A scuttling sound came from behind her.
“You’re awake.” He appeared above the picnic table, looking like he’d been up for hours. Upon sight of her, he flinched.
She touched her cheek. “That bad?”
“Bad enough I wish I had more ibuprofen.”
“I have a packet in my bag.” She scrounged around for it, because,yes, her head was cranking. She found the pills and downed them, then glanced up at Wyatt. For a man with a poker face, he was wearing regret this morning like a neon suit.
“Don’t you dare apologize again. It probably looks worse than it feels.” She didn’t have a mirror to confirm that, but she couldn’t stand that he was beating himself up over this. She knew he’d never intentionally hurt her.
She stretched. “What time is it?”
“Almost seven. The sun’ll be rising soon, but we can wait till the painkillers kick in.”
She pushed out of the bag, feeling every muscle ache. “Not necessary. We may as well pack up and hit the road.”
“We’re already packed except your bag.”
She was on her feet now and looking around. Sure enough, his sleeping bag was rolled and attached to his backpack. The clothes she had drying were folded and lying on the hearth. The water collection system he’d rigged was gone. His backpack bulged with at least seven full water bottles.
“How long have you been up?”
“Awhile.” He turned the picnic table upright and set down two apples and a bag of peanuts. “Let’s fuel up and head out then.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Aahh!” Grace said as they came down the hill that turned onto Bayview Drive. “Civilization at last.”
It was late in the day. The sun had already set behind the mountains. The last of the pain pills had worn off long ago, and her head throbbed with each step. Otherwise, the walk had been easy.
“Now we just have to get to the trailhead where we left your car.”
“It’s not far.”
People were out and about. Boats on the lake. Joggers out for evening exercise. People driving to restaurants for supper. She considered borrowing a phone, but they were almost home, and she didn’t want to hear Molly squawking in her ear yet.
When they reached the car, Grace gratefully let the backpack fall off her shoulders, and Wyatt stowed it in the trunk with the rest of their things.
“Want me to drive?”
“Sure.” She tossed him the keys and slid into the passenger side. She didn’t realize how weary she was until her weight sagged into the cushy seat. She plugged in her phone, which was so dead it didn’t even come on, then laid her head against the headrest. Oh, her bed was going to feel good tonight.
Wyatt started up the car and pulled onto the street.
“That was some trek, huh?” she said.
“You can say that again.”
“I meant what I said before. I’m happy to help you figure out where to search next or whatever. There’s a really detailed map at the library that might help narrow it down. We probably should’ve started there.”
His grip tightened on the steering wheel, the bones in the backs of his hands fanning out in stark relief. “Haven’t scared you away yet?”
“Are you kidding? You’re pretty great in an emergency, you know. I just have to remember to keep my distance when you’re sleeping.”
Predictably, he winced.
She chuckled. “Seriously, I’m going to keep making jokes until you can laugh about this.”
