Page 5 of Only Ever You
I clambered back up my makeshift ramp and began running, only to hear mama moose following me. I didn’t realize there was another human here until— “Ooof!”— I collided with someone.
I all but bounced off of this person’s chest. It felt like the human equivalent of bumping into a rock wall. I stumbled and glanced up. “Parker?” I tried to catch my breath.
“Luna?”
I didn’t have time to explain. “Hurry! There’s a moose chasing me!”
Parker didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry when I grabbed his arm and started dragging him.
“She’s walking the other way now, Luna,” he said, his tone super calm.
“Well, she was just chasing me.” I dropped his arm, feeling sheepish.
“Yeah, I saw that.”
“What are you doing here?” I finally thought to ask.
He thumbed over his shoulder. “Walking my dog.”
A giant dog approached, loping along with his tongue hanging out and his tail wagging. “Oh,” was all I could manage.
The dog approached me, his tail swishing against my legs. “What’s his name?” I knelt down to greet the dog.
“Fuzzy,” Parker said with a sheepish grin when I glanced up.
“Hey, Fuzzy.” I scratched behind his ears, and he dipped his head down to press it into my chest, wiggling all over with pure joy.
A moment later, I straightened.
“I was walking up the trail and heard you cheering. Maybe I’m crazy, but I could’ve sworn you pushed one of those moose calves out of that hole over there.” Parker gestured toward the square hole in the ground.
“You’re not crazy.” A laugh sputtered out. “That’s exactly what I did. Both calves were in there, and that seemed like the only way to get them out.”
Parker’s low chuckle sent a sizzle of heat over my skin. I glanced around to see the moose were out of sight now. He walked over to peer inside the hole. “Could be a foundation for an old cabin.” His gaze arced around the clearing. “Maybe somebody planned to build here and never did.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
When Parker looked back at me, I imagined I must’ve been quite the sight. His eyes dipped down before whipping back up. It was only then I recalled I had a big tear in my pajama top. My fitted tank top was the only thing protecting my bare skin from burning up under the heat of his gaze. I could’ve sworn my nipples perked in greeting.
“I should let you keep going,” I said hurriedly.
My voice sounded breathless, which was annoying. Parker Reeves was cute with his shaggy dark blond hair and rich brown eyes. He had defined features with a bold nose and one of those jaws you could wax poetic about, all strong and chiseled. He tended to distract me, or rather, my hormones. If I had any effect on him, it was absolutely not obvious.
He nodded before asking, “Are you okay?”
My eyes dipped down, taking in the dirt smeared in streaks on my pajamas and jacket. “I’m fine.”
Parker’s lips quirked at the corners, his eyes sparking with a gleam that made my belly feel all tingly.
“Enjoy your hike!” I called as I began to make my exit, walking with my chin held high.
I blamed it entirely on Parker and his handsomeness that I promptly took three steps, tripped over a root, and fell flat on my face.
Chapter Four
PARKER
“Ooof!”
