Page 32 of Shared By the Mountain Men

“Well,” he said, “our options are limited because of your ankle. But I think I have something in mind.”

16

Melissa

Noah offered to drive me back to my cabin so I could change into a bathing suit. One of the last things I had packed was a bikini for the occasional river bath along my hike, though I hadn’t gotten a chance to use it yet. I had wondered if it was even necessary—storage and weight were concerns while backpacking—but now I was glad I had it.

Ash rested his woodworking blade on a shoulder and watched us drive away. A shiver went up my spine, and I wasn’t sure if it was fear or excitement. There was something about that man.

The camp was stirring with activity, but there was no sign of Jack. That made me sigh with relief… which then made me question my own emotions. What did I care if Jack saw Noah dropping me off the morning after a date? He wasn’t anything to me. Just an acquaintance that had helped me out.

That felt like a lie, but I was too excited about my plans with Noah to think about it too much.

I changed into my bikini, then pulled on a pair of hiking shorts and a T-shirt over top. Noah gave me an appraising look when I got back in the car.

“You look stunning.”

“You said that this morning. And last night before our date.”

“And it was true each time.”

When we got back to Noah’s place, Ash and his truck were both gone. Noah went into a nearby shed and came out with a long two-person kayak. He attached one end to a set of wheels and began rolling it toward the river.

“Need any help?” I asked. “Notice how I offered after you already clearly have it under control, that way I don’t have to help, but I still get the credit.”

“Smart,” he said with a chuckle. “But actually, you can grab two life jackets. They’re on the wall in the shed.”

I grabbed them and followed him across the field to the river.

“How’s your ankle?” he asked over his shoulder. “I meant to ask you last night, but…” A big grin split his face.

“It’s improving!” I replied happily. “It still hurts like hell when I move certain ways, but it’s better than it was. We don’t need to order those scans.”

“Glad my initial diagnosis was accurate.” He lowered the kayak next to a bench by the riverbank and frowned back at me. “I don’t want the wrapping to get wet, though. So I’m going to prescribe you an unorthodox treatment.”

I tensed. “Oh?”

Noah reached into his pack and pulled out a plastic grocery bag. “This will keep it dry.”

I laughed. “I was expecting something a little more official.”

He patted the bench, and I sat down. “This is the latest in anti-wetness technology,” he bragged while taking off my sandal. “We usually charge insurance companies seven hundred dollars for this kind of treatment.”

“It must be state-of-the-art plastic,” I said, pretending to be awed.

He wrapped it around my ankle and tied it. “Since you slept with me, this one’s on the house.”

“Good,” I replied. “I only slept with you for the free healthcare, so I’m glad it’s paying off.”

His touch was soft and caring, and then he planted a quick kiss on my knee. “All done. Now you’re ready to hit the water.”

“This will keep the occasional splash off me, but what if I fall in?”

“Don’t,” he said with a wink. “Then I’ll have to go by the clinic to get another wrap, and that would raise some more questions.”

“Wait. You can’t get in trouble for helping me, can you?”

“Probably not, but it’s better if we don’t find out.”

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