CHAPTER EIGHT
Logan
Logan jolted awake at the scream. It was a woman. It was Tess. He struggled out of his sleeping bag and then his tent. The others were slowly emerging too.
“Is that Tess?” Grayson asked.
Logan didn’t bother answering. He hurried to her tent, and after confirming she wasn’t in it, crawled in to find her weapon. It was in the red backpack, just where she’d shown them.
No time for shoes or explanation to the other men, he ran headlong into the woods toward the sound of Tess’s voice.
He found her by her flashlight, which she swung above her head as if advertising a nightclub in Vegas. As he approached, none too quietly, she yelled at him to stop, which he did immediately. They were maybe ten feet away from each other.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Wolves,” she said. “They’ve circled up on me. There’s one to your left, about three feet from you.” She pointed her flashlight to indicate the spot.
“Tell me what to do,” he said.
“Where’s everyone else? If we outnumber ’em, it’s possible we can scare ’em off.”
Logan looked back the way he’d come. “Um. I’m not sure they’re coming.”
Tess growled. “Don’t suppose you brought a gun.”
“I did.” He held it up.
“Good. Okay.” She paused to think. “Shooting is a last resort, but trying to shoo them off hasn’t worked. They know they’ve got the upper hand.”
Off to Logan’s left, one of the wolves slunk menacingly out of the bush.
“Tess,” Logan hissed.
“I see it.” She braced herself and prepared to use her flashlight as a weapon.
Logan stretched out both arms, gun in one hand, flashlight in the other, and took aim. He was ready. And when the wolf leaped to attack, he fired. The beast dropped to the ground.
He trudged loudly, yelling and making nonsensical noises, while closing the gap to reach Tess. The remaining animals scurried away, leaving their fallen friend behind. It must have been pure reflex that caused Tess to throw her arms around him.
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly.
“No problem.” He tried not to notice her long, lean body pressed against his.
It would be unprofessional to notice such a thing.
But inhuman and unmanly not to. Tough as she was, she felt soft in his arms, and he held on tight.
A few seconds later, she backed away, slightly embarrassed, if he wasn’t mistaken.
“You just saved me from a good mauling,” she said.
“As opposed to a bad one?”
She huffed.
“Probably wouldn’t get my deposit back if I let my guide get eaten by wolves.”
“Definitely not.” She toed the dead wolf with her boot. “Um, thanks for not shooting me! That was kind of close.”
“You were a solid three feet away. And at this range, even if I missed the wolf, I knew I wasn’t in any danger of hitting you.”
“If you say so,” she said. “Let’s get back to camp. Where are your shoes?”
He shrugged. “It didn’t really sound like there was time.”
She didn’t say anything, and he braced for the possibility that she might scold him for not thinking about his feet. Instead, she just stared at him. “Thanks again,” she said solemnly.
“After you.”
Coming out of the trees, they encountered the other campers, who waited in a semicircle.
“Oh, whew,” Grayson said. “Thought Logan had gone postal. The way he ran into the woods with a gun.”
“He was coming to save me,” Tess said. “And where the hell were you three?”
They all had the good sense to look ashamed.
“Seemed like Logan had it handled,” Ashton murmured.
Tess gave them each a death stare, then turned to Logan and made a point of thanking him again for all to hear.
“My pleasure,” he said, passing her the gun, stock first. “Let’s not do it again though.”
He was playing it cool, but the whole incident had rattled him.
Mainly the part where he had to shoot so close to Tess.
Yes, he’d spent a lot of time shooting cans in the backyard as a kid, but it had been months since he’d been to the range as an adult.
And even though he’d sounded confident explaining to Tess that he wouldn’t have hit her, he sent up a prayer thanking God he really hadn’t.
Everyone returned to their tents, eager to get back to their warm sleeping bags. It took a minute for Logan’s heart to quit pounding. But once it did, he fell asleep quickly.
The next morning, after a meager breakfast, Tess walked them to the cliff where she would teach them how to rappel.
Since Logan had already proved himself competent at this task, Tess used him to help the others.
Grayson cautiously peered over the side.
“You scared, bro?” Carter said.
“Of course I’m scared,” Grayson said. “I’m not an idiot.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” Ashton said, puffing out his chest.
“Everyone’s scared of something ,” Logan said, enjoying the opportunity to contradict Ashton.
“I’m only scared of one thing,” Grayson said.
“Hope it’s not heights,” Tess said, handing him a harness.
“Unfortunately, it is heights,” Grayson admitted. “But I’m here to conquer fears, so let’s get to it.”
“Just don’t look down,” Tess suggested.
“I guess there is one thing that terrifies me,” Ashton said, running a hand through his hair. “Going bald. Oh, and getting fat. That’s frightening.”
Logan saw Tess roll her eyes. God, this guy was insufferable.
“How ’bout you, Tess?” Carter said. “Anything scare you?”
“Drowning. Dying in a fire. Shark attack,” she listed without hesitation. “Those inflatable tube men. Bidets. Dividing fractions. The usual stuff.”
Logan chuckled. She was tough but honest. He liked that.
“Dang,” Grayson said. “Now that you mention all that, maybe I am afraid of more than heights.”
Tess gave a brief lesson on rappelling, after which they each took a turn. Miraculously, they made it through the exercise unscathed and moved on to navigation class.
They learned how to read the sun and a compass, how to use tree bark to tell direction in the woods, and how to orient by listening to the sounds of running water. There was only one big river near them, and it conveniently ran south.
Logan listened carefully, assuming this information would come in handy on their solo excursion.
They spent the afternoon fishing and gathering wood. Dinner was sparse. The fish hadn’t bitten as freely as they had the day before. But an extra serving of jerky, poached from Joseph’s rations, staved off total starvation.
That night, settled around the campfire, crickets serenading them, Logan felt himself relax. They’d gone a whole day with no injuries, no animal attacks, and no talk of Bigfoot. Maybe he’d survive this thing after all.
“So, Tess,” Carter said. “How do you like doing these campouts?”
“Well,” she said. “One of these days, I’d love to take a vacation that doesn’t involve a sleeping bag, bug spray, and biodegradable soap. Not having to pack in my own accommodations would be a bonus too.”
“Where would you go?” Grayson asked.
“Somewhere sunny. Where there’s sand and cold fruity drinks.” She closed her eyes and seemed to drift away for a second, then snapped back to reality. “This seems like an unnecessarily torturous conversation. Let’s talk about something else.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I feel like Clint Eastwood in an old western,” Ashton said. “Lounging by the fire at night. Full moon. Wild animals all around. It’s so primitive.”
“Is that what the movie you’re researching is?” Grayson asked. “A western?”
“No. It’s about a guy whose plane crashes in the mountains, and he has to survive until he’s rescued.”
“That’s already been done,” Carter said.
“There’s more to it than that.” Ashton shrugged. “But that’s the gist.”
“What’s the first thing everyone plans to do when you get back?” Grayson asked. “Call home? Eat? Sleep?”
“Shower,” Tess and Logan said at the same time.
“I’m hittin’ that diner in the town square for a huge dinner and a whole pie,” Carter said. “Had a piece of peach the night before we left, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”
“Ah, yes.” Tess sighed wistfully. “Karla’s pie. It does have that effect on people.”
“I didn’t plan very well and have to go straight to the airport for a flight home,” Ashton said. “Unless I figure out a way to take a shower, I don’t envy whoever has to sit next to me.”
“Okay, how about this,” Grayson said, apparently determined to get them all talking. “What’s your biggest accomplishment and your biggest regret?”
“Now we’re gettin’ deep,” Tess said.
“Mine’s pretty obvious,” Carter said. “Signing a multi-million-dollar contract with the Celtics. It’s crazy to think I’m one torn ACL away from starting too. Not that I’m wishing for anyone to get hurt…”
Sure , Logan thought.
“Any regrets?” Grayson asked.
“Not holding out for more money.” He laughed.
“Tess?” Grayson prodded. “What’s your greatest accomplishment?”
“Oh, um. Winning the state basketball championship, I suppose.”
“You play hoops?” Carter said. “Why didn’t you say so? Another sign we’re perfect for each other.”
Logan couldn’t explain why Carter’s flirting bothered him so much, only that it did. Maybe he was just peevish due to lack of food and sleep.
“What about a regret?” Grayson pushed.
Tess paused. “Getting married.”
Carter spit-coughed a sip of coffee. “You’re married?” he exclaimed.
“I was married,” Tess clarified. “For a hot minute. Divorced.” She didn’t elaborate, and the bitter look on her face said she wasn’t going to.
Logan found himself inexplicably bummed out that Tess seemed so opposed to marriage. Not that he wanted to marry her—obviously. Just that there was something very compelling about her. A calm, cool, tough-as-nails demeanor wrapped in a pretty, soft, long-legged package. Intriguing indeed.
When Grayson came around to Logan, he thought for a minute. Staring into the flames, listening to the frogs, and feeling the slight breeze in his hair, he felt compelled to be honest.
“I guess my greatest regret is that I haven’t gotten married yet.” He was a little surprised at his own admission. Sure, the topic crossed his mind every now and again, but here, now, saying it out loud solidified it. He wanted what Cooper had—a woman he could trust and a couple of kids.
“You’re a good lookin’ guy,” Grayson said. “What’s keeping you from finding one? You too picky?”
“Trust issues.” Logan stared at the fire. “Money. Time. The usual.”
“How old are you?” Carter asked.
“Thirty-five,” Logan said.
“Ah, ya got plenty of time,” Grayson said. “What about your greatest accomplishment?”
“Guess I’m still waiting to peak,” Logan said. “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”
They all laughed.
“Looks like we might get rain tonight,” Tess warned as clouds moved in to snuff out the moonlight.
“The clouds sure make it dark,” Ashton said, glancing around. “Makes you realize how bright the moon’s been the last couple of nights.”
“When we put out the fire, it’s going to be pitch black up here,” Carter agreed.
“Huh,” Grayson said. “Turns out I grossly exaggerated when I claimed I was only afraid of one thing.”
“Keep a flashlight with you, and put the rain cover over your tent.” Tess looked at the sky.
“Actually, throw a tarp on too. Just in case. Be sure to tie it off securely. Buddy up and hold flashlights for each other. Carter, after you do your tent, cover the fire pit. Make sure the coals are cooled first and use the rocks to hold down the tarp.”
They all grumbled, but said they would. Logan got his tent covered, helped Grayson and Tess with theirs, and crawled in just as the drops began to fall.
Tess’s prediction of rain turned out to be a wild understatement. It poured—all night.