Page 128 of Swept for Forever
But as I stood on that porch, surrounded by people we trusted, I knew Dom and I were safe.
Even if my heart was about to walk out the door with the man who was headed straight back into danger.
34
DOM
Noah checked the straps on his daypack while I double-checked the rope and carabiners. He gave a low whistle. “Man, this feels like my Boy Scout days.”
“You mean the ones where you snuck off during orienteering to make out behind the shed?”
“Hey,” he said, pointing a mock-warning finger my way, “those were formative experiences. But seriously, I hike pretty often, just not abseiling down ridgelines à la Bear Grylls.”
“You’ll be fine.” I tossed him a harness. “I packed extras. Figured you’d tag along.”
“Thoughtful and rugged,” he said with a wink. “Where’s this version of you been hiding?”
“I never hid it. You just didn’t look past the L.A. gloss.”
We packed in silence for a bit, checking our gear and redistributing weight. The air was already warming, the sun cracking over the tops of the pines.
Noah set his rifle in the back seat, the grip facing out. That made it real. This wasn’t just a hike. This was one of those times when the “what if” didn’t feel hypothetical anymore.
“You didn’t use to bring a weapon back in Salt Lake,” I said. “It looks strange alongside your thermos.”
“Well, buddy, youshouldn’tget used to it.”
“When did you start shooting?” I asked as we both jumped into my truck.
“Twelve,” he said. “Ranch kid has gotta learn. You bring anything? Or are you still betting on the pen being mightier than the knife?”
I opened my jacket just enough to show the Glock resting snugly.
He smirked. “Thatlooks even weirder than me.”
We drove out toward Raven Bluff, the trailhead creeping up behind a line of wild sage and forest road. As I turned a corner, something slid across the floor.
Noah leaned down. “What was that?”
A coin had rolled to his side of the cab. He picked it up.
“A token,” I said.
“You’re not one for luck.” He inspected it. “And I never saw this when you were defending Maya.”
“Exactly why I kept it out of sight,” I reasoned. “Didn’t want to get grilled then either. It’s not about luck anyway.”
I patted my side pocket. It was loose, the threads gone.
He handed it back. I rubbed my thumb over the worn edge, then set it on the dash. I wasn’t carrying it today.
We jumped out and grabbed our gear, and Noah slung the rifle over his shoulder. It still looked strange on him.
I locked the truck and gave the handle a second check, then we headed straight for the trail.
Reception cut in and out as we got closer, so I made the call before it disappeared entirely.
“Hey,” I said as soon as Autumn answered. “I’m here. Just wanted to check in. Everything okay back there?”
