Page 28 of Return to Me Always

"Really? Just anyone can stop here?"

"Aye. It's a wee bit of a risk, though, because anyone can walk in at any moment."

It sounded great to actually sleep indoors, but I wondered how recognizable we were. Did they have our faces plastered all over the news right now? Was all of the UK looking for us?

"So," Tyler said, "what do you think? Shall we risk it?"

Just then, the wind seemed to push me forward, and hail started to fall, making the decision not so difficult.

"Yeah. Let's gamble. Besides, if someone comes in, you can just kick their ass, right?"

He laughed, and I realized I was really beginning to enjoy this side of him.

Before entering, Tyler knocked, and there was no sound from inside. I wasn't sure what to expect when he pushed open the door, but I was happy to see a clean, dry space.

On one end, there was a large concrete sleeping area, and the other had a fireplace with two smaller wooden platforms on either side. Near the fire, a long laundry line was strung up high where we could hang our wet clothes.

Tyler dropped the backpacks near one of the smaller platforms by the hearth and grabbed some wood from a pile to start a fire.

"The sooner we get into bed the better," he said. "That way, if anyone comes in, we can just pretend to be asleep. Then, we'll sneak out first thing in the morning."

"Sounds like a good plan."

I went to work hanging up our soggy stuff on "our side" of the room while Tyler stoked up the fire, readied the beds, and made dinner.

"So what delicacy do you have for us tonight?" I asked, pulling up two chairs in front of the fireplace.

He handed me a pouch with steam coming out of it. "I hope you like Pad Thai with chicken."

"This smells so good. But truly, I would eat absolutely anything right now."

I was surprised that something from a pouch could taste this delicious. But maybe it was more the magic of the warm fire and finally feeling dry, especially with the rhythmic sound of rain pounding on the roof.

Once again, we devoured our food, with Tyler in a hurry to get us into bed and rushing through the cleanup.

The platform was small, and so we were crunched together just like in the tent. There was another sleeping spot on the other side of the fire, but I could see why we shouldn't be apart if someone else happened to come in later.

After I had snuggled down into my sleeping bag, Tyler said, "Hey, Ryder?"

"Yeah?"

"Well done today."

Honestly, that meant the world to me, and I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. "Thank you," I managed to say.

At some point after I fell asleep, sounds outside the door woke me, and Tyler's arm came around my waist in a strong hold while we both shifted so our backs were to the room. I could barely hear him whisper, "Shh," right near my ear, sending shivers down my spine. His body was rigid behind me, like a wild animal ready to spring any second.

Someone knocked and came in, voices hushed as if they knew people were sleeping. Tyler and I didn't move. It sounded like a man and woman, and they made lots of muffled noises over on the other end of the room.

There were whispers of someone trying to keep quiet. After several minutes, footsteps came closer, and my heart started to pound. Somehow, Tyler tensed up even more, every muscle strained, his arm gripping me tighter.

I tried to keep my breath steady, and I could feel Tyler's chest rising and falling against my back. The beat of the rain on the roof kept time with the footsteps coming even nearer.

There was someone right behind us!

My heart raced, and I thought I might die. I heard the sound of the fire being stoked and soon after the swish of material as someone hung stuff from the line to dry.

A few moments passed while I fought to breathe. Then, finally, the person retreated back to the other end of the room. Tyler's grip loosened, and I felt his body relax. After a bit more rustling and hushed words, there was nothing but silence.

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