Page 113 of Full Mountie

“I could get someone to run a search on his credit cards,” he finally mutters.

Yes, do that, I want to say. Track him down and we’ll go toss a net over his sorry ass and drag him back here so we can tell him we love him. Instead I sink lower in the tub and blow a raspberry at a pile of bubbles near my mouth.

“Probably a bad idea, career wise.”

I nod. Probably.

“I saw some board games,” he offers next. “On the bookshelves.”

So after my breakfast-in-the-bath, we play Scrabble, and it’s fine.

So is the cuddle we have in the window seat. Fine.

And the nap that follows, because we’re exhausted. That’s perfectly adequate. I love Lachlan, and he’s being careful and attentive, but this isn’t how we were supposed to be spending these few days together.

We’re missing our third, and it fucking hurts.

By mid-day, I’m pissed off at Hugh.

And since he’s not here, I’m kind of grumpy with Lachlan, too, whichsoisn’t fair.

So I grab Hugh’s note, which we haven’t really touched again, and I scrawl across it,We’ve gone for a hike because you’re dumb. Love you. Stay put if you come back.And I hand it to Lachlan, who laughs for the first time all day.

He nods. “Okay, let’s get outside.”

And hopefully, out of our heads a bit, too.

I thought we’d just go for a quick walk, but Lachlan packs a bag with water and snacks, and goes over a hiking trail map left by the cabin rental people.

He’s taking myhikestatement seriously. I packed running shoes, but I don’t have a pair of long pants, and I tell him that.

“We’ll keep it easy,” he promises.

Famous last words.

We head out the back of the cabin, cutting across long grass towards a rail bridge that’s marked as safe for crossing. The sun is bright today, and it’s nicely warm as we cross the bridge, the river rushing beneath us. We stop on the other side and Lachlan points out the path he’s picked for us. Ahead about a kilometre, to a rise that’s marked on the hiking map, then back again. Easy.

Except then he says, “And of course, we’ll be bear aware.”

I freeze. “Pardon?”

He waves ahead of us. “Solid chance of seeing a black bear out here. There's lots of food around this time of year, so they won’t do us any harm. We just don't want to surprise them, or get between mama and cubs.”

Uh huh. I glance back in the direction of the cabin.

“Hey,” he says softly, weaving his fingers through mine and tugging me close. “You wanted to get out of there. The sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day. Let’s do this.”

“With bears.”

“With me. And we’ll sing to keep the bears away.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m the most boring, responsible person you’ve ever met. Would I let anything happen to you?”

I shake my head. No, he wouldn’t. “Okay.”

He brushes his lips against mine, softly at first, but the spark is there—like always, although it takes us both by surprise right now. He deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue against mine.

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