Page 64 of Always Be an Us

I sweep her back up into my arms, carrying her princess style. She squeaks.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, we need to find shelter, don’t we?" I say, hopping onto a more stable rock embedded in the ground.

"Shelter?"

"Yes. It's going to rain, probably in the next fifteen minutes. If that."

My mind works as I walk. "We can attempt to find Rick's cabin, or we can sleep in the car. That’s the last option. If the rain is heavy enough it’s going to sweep us away. Also, a car won’t keep us safe from bear attacks."

"There are no bears in this forest."

"Great, but excuse me if I don’t take your word for it."

She grunts something as I step gingerly to the side, overcoming a steep part of the hill.

My leg slides a little on the soft ground.

Emma immediately barks out. "Be careful."

"I’m trying," I tell her, as I steady myself leaning against a tree for support.

"It would be easier if you let me walk."

"I will the moment you have two working ankles."

"My ankle doesn't hurt that bad. I can still walk. I just need to lean on you. This way is slowing us down."

"Your way will slow us down even more."

"I’m too heavy."

"Don’t insult me."

She lets out an exasperated sigh. "Why are you being so stubborn about this?"

"Oh,I’mbeing stubborn?"

The thunder rumbles again and renders us silent for a few seconds. It's enough time for me to spot a lodge in the distance, right as the downpour begins.

Amazing.

Emma huddles closer and attempts to put both her hands over our heads, but it doesn't do much to shield us as rain sluices down at us, soaking through our clothes, and making my vision watery.

"Hold on tight," I say.

She gives up her attempt at a shield and wraps her hand around my neck as I navigate quickly but safely toward the log cabin.

Luckily we make it there in one piece, before the rain increases in intensity.

The door is unlocked, and I push it open and shoulder it closed, as a gust of wind pushes at it. I hear Emma moving behind me and she bolts it. She also flicks a switch that washes the entire room with light from a dangling bulb overhead.

"Safe and sound," she says.

I analyze the cabin. It's small, with a fireplace, a couch, and not much else in terms of furnishing. But it's clean and looks well-kept.

"I'm guessing this is Rick's cabin," I say.

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