Page 51 of Rock Bottom Romance

If only she could.

But he’d been clear, and she wouldn’t grovel and tell him that what she felt went beyond attraction.

He’d taken precious time out of his day to teach her to fish, saving her from humiliation. And he’d been kind and patient the whole time. Even after he’d laughed at her, he’d backed off and made her feel proud. Her chest tingled with longing. They’d had fun together during the grossest experience of her life.

Thanks to him, Crystal rocked the fishing scene. She caught two sunfish, cleaned, and cooked them. Even with her acting skills, she couldn’t control her facial expressions at the revulsionof the task, but she hadn’t lost her shit like the first time. No hopping, flailing, or yelling at creatures.

Sydney was satisfied they’d had two days of successful shoots. Crystal had fished, hiked, and started a campfire. She’d struggled to light the flame, but it wasn’t too embarrassing, so she’d approve the scene.

Crystal needed a breath of air to get her mind off Zach. She stepped out of the tent and glanced at the camp next door. Johnny faced his sister, holding Murphy’s leash as the dog sniffed the ground.

“Mom said I could walk him alone this morning as long as I didn’t go too far.” His voice rang with pride.

Angie rubbed her eyes and snarled, “Better watch out. A black bear’s been spotted. You’d be a tasty appetizer, small as you are.”

Crystal broke out in a sweat. A bear in the area? Zach had warned her about them.

The boy petted the dog. “I’m not scared. Me and Murphy can handle anything.”

“Murphy’s no match for a grizzly. The bear will take him out with one swipe of its claws.” Angie curled her hand and made a slashing motion.

Johnny wrapped an arm around the dog and hugged him. “No way.”

“Just saying.” Angie smirked. “If mom asks, I checked on you as ordered. Now, I’m going back to bed.”

Crystal’s blood pressure spiked. Why was that girl so mean to her little brother? She snagged one of the whistles she’d bought and marched outside.

“Hey,” she called to Johnny.

Murphy lunged at the sound of her voice and dragged the child to her. The dog ran in circles around her feet, tail wagging hard.

Johnny tried to rein in the dog. “Sorry ma’am. He gets excited around people.”

She glanced at Murphy, who had a sloppy tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. Big dogs really needed to be trained, but at least he was friendly.

Crystal smiled at Johnny. Ma’am? Guess she would look old to a child. She held out the whistle. “I read if you blow this while you’re in the woods, it will scare off bears.”

“Really? Thanks.” He took it and blew hard several times. Murphy cocked his head.

“You like the sound?” Johnny tooted it three more times and laughed.

His sister yelled from inside the tent, “Stop blowing that thing. I’m trying to sleep.”

Crystal bent down and whispered. “Maybe it will work on grumpy people too.”

“She hates camping. All her friends go to the beach for vacation.” He ruffled the fur on Murphy’s head. “I think it’s fun here.”

“Well, enjoy yourself and don’t let her ruin it.” Crystal straightened and went back into her tent. That girl should appreciate her caring family, regardless of where they went. But she’d have nothing to compare it to, being raised by loving parents. If she only knew what it was like to be left with some paid-by-the-hour caretaker, who didn’t give a crap about her. Crystal didn’t wish that on anyone and couldn’t blame Angie for what she didn’t know. But still, the girl should be nicer to her brother.

Crystal opened two boxes Sydney had dropped off. She grinned at the glamping decor inside. A string of triangle flags with bright-colored floral patterns, a turquoise feathered dreamcatcher, and some solar-powered lights. Her belly danced as she stepped outside and draped the lights on her tent. She tiedthe flag banner to the branches of a few trees. Perfect. She took a picture and created a new post.

Trevor was meeting her by the lake to film a kayaking scene, so she hung the dreamcatcher inside the tent and then changed clothes.

She slung a whistle over her head. Best to be safe.

As she trudged through the woods, she blew it every few steps.

She spied Trevor and Sydney standing near the lake ahead. Their heads turned in her direction when she blew the whistle a couple more times.

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