I knew he recognized me. I supposed I’d be memorable for him. The last time I saw him, I’d kicked him in the balls. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, one of the college girls on our trip, Ashley, had caught his eye, and he started flirting. At least, that’s how it looked.
“Everything okay, Adele?” This time it was Asher asking.
I glanced over. “It’s fine.” My tone was level.
Asher arched a brow, tipping his head to the side. “You sure about that?”
I’d grown to like Asher. He had a dry sense of humor, but it only came out on occasion. He was more subtle than his brothers. He was steady and easy to work with.
I liked all of the Silver brothers. I’d gotten to know them all, but Asher was often the most perceptive. Too perceptive, unfortunately for me in this moment. I hadn’t even realized my gaze had flicked over to Chad again, who was now full-on working Ashley. I tried to ignore the way my adrenaline amped up.
“You know that guy?” Asher asked.
I wanted to lie. I really did. But I needed to play it cool. I just shrugged. “I’ve encountered him before. On the trail.”
“Okay. Should we be worried about him?”
I shrugged again. “I don’t think so. I’ll just say this—he’s in the hiking circuit in Alaska. He does some guiding on the side from what I understand. I don’t think he’s licensed. And this”—I gestured vaguely toward him and Ashley—“this is kind of his MO.”
We’d leave soon and hopefully not see him again. Asher got pulled away by one of the guys in our group to help fit a pack. In short order, we settled into the hike and we didn’t cross paths with Chad or whatever group he was part of again that day. I didn’t really know if he was leading or along for the trip. He wasone of those guys who couldn’t be counted on to do the work it took to get officially licensed but still acted like he was a pro.
To this day, I hated that I’d been susceptible to his charms. That I hadn’t picked up on the blinking, blaring warning signs. I shoved those memories back into a locked compartment in my mind.
I had a sense both Cole and Asher knew I wasn’t telling the full story, but this wasn’t the time or place to worry about that. We’d left Chad behind and that was all that mattered.
Katmai was as glorious and breathtaking as every park I’d visited in Alaska. My heart—my scarred, stubborn heart—didn’t want to contemplate how much I loved seeing it for the first time with Cole.
Even though we were all busy making sure everyone on the trip had what they needed—checking gear, tending to a few minor scrapes, rerouting a section due to trail washout—Cole was still so presentwith me every step of the way. He was protective, careful, kind. I didn’t want to think about how much I savored the sense of protectiveness from him.
Those two weekspassed in a glorious blur of everything I loved—the wilderness, the fresh air, the camaraderie of the group. And being with Cole.
I liked to be independent. I needed to feel strong. But I always felt a little more grounded when I wasn’t out there solo. With Cole, it felt like, day by day, the connection between us deepened. The threads between us tightening like twine being braided stronger and stronger. Maybe it was the wilderness—the clarity I always felt when I was out here in the elements—but I didn’t even try to keep my guard up. Not on this trip.
I didn’t have faith that it would last forever, because that just wasn’t how my brain worked. But I savored it. Every second.
There was only one hitch during those weeks. It wasn’t until the last few days when we encountered Chad’s group. Itwas brief, but left me unsettled. When you’re in the middle of the wilderness and see another group of hikers, it’s customary to be friendly, for obvious reasons. In this case, Chad once again starting flirting with Ashley. Even though I knew better, I approached.
“Hey, Ashley, you got a minute?” I asked.
She all but bounced toward me. “Of course!” When she rolled her eyes toward Chad, out of his line of sight, anger burned inside me.
I kept my tone casual. “Do you mind helping Asher with that blister tape? I think you’re the one carrying it.” Of course, I had no idea if she was, but she was happy to go along with my bullshit and skipped off.
Turning to Chad, I narrowed my eyes. “Leave her alone.”
“You’re not my keeper,” he replied, just as Cole appeared out of the corner of my eye.
“Just a reminder,” was all I said before turning away and walking straight to Cole.
“What’s up?” he asked a few minutes later.
“What do you mean?” I hedged.
He eyed me for a beat. “You just seem, I dunno, tense.”
I was relieved it seemed he hadn’t noticed anything else. “Just tired,” was all I offered. Entirely true, and he let it drop.
