Page 47 of The Kiss Countdown

The only thing stopping me from going back to my tree and letting them watch whatever it is that apparently only people in this family can see is the fact that Vincent hasn’t let go of my hand. And I haven’t pulled away.

“Follow my finger,” Mr. Rogers says, his deep voice encouraging.

At least someone is trying to be helpful. I do as he requests, imagining a laser shining from his extended pointer finger, and move my chin a few degrees to the right. When I finally see a small animal with dark striped fur strutting around, I gasp. “Is that...?” I trail off.

“A wild hog,” Lance finishes.

At the strained sound of his voice, I turn to my left where Lance stands behind Camille. Or more like hides behind her.

“A piglet,” Camille corrects, shaking her head.

I hold in a smile and turn back to the piglet. Two morecome out to join the first, all weaving through the grass with their adorable skinny legs and big bellies. As cute as they are, the momma is right on their heels to keep them safe, andcuteis not a word I’d use to describe her. She’s got a stocky body, coarse hair, and small tusks. I more than understand Lance’s trepidation, and my heart begins to thud hard against my chest.

“Should we be standing here?” I whisper, not wanting her to hear me. “Won’t she smell our food or get mad at us for being too close to her babies?”

It’s not like there’s a body of water here to ensure she doesn’t come charging at us.

“It’s okay,” Mrs. Rogers says confidently. “See, they’re already moving on. Momma’s probably just bringing her babies out for a little grass to munch on. All moms love to feed their kids.”

It’s not that I don’t believe the expertise of the woman who’s likely come across dozens of wild animals versus my zero interactions, but I wait until the wild hogs are a good distance away and Lance no longer has a death grip on his wife’s arms before I relax.

Vincent squeezes my hand. “You good?”

I nod. “Yeah. I’m good.”

“Okay.” He squeezes my hand one more time before letting go.

I stand there for a second, letting my arm hang awkwardly, unsure of what to do at the sudden loss of his warmth. Mentally kicking myself for feeling this way.

Vincent takes a few steps to where his family is now gathered and digging in their packs, but stops and turns to me. “Are you waiting for the hogs to come back so you can pet them? Look at you, growing braver already.”

I roll my eyes, though part of me is glad to have himsay something annoying to lighten the mood. “You know I’m not.”

“Then let’s go sit with everyone.” He reaches for my hand again, but this time I sidestep him. Vincent is right on my heels with an annoying chuckle.

“I still want to keep it light this first day,” Mrs. Rogers says. “So we’ll fuel up, make it to the field, then turn back.”

“You can sit here by me, Amerie,” Camille says. “I already checked that there’s no ants.”

I send her a thankful smile before sitting down, and Vincent follows suit, sitting next to me.

“Granola bar or apple?” he asks.

He’s too close to my face, but I can’t very well pull away. “The granola bar sounds good.”

He hands me a bar with a picture of a bear on the wrapper along with my canteen.

“Did Vince ever tell you how he used to jump out of trees while pretending to be a squirrel?” Camille says with an evil grin.

“A squirrel?” Vincent is clearly outraged. “I was a ninja. You know that, Cami.”

Camille shrugs and scoops a handful of trail mix into her mouth.

Vincent glares at her, then looks to me to plead his case. “I was a ninja.”

I pat his knee. “Sure you were.”

Their back-and-forth continues. I know it’s likely to continue for the rest of the trip, but I’m so amused that I don’t mind one bit. When Vincent pleads with me to agree with him again, ensuring I’m not left out of their conversation, I inwardly smile. It’s all so Hallmark and fun. I think I’ll pretend it’s all real for a little while longer.

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