I know we’re strangers, and this could be much worse than it is. I’m not complaining in any way, but I want to make sure she knows she can trust me.
“Hey, Collie?”
“Yeah?” Her eyes fall shut, and I’m amazed at her ability to already fall fast asleep.
“You’re safe with me,” I whisper hoarsely. “I know we don’t know each other, but while we’re here together, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. You have my word. I guess I just wanted you to know that.”
“Good.” Her voice filters through the camper almost unintelligibly. “Keep that up, Ranger Voss. Sleep tight. Don’t let the moose come out to bite.”
10
COLLIE
“If I were kettle corn,where would I be?” I ask myself, scanning the aisles of Coop’s Corner, the only grocery store for miles.
Grocery store is a stretch.
Coop’s Corner is more like a gas station in size, with what I’d consider to be gas station options. One to two brands of most things, and that’s it.
Ya get what ya get.
Lucky for me and Easton, the shelves are stacked full of nonperishables. Our camper has a built-in microwave near the back of the hatch, the one semi-decent option we have for “cooking” without having to use the fire. Although, we risk running out of gas if the van is used for too long.
And I learned real quick how much of a trip it is to get anywhere in Wyoming. There’s also a tiny fridge with built-in batteries to keep it running, so we don’t have to turn on the van. Thankfully, air conditioning isn’t a necessity in this climate.
Not gonna lie, I’m not sure how many nights I’ll last without some good ole fashioned circulated heat. It’s freezingoutside, making me thankful for the trip into downtown to stock up on essentials. I could physically feel my body defrost seconds after entering the store.
“Got the candles and matches,” Easton announces, revealing himself from the other aisle. “What’d you get?” He scans my shopping cart, looking for things he likely won’t find.
“Oh, you know, the necessities.” I grin.
I see the moment he realizes I’m not one to be taken seriously. I’m never prepared. He’ll learn this about me. It doesn’t take much to make me happy, though. He should make note while we’re ahead that chocolate is the only way to my heart.
Not that he’s trying to get there, but for science purposes.
“There’s nearly ten types of chocolate in your cart and a case of water.”
“Man, you’re fucking smart. They teach you that in grade school? Never knew identifying chocolate was a grade-level requirement.”
That earned me an eye roll. “Not quite. This”—he points to the object of my cravings—“reminds me of my sister during her period. Minus the water. I always played savior to her need for sugar. Convenience stores hated to see me comin’.”
I bark out a laugh because that was really freaking funny. “A girl after my own heart.” I place a hand to my chest before glancing down at my cart again.
I’m not sure what the big deal is. We’re here for two weeks. Chocolate is a staple while road-tripping. Although I wouldn’t exactly call this a road trip, but still. I ate all my travel chocolate on the plane, likely from my blistering anxiety, with nothing but Red Vines left.
“Sir, be glad I’m stocking up on sugar. It’s for your own good.”
“Aren’t fitness instructors supposed to be overly regimented and eat strictly carnivore or some shit?”
I make a quick perusal of the things in Easton’s hands.Predictable.
Waterproof matches, three white candles, aluminum foil, and a block of butter.
“Listen, I can get down with some sweets, Ranger. Reese’s hate to seemecomin’. It’s called balance. I can keep a smoking hot body while still indulging in all my favorite things. If you grew up with a mother who embedded in your brain: “We eat to live, not live to eat,” you’d understand my need for said balance. I won’t, and never will apologize for eating chocolate and Gushers. In fact, anyone who tells me otherwise can sit back and watch me eat more.”
With that, I reach into my cart and tear open a pack of Reese’s before shoving one into my mouth. I moan from the chocolatey peanut butter goodness and smile at Easton, knowing good and well he’s questioning what in the actual fuck he got himself into with me.
Too late to back out now, handsome.
