Page 47
It’s not until early afternoon that I hear movement in the leaves ahead of us. I slow my pace and signal the crew behind to do the same.
“Emma, zoom in over there,” Trevor hisses.
“Keep your voice down,” I snarl at him.
His eyes dart to me, storming, but I couldn’t care less. If he wants his shot, he will shut the fuck up when he needs to.
In front of us, two gorgeous brown grizzlies are getting their afternoon snacks from low tree branches.
I join Charlee, who’s getting ready for the shot. Her shoulders are tense, her brows furrowed as she absently brushes some strands of hair off her face and tucks them behind her ears. I clear my throat softly, and she turns to me.
“You don’t want to be too quiet,” I tell her. “Otherwise, they’ll get spooked when they see you, but don’t make too much noise or they’ll attack, okay?”
She nods once, and I step to the side, away from the camera. Axel and Nick position themselves and their sound equipment around Charlee. She’s standing as straight as an arrow, and her posture somehow confirms my morning suspicions: the great, fearless Charlee Fletcher suffers from stage fright. She looks like she might puke any minute now.
But then Emma nods, counting down from three on her fingers, and when she gives Charlee the go, all signs of fear disappear. Her features loosen, and her eyes gleam with pure excitement.
“We found our first two grizzlies of the day, young teenagers judging by their size,” she says, her voice flawlessly calm. “Grizzly territory once ranged across most of western North America, but we’re a long way off from that estimate today. According to the latest studies, grizzly bears living in coastal British Columbia are now a threatened species.”
Charlee continues to recite what we went over during our prep meetings, quoting scientific studies and statistics, changes in their habitat, and the effects the transformation of the forest has had on their population. She’s a star. Her ease and professionalism are a sight to behold, and I can’t get enough. Her shoulders have loosened up, and her stance appears more natural as she guides the camera through her thorough analysis and captivating storytelling.
She’s a natural. All signs of her previous nervousness evaporated the second she began speaking. It would be easy to defer my admiration to my history with her, but the truth is she knows how to command the space and make the viewer feel as if they’re standing right next to her, next to the grizzlies.
It’s here and now that I know, without a doubt, that the show will be a massive success.
People will eat this up, just as I am now.
Emma signals to Charlee that the camera will turn off in three, two, one . . .
Charlee exhales. “Oh my god. That was so stressful.”
Emma smiles. “You did great.”
“Incredible, even,” I add before I can stop the words from coming out of my mouth.
Charlee mutters a small “thanks” before walking away, and I curse myself for scaring her.
Once they’re done with their spot, the grizzly bears head off in search of their next meal. Maybe a river with some salmon flapping around.
We do the same and continue our trek through the woods, though we don’t come across any other bears for the rest of the day. I pause often, providing Charlee with explanations she can easily recite when the camera is rolling. I keep it simple and professional, and she keeps her attitude neutral, as if we’re doing nothing more than exchanging useful information and platitudes.
Though I don’t miss the glances she steals at me as I talk. She thinks I don’t notice. She should know better than to think I’d be indifferent to her attention, but I keep it to myself and pretend I don’t see her intrigued, curious.
After a few kilometers, Axel stops in front of a hiking sign. “Are we already at the lake?”
I nod. “Straight down the path.”
“Anybody game for a quick swim?” Trevor asks, mischief in his gaze.
“The water will be freezing,” I say.
“Yeah, and nobody brought swimsuits, Trev. Or towels,” Emma adds.
“Come on, wusses. We’re almost back to the lodge, the sun’s out, birds are singing, and we’re done for the day. Let’s live a little.”
“I’m down.”
I turn and glare at Charlee, eyes wide. “You are?”
