Page 20 of Thirst in the Mountains

I’m ready to stop the hike and spend the rest of the day making out with this beauty, but Cutter has other ideas. He jumps on me with that damn stick in his mouth.

I toss it even further this time, but when I turn back to continue, Lucy is already walking, her cheeks a bright shade of red.

“So, what made you want to be a cop?” she asks as I catch up.

I’d rather talk more about us, but I’ll wait for that if I have to. This is going to be a long date after all. The subject of us is bound to come up again. I’ll make sure of it.

“I like to protect people,” I tell her.

“Tell me why.”

I sigh as I think about it. “It’s because of my dad,” I finally say. “My father wasn’t a large guy.”

“Really?” she asks with a chuckle. “That’s surprising.”

“I got my size from my mother’s side. He only came up to here on me,” I say, touching under my shoulder. “But he was wise and powerful in his own way. His personality was big enough to make up for his small stature. As I was getting older and growing larger, I didn’t realize my own strength. I would unintentionally hurt people. Just by bumping into them or accidentally grabbing them too hard. He told me that wielding my size and strength was a responsibility I couldn’t ignore. He said my power was a gift given to me and that I had to use it to protect people, not to harm them. He told me that the morning he died.”

“Oh no,” Lucy says, her hand flying to her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I say, taking a heavy breath. “I was nineteen when it happened. He got hit by a car while he was walking down Main Street. It was a new driver. He had just gotten his license that week. I went over to his house to beat the shit out of him, but he was so devastated about it. He was sobbing when he saw me and he collapsed into my arms. All I could hear was my father’s words… I should be protecting people, not hurting them. So, I gave the kid a hug and decided to join the force. Use my strength for good.”

I’ve never told anyone that story. It’s unnerving how she can make me open up so easily, how I want to tell her everything.

She slides her hand into mine as we walk past a large mossy boulder. “Your father would be proud of you.”

I look at her and she nods.

“The way you handled that guy last night,” she says with a shiver. “I was terrified. I had no idea what he was going to do to me, and then you… You came out of nowhere and saved me. I’m sure your father is looking down on you, beaming with pride that you honored your gift.”

I keep walking with her by my side, afraid that I might get choked up if I don’t change the subject. “You’re going to love these sandwiches I got us. Have you ever been to the Warm Loaf Bakery?”

“Almost every morning,” she says, hooking her arm around mine. “They have the mostamazingcinnamon rolls. I can’t resist them.”

“I’m more of a croissant man myself.”

“Oh, I like croissants too,” she says, chuckling. “I’ll eat anything that comes out of that bakery. The girl Abby is going to be so happy about this.”

She suddenly turns away and shakes her head like she can’t quite believe what just slipped out of her mouth.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” she says. “Forget it. Hey, look at those wildflowers.”

I’m not taking the bait. “What do you mean that Abby is going to be happy about this?”

She sighs as Cutter comes running back. He circles around us and then takes off up the trail again.

“She keeps wanting to set me up with someone in town,” she says. I tense up, feeling a wave of possessive energy surging through me at the thought of my girl going out with anyone else. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t jump the gun. It’s only a first date. Although…”

She doesn’t want to say it.

“What?” I ask softly, like I’m trying to coax a kitten forward.

“You did call meyour girllast night.”

Shit. My adrenaline was racing like mad. I couldn’t hold it back. I had only realized I had called her that after and I wanted to die. I was hoping she hadn’t noticed.

“Too soon?” I ask, my cheeks getting hot.

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