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Eva’s cheeks heated under Sarah’s scrutiny. “True, but better to make sure anyway.”
With one last nod, Sarah took off to check on the other members of the crew. Krieger and Eva moved to another flight of stairs and descended to the last level. Everwood was flooded with people checking on the animals and on each other, and sharing stories of where they were when the quake started.
“Eva, Krieger... you two okay?” Tucker Sanders strode to their side and placed a hand on Krieger’s shoulder.
“We are. Any issues down here?” Krieger asked as a goat went barreling past him, bleating.
“Just a bunch of gossiping busybodies. They will be talking about this for a month!”
Eva covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “If everyone is okay, then there was something that we had to see to, isn’t that right, Krieger?”
“O-oh, yeah, very important. Catch you later, Tucker?”
Tucker patted Krieger’s shoulder. “Ahh, get out of here. Go enjoy the full moon. You know I will be at the pub tonight, making the most of it. All the crazies come out on nights like tonight.”
“You go easy on the drinks, Tucker, there is still a lot to do with the Harvest Celebration and winter prep. I’m gonna need your help tomorrow.” Eva said, with her commanding officer voice.
Tucker waved them off as Krieger and Eva moved through the crowd.
“This way.” She pointed to the back of the settlement, toward the edge of the fence, where a small shed stood.
The crowd had thinned, those around busy with other duties. She looked around, then eased the door open and stepped inside, motioning for him to join her.
“Where are we going? Does this have anything to do with the full moon Tucker just mentioned?” Krieger asked, ducking into the dark building.
Without answering, Eva fumbled with a latch and pressed her weight against the back of the shed. The back wall swung open and filled the dark area with the dying light of the day.
Eva stepped onto the ground and moved so Krieger could follow. As he gained his footing on the soft, leaf-covered forest floor, Eva watched as he took note of their surroundings. “Are we outside the wall?”
“Yes. Not many know of this secret passage. So, mum’s the word. The front gate is guarded, and you need permission to leave. This is easier.” Eva shut the makeshift door and started into the forest.
“You gonna tell me what this is about?”
With a half grin, she looked over her shoulder at him, and when they locked eyes, she winked and said, “You’ll see.”
Eva led the way through the forest as the setting sunlight reflected through the trees, all the while resisting the urge to look over at Krieger. Instead, she arranged the straps of her bag so one laid over each of her shoulders.
When he laced his fingers through hers, she gasped at the sudden contact. Her eyes shot to his.
“I figure outside the walls is safe to do this? Derek isn’t in sight, or your father, for that matter... so, is this okay?”
A smile played at her lips as her stomach fluttered, and her heart hammered in her chest. With slow movements, she nodded and said, “Yes.”
Birds above them swooped from branch to branch, their evening songs filling the air. Their boots kicked up the forest floor as they made their way through the brush.
“It’s just over here.” Eva stepped over a downed log and pushed past a bush.
The terrain changed from leafy soil to hard rock. The stone-covered ground left the canopy of the trees, opening to a cliff edge.
Krieger slowed his steps and let his hand fall away from hers as he beheld the landscape. Eva studied him, and Mother Earth, it shouldn’t have been possible, but in this evening light, he was even better looking.
She reluctantly let her eyes drift from him to the horizon. “You’re looking at some of our hunting grounds. My parents used to bring me here on the nights there was a full moon. Isn’t it beautiful?”
He was silent for several long moments, the birds’ songs and the rustling of squirrels the only sound hanging between them. She scanned the tree-covered rolling hills, the distant setting sun wedged between the skyline, and the peaks of snowcapped mountains.
Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the crisp, earthy musk of pine and decaying leaves, then turned her attention back to Krieger.
His eyes were on her, his lips parted as their gazes met. He reached out and cupped the side of her face. “I’ve never seen anything quite as stunning.”
