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We’ve lived together for nearly a year as part of a requirement to receive our inheritance from our father, and I feel farther from them than I did when we lived hundreds of miles apart.
They’ll never agree to spending weeks helping me find the treasure, but if I find it first, then arrange a short, fun adventure for us to find it together, they won’t be able to say no. For once, I won’t be the baby of the family being left behind by my sisters. I’ll be right in the middle of the adventure with them.
It’s a long-shot, but we only have to live together for a few more months and this is the only idea I have.
“So you want me to help you look for this treasure?”
I glance at the woods. The sun is still bright overhead, but it’s dark amongst the trees.
I shudder. “You know this forest better than probably anyone else. I’ll tell you what to look for and you can tell me if any area looks especially promising.”
He sways with Barley in his arms, his frown deepening as he considers my offer. “I don’t think so.”
I stare, confused. “What?”
“You should tell your sisters. If Clover’s on board, I’ll help.”
I open my mouth to ask him… I have no idea, so I shut it. I can’t let emotion get in my way. I have to be smart about this. “It’s hardly a surprise if they know about it from the beginning.” I widen my eyes and giggle.
He shudders. “Stop that. It’s freaking me out.”
This guy. “Stop what?” I bat my eyelashes, playing up my confusion. Guys love it when I bat my eyelashes. Or they did when I was eighteen and had blond hair and a low-cut dress on.
It dawns on me slowly. It might not have been the eyelash batting that was doing it for them.
“Stop pretending to be someone you aren’t.” He shudders again.
I roll my eyes. “This coming from the guy who dresses up like Bigfoot on the regular?”
“I have a good reason for that.” He lifts his chin, all defensive.
“Whatever. I don’t really care. If you won’t help me, that’s fine. I can handle this on my own.”
He snorts. “Don’t try that poor me act on me. Clover says one of your sisters is dating a forest ranger. I’m sure he’ll help you.”
Ugh, he’s so annoying. And hot. But more annoying. “Grant is a rule follower. There’s no way he won’t tell my sisters what I’ve asked him to do.” And they’ll destroy the map for my own good.
Bigfoot crosses his arms over his chest. “Not if he agrees this treasure hunt is a good idea, and your sisters will love the idea. What aren’t you telling me?”
I stare at him in the dimming light, trying to figure out what’s going to work on him, and come up empty. Flirting doesn’t work, being sweet doesn’t work, and being tough isn’t working.
And I can’t tell him that the problem is Grant knows how my sisters feel about my father and, if he doesn’t tell my sisters, he’ll try to change my mind about the treasure hunt for my own good.
In the forest, a crack echoes like a gunshot. I glance over my shoulder, but the trees are dense, the shadows heavy. I wrap my arms around myself. There’s nothing there, and I need to focus on Bigfoot.
Maybe he’s the kind of guy who needs to feel like something is his own idea before he gets on board. I sigh, heavily. “You’re right. This is a stupid idea. I’ll just… Well, I don’t know what I’ll do. Should I burn the map? Just forget about the treasure?”
Leaves crackle and a frog or forest monster croaks loudly. I take a step toward Bigfoot and he smirks.
“We both know you won’t do either of those things,” he says. “And you sure as hell aren’t going into that forest on your own. You’re practically hugging me to get away from it already.”
I roll my eyes until I realize I have to look up to see his face because I’ve gotten so close to him. His eyes are an ever-shifting shade of hazel, with the barest lines spreading out from the corners. He winks.
Damn it. I take two large steps back.
Out of desperation, I go for the last motivator in my toolbox, the one that never fails to make men do my bidding. “Fine. I’ll just find some other strapping, strong, capable woodsman to help me.”
He puffs out his chest. “You think I’m strapping?”
