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She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, then checked the time. They’d come so far already. They’d been hiking for over four hours. “How far are we from the peak?”
“It’s another two hours. We have plenty of time to reach LadyBird Rock, it’s the getting back down that I’m worried about. If some weather comes, we’ll have to stay overnight. We won’t have a choice.”
“But you said there’s a cabin.”
“Yes, but it’s unheated and unmaintained. I can’t vouch for what condition it’s in.”
She absorbed that warning. “Do you mean it might be a mess, like the last person forgot to tidy up?”
“That, and it might not have a roof,” he said dryly. “I had to bang in some loose roofing metal last time.”
“But it did have a roof then.”
He nodded. “It stayed dry last time.”
Okay then. Her feet throbbed in her boots. They weren’t used to this much walking at one time. If they went back down now, she’d have to do this same hike all over again another time.
“Do you think there’s any danger? Like, life or death?”
His dark eyebrows pulled together. They were just as thick and black as the rest of his facial hair. “There’s always some risk out here, but not especially. The trail is safe, and even if the cabin is a wreck, I can make it work. I won’t let you die.”
She believed him, both because of the quiet confidence he exuded, and because her gut told her he’d probably put himself in danger if it would save her.
“Then let’s go forward. We’ll plan to stay overnight. I already warned Granny we might have to do that. She’s taking care of Olaf. I’m not expected back at work until after the weekend. I want to get this done. Unless you think we should turn back?”
“No. Just wanted to give you the option.”
They resumed their steady trudge up the mountain. Brenda’s thoughts wandered to her work-in-progress and her poor trapped heroine. Would a wild animal be the key to her escape? Or maybe a wild human would come to her rescue. There could be someone living in the woods who witnessed the cruel actions of the bad guys. Maybe he would wait until they were gone, then tiptoe into the night and dig until he reached the coffin. Then he’d pry off the lid so he didn’t hurt her. She’d sit bolt upright, gasping for breath, and she’d be so happy to be out of her airless imprisonment that she’d kiss him on the mouth. His beard would tickle her face and—
She snapped out of her brainstorming. Beard? Kiss? Where had all that come from? Did this fictional character she’d just invented a moment ago look like Galen?
She gasped for breath, causing Galen to shoot another look over his shoulder at her. “You okay?” he called.
“Fine.” Her voice sounded strangled, even to her. She tried again. “Great. Just got my second wind.”
“There’s a nice spot up ahead where we can stop for a bite of lunch.”
“Do we really have time for lunch?”
“This isn’t a race,” he said firmly. “We have time. Besides, you’ll want to take some photos.”
Boy, was he right about that. After they rounded the next bend in the trail, Galen led her down a short side trail that brought them to the edge of an outcropping. The world opened up before them. More forested ridges as far as the eye could see. Pine trees marched up hills and down into deep ravines. Clouds of gray mist clung to the highest points of rock. Around them, wind stirred the trees and whispered at the back of her neck. But out there, all was still.
There didn’t seem to be another human being anywhere in that panorama. It was just her and Galen, alone in the world. And it was so beautiful.
She was so entranced that she barely noticed Galen setting up lunch for them. By the time she looked around, there was a Thermos-top cup of hot chili waiting for her. He’d also opened a sleeve of Ritz crackers.
“How did you know I love Ritz crackers?”
“I…I…” he stammered, as if he’d been busted in some way. “I noticed a few boxes in your kitchen when I was there.”
“Well, thanks. I appreciate your attention to detail. In general, I don’t even like crackers, but I’m obsessed with these.” She took a handful and nibbled on one, savoring the buttery taste. “Especially with chili. How did you know that part?”
“I always bring chili. It’s filling and the beans are good protein. I don’t put meat in it so it’s less likely to attract a bear.”
“Less likely?”
He grinned. “Human food is always interesting to them. They’ll catch a whiff and decide if it’s worth their while. If it doesn’t have meat or fish, the chances are they’ll move along.”
