Chapter 5 #2
Territory. There's that word again. He used it when we first met too, when he was explaining how much land he manages. But there's something about the way he says it that feels significant, weighted with meaning beyond simple property boundaries.
"What kind of outside threats?" I ask.
"Development, mostly. There are always corporations looking to buy up land for resorts or logging or mining operations. Keeping Willow Creek independent, keeping the wilderness intact takes constant vigilance."
It's a reasonable answer. And yet, I have the feeling there's more to it.
We finish lunch, and Hunter suggests we check out Silver Springs like he'd mentioned earlier. The walk is longer this time, maybe half a mile down a well-maintained trail, but my ankle handles it fine.
Silver Springs turns out to be even more beautiful than Clearwater Creek.
It turns out to be a natural spring bubbling up from the ground, creating a pool of water so clear I can see every pebble on the bottom.
The area around it is lush with vegetation, and I immediately spot several plant species showing the same unusual variations I've been documenting.
I'm in the middle of collecting samples when I hear voices on the trail.
Hunter's head snaps up immediately, and I see his whole body tense. "We should go."
"What? Why?" I'm only halfway done with my sample collection.
"There are hikers coming. A group of them." He's already packing up my gear. "We don't want to crowd the spring."
"Hunter, there's plenty of room. We're not bothering anyone." I reach for my sample kit, but he's already got it.
"Please, Ava. Trust me on this."
There's something urgent in his voice, almost desperate, and I find myself nodding even though I don't understand. We're back on the trail and around a bend before the other hikers appear—I catch a glimpse of them through the trees, a group of four or five people with backpacks and cameras.
"What was that about?" I ask once we're safely out of earshot.
"I prefer to keep a low profile when I'm out here," Hunter says, but he won't quite meet my eyes.
We make it back to the car without incident, and I'm surprised to realize it's already past two in the afternoon. Time flew while I was working.
"Thank you for today," I say as Hunter loads my samples into a cooler he's brought specifically for that purpose. "This was exactly what I needed."
"Good. I'm glad." He closes the back of the 4Runner and turns to me. "So, about this weekend..."
"The barbecue thing?"
"Yeah. It's this Saturday, late afternoon. Just a casual gathering at Caleb and Rachel's place. Good food, relaxed atmosphere, chance to meet some of the community." He pauses. "And I'd really like it if you came."
The way he says it makes it clear this is more than just a friendly invitation. This is him asking me to step further into his world, to meet the people who matter to him.
"Will there be more of your brother's cooking?" I ask, and I see relief flash across his face.
"Guaranteed."
"Then I'm in."
His smile is bright enough to rival the afternoon sun. "Great. I'll pick you up around four?"
"It's a date." The words are out before I can stop them, and I feel my cheeks heat. "I mean?—"
"A date," Hunter agrees, his smile turning into something softer, warmer. "Yeah. It is."
The drive back to my rental is quiet but comfortable. I'm organizing my field notes, making preliminary observations, when Hunter says, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What made you choose these mountains specifically? There are a lot of places you could have done this research."
I look up from my notebook. "The preliminary surveys I read suggested unusual biodiversity patterns in this region. High levels of endemic species, some genetic variations that didn't match surrounding areas. It made me curious."
"Curious enough to spend months out here alone?"
"I'm used to solo fieldwork. It's part of the job." I study his profile. "Though I have to admit, after what happened the other day, I'm a little more cautious about it than I used to be."
"The wolves," he says quietly.
"Yes. Do you think they're still out there? That dark one seemed pretty aggressive."
Hunter's hands tighten on the wheel. "I think you should continue to be careful. Stick to the areas I show you, let me know when you're going out, check in regularly."
"That's a lot of hovering for someone who barely knows me."
"Maybe I want to get to know you better." He glances over at me, and the intensity in his blue eyes makes my breath catch. "Would that be okay?"
"Yes," I hear myself say. "That would be okay."
We pull into my driveway, and Hunter insists on carrying my samples inside for me, along with my field bag and the cooler.
"You don't have to—" I start.
"I want to." He sets everything on my kitchen counter, and I'm suddenly very aware that we're alone in my small rental house, standing closer than strictly necessary.
"Hunter," I say softly, and he turns to look at me.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For today. For taking care of me. For..." I trail off, not quite sure how to finish that sentence.
"For what?" His voice is gentle, curious.
"For making me feel safe." It's more honest than I intended to be, but it's true. Despite all the strange things I've noticed, despite my growing certainty that he's hiding something, I feel safer with Hunter than I have in a long time.
He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my cheek. "You are safe with me, Ava. I promise you that."
We're standing so close now I can feel the heat radiating from his body, can see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes. He's going to kiss me, I realize. And I want him to.
But instead, he steps back, clearing his throat. "I should go. Let you get to work on those samples."
The moment breaks, and I'm left feeling oddly bereft. "Right. Yeah. Work."
He heads for the door, then pauses, looking back at me. "Ava? About Saturday. You don't have to worry. Everyone will love you."
“If you say so.” Maybe meeting his brother would help me figure out what was going on here.
His smile is soft, almost wondering. "I do."
After he leaves, I stand in my kitchen for a long moment, my mind spinning.
Today confirmed several things I've been noticing about Hunter Turner.
His abilities go far beyond what any normal person should possess, and I'm running out of rational explanations for why that might be.
He's hiding something significant, something that makes him nervous about being seen by other hikers, something that clearly involves the whole community of Willow Creek.
Those wolves I saw weren't just random wildlife.
They're connected to whatever secret Hunter is keeping, I'm sure of it now.
And despite all of that, despite the mystery and the secrets and the impossibility of it all, I'm falling for him.
I pull out my laptop and open a new document. I need to organize my thoughts, lay out the evidence systematically.
But instead of writing about plant mutations and water contamination, I find myself creating a different kind of document.
I start cataloging everything I've noticed about Hunter.
His exceptional hearing that detected a deer at fifty-plus yards.
His superior vision that identified plants in deep shadow.
His perfect navigation that requires no compass or GPS.
His supernatural awareness of his surroundings.
His unusual strength, the way he carries me like I weigh nothing.
His elevated body temperature, how he's always warm to the touch.
His protective behavior that borders on territorial.
The way he avoids other hikers and people.
How the community is described as secretive and eccentric.
His use of the word territory instead of property.
The possible connection to those wolves.
I stare at the screen, then add one more observation at the end. He makes me feel things I probably shouldn't feel for someone I just met.
I close the laptop with a sigh. Saturday I'm going to meet his family, his community, step deeper into whatever mystery surrounds Willow Creek.
The scientist in me says I should be cautious, should maintain professional boundaries, should focus on my research and not get distracted by impossible men with blue eyes and secrets.
But the woman in me—the one who's been alone in the wilderness for too long, the one who felt something shift when Hunter looked at her like she was precious—that woman is already counting down the hours until Saturday.
Until I see him again.