CHAPTER SIX #2
“Is it sad that a few ounces of fish and a handful of berries seems like a feast?” Carter said.
“Won’t the smell potentially bring bears?” Ashton looked anxiously toward the treeline.
“Chances aren’t zero,” Tess admitted. “Look, I know we voted to set up our tents wherever, but I’d feel better if we were closer to each other. And further from the woods. In case something happens.”
Everyone agreed, and those who weren’t near Tess hastily moved their tents before night fell fully.
“It’s a full moon tonight,” Tess said. “Y’all don’t believe in werewolves, do ya?” She looked at Grayson.
“I get it. You guys think I’m crazy for believing in Bigfoot,” he said. “But there’s a ton of evidence that he exists. Never seen any such thing for werewolves though.”
“Well, there are real wolves, so keep that in mind if you have to do your business in the dark.”
“I’ll pee my pants before I go into the woods at night,” Grayson said.
Before they went their separate ways, Tess ensured everyone had sealed up every bit of trash. They’d thrown the fish guts and dinner remains into the lake, hoping that would kill any odor. It was all they could do.
Logan thought for sure that after all the bear talk, he’d sleep with one eye open. But apparently exhaustion won out over worry, and he fell asleep almost instantly. Only to be awakened an hour later.
“Guys! Guys!” Grayson was going from tent to tent, tapping on the vinyl and whispering loudly. “He’s here. He came!”
Logan poked his head out and saw the others doing the same. Tess emerged armed and ready—gun in one hand, flashlight and bear spray in the other.
“Did the bear come back?” she asked.
“No. It’s Bigfoot,” Grayson said reverently. “Look.” He pointed toward the lake. And sure enough, there, in the full moon light was a tall, lumbering biped.
Logan squinted. “He’s not very hairy.”
“Yeah,” Ashton said. “And I thought he walked more hunched over.”
“Hey,” Tess said. “Where’s Carter?”
They glanced around and shrugged.
“In the privy?” Grayson guessed.
Tess poked her head into Carter’s tent and sighed. “I think I know who your Bigfoot is. Carter!” she yelled at the creature. “Quit messing around.”
The shadowy figure sauntered on, unaffected by her command.
“Seriously,” she hollered. “Get back here.”
“What if he’s sleepwalking?” Logan said.
Tess huffed. “He never mentioned he did, but it’s possible.”
They moved as a group to confront the “beast.”
“Carter?” Tess whispered.
“Are you supposed to wake someone who’s sleepwalking?” Ashton said.
“I don’t know,” Tess hissed. “But we can’t just let him wander off. What if he falls off the cliff? Or gets lost in the woods?”
“Good point,” Grayson said. “Try the bear horn.”
“Or the spray,” Logan suggested maliciously.
Ignoring that suggestion, Tess moved closer and continued to repeat Carter’s name, a little louder each time.
Finally, he glanced her way, blinked hard, and looked around. “What the…?”
“Why didn’t you tell us you walk in your sleep?” Tess asked. “That’s kind of an important thing for me to know.”
Carter was fully awake now and genuinely confused.
“I haven’t done it since I was ten years old,” he said. “Well, not that I know of anyway.”
“Maybe ’cause you’re so tired,” Ashton said.
Carter shrugged. “Why you all up? Did I do something crazy?” His head snapped down. “Whew. At least I’m wearing pants.”
“Grayson thought you were Bigfoot and woke us all up,” Tess said, shooting a glare in Grayson’s direction.
“Sorry, guys,” Grayson said. “I couldn’t sleep and heard a noise. When I peeked out, thinking it was the bear again, I saw Carter. From afar and in the moonlight, it looked like him.”
“All right,” Tess said. “Everyone, back to bed. What are we going to do about you? Can’t have you wandering around at night.”
“I could sleep in your tent,” Carter said with a mischievous grin. “Then you’d know if I got up again.”
For some irrational reason, Logan wanted to punch the smile right off his face. His flirting was getting really annoying. Especially since Tess seemed to be buying into his charming, aw-shucks flirtations.
“Just put something outside his tent that will make noise if he tries to get out,” Logan said before Tess could answer. “Like the pots and pans, or one of those foil blankets.”
“Good idea for now,” she said. “I’ll rig up something better tomorrow.”
Back in his tent, Logan wriggled into his sleeping bag. He drifted off thinking about a small #1 at the end of a long, shapely leg.
Tess was unlike the women in Houston. At least the women in the circles he ran in. She was strong and smart and sexy as hell.
He shook that notion right out of his head.
In a couple of months, she might be his employee!
A seed of guilt was on the verge of sprouting.
Should he have told her upfront about his intentions to buy The Outpost?
Nah, she probably already knew the place was for sale.
Once she found out her job was safe—he’d be sure to have her kept on—it wouldn’t affect her at all.