Page 79 of Mountain Void

“I could stay here all day,” she said.

“You mean if we didn’t have about twenty seconds left before the kids finish their snacks and run off in all directions?”

“Maybe we should come back next weekend.”

“Maybe you should come back with Lorenz,” Carmen said mischievously. “I have some ideas of things you could do if you bring a blanket.”

“Out here in public? Not sure I’m ready for that.” Not sure she’d ever be ready for that. Though her mind did wander. Was that something Lorenz would—

Rennie, the teaching assistant, dropped off the four girls and selected the next group of four. Three loud boys and one very quiet one followed her out of the clearing. Charlie sighed. She wished there was something she could do to help Théo.

“So. Where are you guys going?”

“Hmm?”

“Tonight,” Carmen said. “Where’s Lorenz taking you?”

“I don’t know,” Charlie said.

“Don’t worry. He knows you well enough not to take you climbing. Though I’m sure he enjoyed the view that day at Les Bois,” Carmen laughed.

“I don’t know. I think he was too shocked to enjoy anything.” Charlie sighed. “It’s … it’s so strange to be this happy, Carmen.”

“No. You’re not going to second-guess this. I won’t let you do it.”

“Okay. How about you, then? Any more dates with the good-looking fireman?”

Carmen’s eyes looked up and left, as if remembering something hard. “Those arms. Forget porn. I could do with just a picture of his arms. From his biceps, all the way down to those strong forearms and wrists.“

“Okay, okay. Stop. Too much detail,” Charlie laughed.

“It was an amazing night, but I don’t think I want to see him again.”

“Why not?”

“I’m bound to discover something I don’t like about him, and that will ruin everything. I’d rather just stick to the memory.”

“You do know a second date is required, in order to progress to a relationship, right?”

“Who says I want a relationship?” Carmen laughed. “I came here for the adventure. I don’t need—“

Charlie stopped listening and pushed herself upright. Because Rennie was back, but there were only three boys with her.

Charlie jumped to her feet.

It’s okay. He’s probably right behind. It has to be okay.

He wasn’t right behind. Or at least, she couldn’t see him.

Her eyes moved fast, scanning faces, backpacks, hats, searching. Had he come back before the rest of the group, and she’d missed him?

No.

“Rennie? Where’s Théo?” Charlie asked, her voice shriller than she meant for it to sound. Rennie and the three boys looked up at her, startled.

Rennie’s face looked red with exertion. “His father came to pick him up. Small family emergency. Nothing serious, he said, but he had to take Théo home now instead of later. I called you, but you didn’t answer.”

Charlie didn’t even bother looking at her phone. There was no reason to doubt Rennie’s words, and reception out here was sketchy at best.