Saved (Snowbound with a Stranger #1)

Chapter One

Introductions

Erin

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“A RE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT this?”

Peering up at the forest-laden and steep terrain ahead, my eyes widened. The wildlife park had looked glossy enough on the website, but standing at the start of the trail, I wasn’t sure I was capable of overcoming it.

“It looks intense.”

“Oh, come on!” James thrust his fist into the air as though he’d already conquered the challenge. “Stop whining, Erin. This will be fun!”

“Fun?” James clearly had a different idea of a good time to me.

“Excuse him.” Chelle perched on the upturned log beside me. “James is just excited.”

“He’s like a dog with a new toy.” I glanced her way. “How do you put up with him?”

Chelle had been dating James for six months, and their adventurous hikes had been a feature of the budding relationship. I, on the other hand, was single and preferred the treadmill to a trek through the forest, but she was my best friend, and she’d begged me to join her. The fact James had brought his pal, Miles, wasn’t lost on me, either. Chelle had been trying to set me up with a long list of his friends for weeks. Miles was the latest offering.

“I don’t know.” Her lips tugged. “I find his enthusiasm alluring, and I like his upbeat and ‘can-do’ attitude. It’s infectious!”

“Yeah, like the plague...” I shielded my eyes from the sun as she rose and strode toward her lover, fighting the tinge of envy simmering within me.

It had been a long time since I’d been in love, and looking back, I was sure that rush of emotion had only been a surge of rampaging hormones. Staring at Chelle and James together, though, I could see how happy she was. No matter how much he grated on me, he must have been doing something right. She and I had been friends for years and I’d never known her so content.

“Ready for this?” A shadow broke the intensity of the early morning sun, and looking up, I realized Miles was responsible for the reprieve.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “It looks even bigger than it did online.”

I considered offering him a smile but decided against it. I was sure he was a decent guy, but if he was there under the pretense of romance, he’d be sadly disappointed. I wasn’t in the market for a man, and even if I was, the last thing I wanted was to be match-made. Being forced into proximity with him for the next few hours was going to be bad enough.

“I’m sure you’re fit enough to manage the incline.” His lips twitched as though he was tendering a compliment, but his words only jarred.

Was he trying to imply that I wasn’t fit enough?

Charming!

Any chance of ‘getting to know me better’—which had already been slim—evaporated in that instant.

“Yes, I’m certain I’ll be fine.” Rising to my feet, I put space between us. “Thanks for your concern.”

“I... didn’t mean it like that.” Miles’s brow furrowed as though I’d hurt his feelings. “I was just saying...”

“I said, come on!” James’s holler broke the frosty ambiance. “We have to meet the guide in five minutes.”

“I don’t even know why we have a guide,” Miles mumbled. “We’re perfectly capable of getting through the trees and to the top.”

“It’s for safety, Miles.” Chelle reached down to grab for her backpack. Like the other three, the bag looked fit to burst with equipment. “James thinks of everything.”

“Yeah, right.” Miles glanced my way as though he was expecting me to support his droll tone, but for once, I agreed with James.

“The guide is a good call.” Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walked away from Miles. “Someone who knows the territory will help us.”

“Bravo, Erin!” James clapped his hands together, his patronizing tone escalating my waning mood. I was only there to support Chelle, but increasingly, the idea of running back to my car looked like a great one. “He’s waiting for us at the bridge.”

“Fine.” I trudged past James, attempting to ignore his smug expression. “Where’s that?”

“Up ahead.” James gestured with his head. “You girls go on and I’ll hurry Miles along.”

“Did he just call us girls ?” I scowled as Chelle hurried to join me.

“He’s being affectionate, Erin.” She adjusted the straps of the bulging backpack on her shoulders as we walked. “Don’t be so down on him. I really like him, you know.”

“Yeah.” A twinge of guilt twisted in my tummy. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so negative... I just don’t think I’m ready for another relationship yet.”

“Yet?” Chelle snorted. “Girl, it’s been years since you and Ray broke up. Are you ever going to be ready?”

Bristling at her judgment, I glanced out at the upcoming challenge. I wasn’t enthralled at the prospect, but perhaps it would be better than having this conversation with Chelle again.

She’d been trying to woo me into a new relationship long before she’d met James. Chelle seemed to think the root of all happiness in life was coupling up.

“Maybe, maybe not.” I sighed. “I don’t need a man to have a good life, Chelle. But I’m glad you’ve found James.”

“Hmmm.” She sounded skeptical. “If you say so, but thank you. I think I’m in love with him.”

“That’s great.” I suppressed the desire to roll my eyes.

In love with him?

Chelle hadn’t even lived with James yet. What could she know about anyone until she’d been shoehorned into a small space with them? I was willing to bet that reality would take the shine off James’s luster.

“Have you told him how you feel?” Looking her way, I hoped she hadn’t heard anything disingenuous in my tone, but her smile suggested otherwise.

I wanted to be honest with my friend, wanted to share my concerns about James’s obnoxious attitude, but trekking through the wilds of nature hardly seemed like the best moment for my full and frank confession.

I was pleased he made her happy, but his constant need to condescend and bark orders worried me. If he behaved that way in public in the early stages of their romance, what might he say or do behind closed doors after a few years? Chelle was a sensitive soul, and she merited a man who respected her gentle nature. I only hoped James could be that man.

“Not yet.” Excitement brimmed in her eyes as they met mine. “But I’m planning to.” She signaled up ahead. “Maybe when we near the summit.”

“Ladies.”

The gruff tone of an unknown male captured my attention, and glancing from Chelle, I laid eyes on its owner. Dark-haired and with piercing gray eyes, his stubble-covered chin made it look as if he hadn’t seen the inside of a bathroom for years, but there was no denying his attractiveness. Clad in weatherproof layers, his body looked large and strong, and as he folded his arms across his chest, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to have those limbs wrapped around me.

“Are you our guide?” I moved toward him, scanning his features a second time.

His dark stare and hard jawline piqued my interest and made me wonder if Chelle had been right all along—it had been too long since I got laid.

“I am.” He cast a dismissive gaze over me. “And you are?”

“Chelle.” Pushing past me, Chelle thrust her hand in his direction. “And this is Erin.”

Thanks, Chelle . I glowered in my friend’s direction. I can introduce myself.

“It’s a pleasure.” His rising brow conveyed anything but pleasure as he grasped her palm.

“Will there be anyone else joining us?” His gaze looked past us. “I was under the impression there would be four of you today.”

“My boyfriend, James, is on his way.” Chelle sounded giddy as she communicated their relationship.

“There are four of us,” I confirmed, leaning against the bridge as I contemplated how best to manage Chelle.

We needed to have that frank conversation sooner rather than later. Much more of her gushing frivolity was not only going to make me ill, but it could very well lead her to danger. A landscape like the one we were about to encounter required her full attention, but drooling over James meant I doubted she’d invest more than fifty percent.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The dulcet-toned guide motioned toward me.

“Do what?” I met his gaze, conscious again of what an unusual color his eyes were. Hazel flecks swam in his gray irises, the hues swirling as he went on.

“Lean against the bridge.” He took a step closer. “The wood is old and molding. Only a little pressure could see it could give way, and I’d hate to see you at the bottom of the trench.”

Straightening at his warning, I spun to take in the drop he was referring to, the pit of my stomach falling away as I imagined just how far I could have fallen.

“Okay.” Darting away from the wooden barrier, I sounded as flustered as I felt. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” The gravelly resonance of his tone seemed to travel through me. “My role today is to keep you safe.”

“Right.” I sensed heat crawling from my jaw to my cheeks, though I wasn’t sure why I was embarrassed. Perhaps the close shave with danger had inspired it, or maybe it was down to the mysterious guide. Turning away from the intensity of his gaze, I met Chelle’s bemused expression. “Thank you.”

“You were right, Erin.” Chelle’s smirk suggested she thought she knew the reason for my growing blush. “Getting a guide was a good call.”

“There you are!” Apparently eager to introduce himself, James stalked past me, with Miles on his heels. Peering out at the green canopy of trees all around us, I’d never been happier to see him. “I’m James—the one who emailed you.”

“Of course you are,” the as yet unnamed guide replied. “Good to meet you.”

“Same here.” James grinned. “Shall we get going?”

“Wait,” Miles countered. “We still don’t even know our guide’s name.”

I held my breath as all four of us stared at the dark stranger. For some preposterous reason, finding out his name seemed unreasonably significant, as though my future happiness hinged on the answer.

“I’m Eli.” His smile was knowing. “And for the next few hours, none of you will be leaving my side.”