Chapter Thirteen
Benson
I hardly slept last night. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could think about was Piper sleeping just inches away from me. The quiet of the tent only made it worse—her breathing, the subtle rustling when she shifted in her sleeping bag… it all kept me wide awake. It was maddening, knowing she was so close, and yet feeling like there was an ocean between us.
When the first light of dawn starts to creep through the fabric of the tent, I give up on trying to sleep. My mind is still racing, replaying every moment from yesterday, every word we exchanged. Especially that last look she gave me before I turned off the flashlight. There was something there, something that’s been nagging at me ever since. Was it doubt? Fear? Or maybe… affection?
I’m not sure what’s more frustrating—the fact that I can’t figure it out, or the fact that I care so much about wanting to figure it out.
I sit up carefully, trying not to wake her. I can’t help but glance over at her. She’s still asleep, curled up on her side, her hair a mess of waves against the pillow. She looks peaceful and content. It’s the kind of view I could get used to seeing every day.
I groan. Man, do I really have feelings for her? I tried so hard not to fall for her, but I guess I failed miserably, because seeing her asleep like this, I…
“Hello?” Claire’s voice cuts through the air, interrupting my thoughts.
“I’ll be right there,” I call back, trying not to be too loud so I don’t wake Piper.
She rustles in her sleeping bag, though. Her eyes flutter open, still hazy with sleep.
“Morning, Sunshine,” I tell her, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.
“Morning,” she mumbles, her voice soft and a little raspy. She stretches, her arms reaching above her head, and for a split second, she looks so beautiful, that I almost forget to breathe.
She catches me staring, and her cheeks flush a light pink. “What are you looking at?” she asks, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
“Just you,” I say, shrugging it off like it’s nothing.
I’m supposed to be keeping things light, but with each passing second we spend together, it’s getting harder to pretend that what I’m feeling isn’t real.
“I’m going to head outside and make breakfast,” I say, hastily getting up. I fumble with the tent zipper before stepping into the cool morning air.
Claire is sitting by the extinguished campfire, her arms crossed and looking a little worse for wear. I run a hand through my disheveled hair and smile at her. “Had a good night’s sleep?”
“Not really. My back hurts from sleeping on that inflatable pad. And there were animals howling nearby. I was afraid they’d come and attack me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Claire. I hope it doesn’t lower your excitement about hiking, though?”
She laughs as she rubs her lower back. “We’ll see. This trip is definitely something I won’t forget soon, but I’m not sure if I’m going to ever do it again like this. I see why Piper’s glamping resort is so popular. People love enjoying the outdoors with a thick mattress more than sleeping on the ground.”
“That’s exactly what your daughter keeps telling me.”
Claire’s expression turns serious, and my heart skips a beat. Does she know about our whole fake dating arrangement somehow?
“You know, Benson… before you start breakfast, would you mind having a chat?”
Uh-uh.
“Uhm… Sure.”
I sit down next to her and give her an expectant look.
“I just got a call from my lawyer. Thank goodness there’s still cell phone service in these woods,” she says with a wink.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
There must be. This conversation doesn’t sound like it’s going to revolve around breakfast, but something more serious.
She shrugs, but it’s not a casual one. It’s more like the kind of shrug someone gives when they’re trying to play it cool but are actually panicking inside. “Maybe? I mean, nothing concrete, but the developer who was also interested in the plot of land outbid me.
“What?” I blink. “I thought the owner promised it to you.”
“He did,” she says quickly. “But since I’m here and can’t finalize the offer on paper, it’s all still kind of… up in the air.”
I nod, processing this. I know how much that land means to Piper, how it’s supposed to be the key to expanding her glamping resort. And it means a lot to me too, but for some reason, Piper’s happiness is now worth more to me than my own. “So the owner’s backing out on his word?”
She shakes her head. “Not per se. Acquiring land and real estate is a cut-throat business, Benson. There are sharks around every corner.”
“If we lose it, then Piper will be crushed,” I say, more to myself than to Claire.
Claire sighs. “I know. My lawyer’s trying to keep the deal on track, but developers like this one… they’re ruthless. They could sweeten the offer or get the paperwork done before I even get back to civilization. I’m just worried.”
“We can’t let that happen,” I mutter, more to myself than to Claire. “That land is everything to her.”
Claire gives me a soft smile. “I know how much it means to Piper, and to you, too. But don’t worry, Benson. I’m still fighting for it. I just thought you should know what’s going on, so it doesn’t come as a shock if things go sideways. For the time being, I wouldn’t tell Piper, though. There’s no use making her worried when it might not be necessary. I’m still planning on giving it to you guys once you tie the knot.” She stretches her back and smiles at me. “When are you proposing?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
“I wouldn’t wait, Benson. My Piper’s a catch who’s not going to wait around forever to show her you want to commit for life.”
Life . I swallow.
Last night, I had an idea for buying the land anyway. I could take out a second loan, ask my brother Maddox to help me out, and use up all of my savings. If Piper would also use her savings and get a loan, I thought we’d have a slim chance of buying it ourselves. But now that there’s a bid on the table that even Claire is worried about, it’s clear we won’t ever be able to get the amount needed to snap it up.
There’s only one solution.
I need to get Claire down the trail so she can get behind a computer and finalize the sale.
And I need to propose. Soon.