“Are you in a stare off…with a squirrel?” Jack ventures when he appears like a referee to the side.
The squirrel blinks, hopping off its rock.
“Ha!” I smile triumphantly before flinching when the lift of my cheek causes a sting.
Jack curses under his breath, handing me my water before turning to dig in his bag. I take greedy gulps while he fishes out a first aid kit and pulls on a pair of gloves. He sits on the rock next to me, gently pushing my knees so I’m facing him. I follow his prompts through a series of exercises to rule out a concussion, then he opens the first aid kit.
“This might sting.”
Probably, but I’m currently living out every woman’she takes care of herdream, so I will shut my mouth and bear it. Turns out it does sting, but watching those brows of his lower when I can’t hide another wince is like chocolate drizzle on ice-cream.
Gruff man hates that I’m in pain. Take me now.
I don’t even know what he’s doing to my cheek, but he’s being incredibly gentle.
“What happened in the tunnel?”
And, bubble popped.
“I don’t know…It got dark, and I freaked out. I don’t like caves. And I know that wasn’t an actual cave, but my brain didn’t get the memo.” I track Jack’s hands as they swab my cheek. “I heard footsteps. I thought it was you, but they were lighter. Then someone was yanking at my backpack. When they heard you calling, they shoved me.”
A low growl rumbles in his chest, sending a shiver down my back. That sound should be patented.
“Did you see them?” I ask after snapping out of my grunt-induced coma.
“No. They shoved past. I was worried about getting to you…”
Swoon activated. It’s a good thing I’m already seated.
Jack places cotton and bits of trash from the first aid kit into a small ziplock bag, then gives me a look layered with suspicion.
“Have you noticed anything weird since you arrived?”
Tell him…
A scratching noise has our eyes darting toward the squirrel that’s currently clawing its accusing little paw at Marigold.
“No!” I scowl at the squirrel with gritted teeth. “We talked about this.”
“Do you and the squirrel need a moment?” Jack asks dryly.
“Nope, it’s nothing. I mean, I haven’t noticed anything.”
Except for someone trying to open my hotel room door.
Frik. That definitely fits into the weird category.
But it’s fine. If anything else weird happens, I’ll think about confessing. But Jack needs time to get to know me. I heard the suspicion in his tone—he’s still not convinced of my innocence. The evidence doesn’t exactly look good.
“Who’s to say what classifies asweirdanyway? What exactly defines weird? The second day after hair-wash day is always weird, especially if you’ve slept with a hair tie. It’s all a mystery, I suppose.” I force a laugh, dusting my hands after standing. “We should probably get going, though, right? The sooner we get to the campsite, the sooner I can rest. My head is kinda killing me.”
His eyes narrow, confirming my decision. The man still doesn’t trust me. “I can walk you back up to the rim. You shouldn’t push yourself if you’re injured.”
“No!” I blurt out. “I’m finishing this hike. I have to.”
His jaw clenches before he nods and lifts Marigold like she weighs nothing.Darn muscles. If I didn’t have a fear of Madonna arms, I’d consider beefing up my biceps at the gym, because I’m realizing how weak my little noodle limbs are.
Jack holds the straps so I can slide my arms through. I buckle the waist before lifting my eyes to him.
