colton did the exact same thing.

For a couple hours, they were with other campers and adults—everyone working together to find the items on the list: a yellow flower, a smooth rock, various types of edible plants. But as Ashley and Ella slowed down to take in more of the scenery and colors around them, Colton and Marshall found themselves falling back with them.

“I’m a little surprised you didn’t go with the advanced class,” Colton remarked to Marshall while the girls were over looking at a meadow of flowers and were out of earshot.

Marshall shrugged one shoulder while organizing the list ofitems he’d found. “I knew Ashley wouldn’t be interested in the advanced group. She likes learning about this stuff, but it’s not really her thing.”

“But is it your thing? Are you afraid you are missing out?”

“No offense, but all the survival stuff I can find online—videos, books, articles, interviews. Yeah, learning in person is optimal, but I have other options available.” He glanced over at Colton, probably to see if he’d just offended him.

He hadn’t.

“And since you can get that information other places, you’d rather spend the time you do have getting to know Ashley.”

“Yeah, exactly.” Marshall nodded solemnly. “Do you think that’s dumb?”

“The opposite. You can do a lot of things on your own, but spending time with that special someone is not one of them. Sometimes choosing the less exciting route is actually the more exciting route.”

The gals happen to look up and over at them at that very second. Both he and Marshall gave them a wave.

“Thanks for understanding,” Marshall said.

Colton understood much more than the kid could possibly know.

Since they were both at an unspoken agreement that they would be learning at the girls’ pace and helping them have fun rather than focusing too much on the scavenger hunt, everything seemed to slow down for them just to enjoy themselves and the company. Colton still tried to teach as much as he could—indicating more edible and dangerous plants, animal tracks as they saw them, and even a few critters here and there that were brave enough to show themselves. Ella and Ashley pointed out different colors and what baked goods were modeled after those different hues. Everyone talked and laughed and enjoyed themselves.

It was sort of like being on a mini double date. Colton had been all over the world with all sorts of famous people and wasn’t sure he’d ever had as good a time.

“Look at those—they’re gorgeous.” Ashley rushed off the path toward a group of flowers growing in tall columns in all different colors. “Can I pick some?”

“No!” both Colton and Ella called out before the girl could touch them. She turned around to them, eyes wide.

“Those are larkspur,” Ella explained. “Beautiful, but toxic.”

“Pictures only. Touching them will make you break out. Ingesting them?” Colton ran a finger across his throat in an exaggerated manner before making choking sounds and falling to the ground with his eyes closed.

Ella shook her head. “Guess he’s dead. Let’s leave him here for the animals.”

She squealed when he got up and chased her, tickling her until she begged for mercy when he caught her.

Her laugh was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.

It was almost time to head back to the main camp when Colton finally had a chance to talk to Ella alone as Ashley and Marshall stood on some large rocks overlooking the edge of the fast-flowing river. They’d slipped off their backpacks—Marshall helping Ashley—then climbed up to a high boulder.

“I would remind them to be careful, but they’re both more responsible than I am, so it seems like overkill.”

Ella laughed. “They are definitely little adults. It’s really nice to watch the two of them, isn’t it? Young love.”

“I don’t know about Ashley, but Marshall is definitely smitten.”

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