Leo didn’t bother to hide his scowl. “Hi.”
William gestured to the laptop. “We were just working out supplies. I’ll carry the big tent for us and the boys. And you’ve got a two-person one for Faith, right?”
“Yes.” Faith sleeping in his tent would be fine. Nothing that should occupy his thoughts for the next seven days.
“Earth to Leo.” William snapped his fingers to get his attention. “I asked if the boys have sleeping bags.”
Right. The trip. “They do.”
Faith raised a hand like a kid in class. “I don’t.”
“No worries,” William said with a grin. “You’re welcome to one of mine.”
Leo also had extras, but competing with William over who got to provide Faith with a place to sleep seemed childish even though he really, really wanted to.
“I also don’t know what to wear,” she said. “Any suggestions?”
“Wool socks,” Leo and William replied in unison.
“Ooookay. Anything else? And telling me not to come isn’t an option.” She jabbed a finger in Leo’s direction.
“I’ve already lost that fight,” he said, resigned to helping her figure out what to put on that body he couldn’t stop thinking about. “You’re going to want moisture-wicking fabrics and plenty of layers. A T-shirt, a flannel, a raincoat just in case. Good boots.”
“Boots? My Adidas won’t cut it?”
Leo shuddered at the memories that question unlocked, and William took one look at his face and guffawed.
“Do you know how many college girls Grandpa Leo had to educate about proper footwear?”
Faith cocked her head and blinked at him, all big doe eyes and innocent curiosity. “No. How many college girls did you educate, Leo?”
“Christ.” He dragged a hand through his hair and changed the subject. “I’m actually here for a reason. We’ve got a complication.”
Faith smirked. “Don’t tell me. There’s some new reason that I can’t go.” She leaned back in her chair and pressed a finger to her lips as if she was deep in thought. “All hikers must now be certified EMTs.”
William jumped into the game. “An uptick in wolf attacks means everyone needs to carry a crossbow at all times?”
“I know!” Faith snapped her fingers. “No women allowed. Their periods attract bears.”
For the millionth time he reminded himself how great it was that those two were getting along. Faith was opinionated and bossy, and William didn’t like to take orders from anyone. Yet somehow they did nothing but laugh and high-five every time they were together.
Leo had to raise his voice to be heard over their chuckling.
“No, actually, it’s a scheduling thing.” He hated how peevish he sounded, but watching them constantly act like they were posing for a BUILD brochure about the benefits of a congenial work environment was wearing on him. “The ranger who was going to hike with us has a conflict on Saturday afternoon. He needs one of us to get there that morning so he can prep us on which trails have the best examples of erosion.”
“Okay. So we just leave earlier,” William said.
“Nope.” Faith had already spotted the problem. “We can’t pick the kids up until one.”
“God forbid Mateo misses a Saturday soccer game,” Leo grumbled.
“Reschedule?” William asked.
“Or split up,” Faith said. “One group meets the ranger, and the other collects the kids. Then we hike together.”
“I like that idea,” William said. “So Faith and I meet the ranger, and Leo brings the kids.”
He held up his hand for another fucking high five, which Faith happily provided. “Ranger buddies!”
