Page 101 of Enthrall Shadows
After he appeared satisfied I wasn’t carrying any other peanut-like contraband, Henry set our kits by the side of the car and handed me a two-way radio.
“In case we get separated.”
It was small enough to clip to my buckle.
He tucked a water filter into a khaki pocket. “We have flares,” he reassured me. “If anything happens to me, everything you need to survive is in my kit.”
“What might happen to you?”
“Be prepared for everything.”
I realized the magnitude of what we were setting out to do.
It was fascinating to be a part of the mystery that was driving Henry.
“Come here,” he said.
He proceeded to smear lotion all over my face, his firm fingers gliding over my skin and making it tingle. He also spread it over the back of my neck, even covering my hands.
I beamed at him, feeling nurtured.
Next, we sprayed ourselves with insect repellent. He shoved the can back into his kit.
“I’m glad I came here,” I said sincerely.
His frown deepened. “You’re not regretting this?”
“Not one bit.”
“This is a lot different to hiking in Cali.”
“I believe it.”
He rested his hands on my shoulders. “If you’re tired, thirsty or need a break—or anything else—you tell me.”
“I will.”
I had to fight the urge to lean in and rest my cheek against his chest and breathe in his masculine scent.
Henry lifted my backpack onto me, making sure the straps were comfortable on my shoulders before swinging his on with the same ease, slipping his arms through the hefty straps.
“Walk ahead of me.” He slid on his sunglasses.
I put my shades on, too. “In case a bear tries to eat me?”
“Exactly. That way I’ll know which way to run.”
“Funny.”
He locked the car with the key fob.
Holding up his high-tech wristwatch he said, “We’ll use SATCOM for as long as possible.”
“That’s some watch.”
“Everything is on here. But tech fails so we must be prepared either way.”
We followed the signs guiding us deeper into the park, eventually falling in step side by side.
