Chapter 9
DARA
I said something wrong. I didn't mean to, but it's clear I pushed him away somehow.
Sorting through my camera bag isn't the distraction I hoped it would be. I'm grateful that the waterproof features advertised when I bought it proved to be effective, though. Losing this camera would be expensive and my business is young enough that every penny counts right now.
The pictures scroll by on the screen and I see beautiful areas I captured quickly for inspiration. Many of these places might have burned shortly after I snapped these photos. In fact, I spot one image where a curl of smoke is evident in a gap between trees. Something I didn't notice at the time.
The quiet of the small cabin feels lonely and the beginnings of panic start to swell in my stomach. What if Aiden left me here?
I close my eyes, reminding myself that the man who braved a wildfire to find me wouldn't abandon me now, but the feeling doesn't listen to reason. It makes it hard to breathe, and I scramble to my feet, needing the outdoors.
Because I have to see if Aiden is still out there. Or if I'm truly on my own.
When I ease open the door, my heart thuds in my chest. Night is falling, and there's just enough light that I can see the immediate space around the front of the cabin is empty.
My eyes scan the area, drifting to the tree line we'd exited, and I release a sigh of relief when I spot Aiden's broad shoulders standing out there.
His hands are on his hips and he's looking at something I can't see.
There's still a haze in the air, and there's a red glow in the distance, proof the fire is still live out there, but it feels far away.
Aiden turns his head. Maybe it's because he heard me come out, maybe it's something else, but his profile is perfectly framed against the background of the trees.
My hand comes up automatically, my camera ready, and I snap a series of quick shots.
In my mind, I can already see how these images will look when finished.
Handsome mountain man framed against the backdrop of the woods he calls home.
I feel it when he catches sight of me. There's a flicker of muscle in his jaw as it goes tight and then he's striding toward the cabin. Toward me.
Want coils in my belly at the way he takes every step with singular purpose.
Focus.
On me.
Maybe it's the circumstances or everything I've been through since I left my room this morning. All I know is that I want to be around this stoic, strong man who makes the world feel safer just with his presence.
He reaches me and I hold out my camera. He glares down at it and then back up to my face.
"Can I show you something?"
Aiden raises a brow in silent question, and I feel compelled to add, "I'd like you to see what I see."