Page 18 of Wolfish Hunger
"Perfect. We’re also going to need…" Sammie begins firing off a list of ingredients and supplies, and I text as fast as I can. She's already in work mode, preparing to help strangers as if she were born here on the mountain.
Damn, I love this woman.
I love this woman.
10
SAMMIE
Don't look down. Don’t. Look. Down.
It's not that I'm afraid of heights, exactly. But Iamafraid of falling off these two thick planks and into the angry river below, possibly snapping an ankle in the process.
Breathe in. Breathe out. There are people who need help.
It's only twenty feet across, yet it feels like a mile.
Meanwhile Kane casually walked across while carrying two cases of water like it was nothing.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I try to focus on my sneakers, shuffling along the planks without really seeing the water below. I'm just glad we made a quick detour so I could rush home and change into jeans. If I tried to do this with a skirt swirling around my legs, I would definitely panic.
"That’s it, baby."
I look up to see Kane smiling at me, holding the thick rope we're using as a handrail. "Nice even steps. Even if they're small."
"You've totally got this, Sammie," Walker calls out from behind me. The knowledge that he’s standing on the planks to steady them gives me the courage to shuffle forward.
“You're doing so good, baby. I’m so proud of you." Kane’s radiant smile lights me up from the inside.
Half an hour ago, meeting up with everyone in the grocery store parking lot, my head was swimming as I was introduced to Griffin, Carson, and Walker, known collectively as the Dirty brothers since that's their last name. For real.
Then I met Kai and Kellen. Nobody said a word about the fact Kane’s arm was around my waist and that we’re clearly together. There were just huge grins, then everyone went straight into work mode.
That helped me when I had to…not exactly order them around, but ask for what I needed to cook such quantities of food. Everyone listened to me and treated me like one of the team.
Townspeople were staring, but I didn’t even care. I actually stepped outside myself and got to a place where it didn’t matter if people were analyzing me.
I hold onto that as I keep stepping.
It warmed my heart when I saw Kane and Kai working with the grocery staff to prepare a ton of gift cards. Sounds like they want to replace the groceries that might go bad in everyone's refrigerators?—
Focus, girl.
Left foot. Right foot. Breathe. Shuffle. Hold onto the rope for dear life.
I hold back a smile. The amount of good Kane and his brothers do in the world is inspirational. No wonder people stare. At least it's in a good way.
Now I know that, I’ll get through it. Assuming I don’t fall into this river and knock myself senseless.
"Almost there,” Kane calls out. “Deep breaths. Keep going."
His eyes glow as I move forward steadily and finally step into his arms. "Great job, baby."
Then he kisses me, his arm wrapped around my waist, still holding the rope and not caring who sees us. The warmth of his kiss sends sparkles through my heart.
From here, I can see the nearby bridge with a massive fallen tree blocking it. It’s surrounded by men with chainsaws, making a plan before they start cutting.
