Page 58 of Trusting Skulls

This is Lexie with her guard down. It’s like finding a rare jewel.

Eventually, she makes her way over and sits down beside me. I offer her a sandwich and a smile. She doesn’t disappoint and returns it with one of her own.

We continue to share shy glances and grins as we eat in silence. She pulls her phone out, and I catch her trying to inconspicuously snap a picture of me. I’m not big on having my photo taken, but I pretend not to notice while internally cheering like I just won a million-dollar lottery.

She lies back, staring at the blue sky. “I don’t want to leave.”

I understand what she’s feeling. Here in the wilderness, it’s easy to be yourself. There are no distractions, no temptations.

“This is just the first of many beautiful things we’re going to see together,” I reassure her, settling by her side.

“You could have any woman you want. Why me, Ash?”

“Does the heart ever understand what it wants?”

Her head falls to the side. “The heart is foolish.”

“But yet it’s the very thing that keeps us alive. What’s yours telling you?”

She swallows hard as she ponders my question. “I don’t know. It’s confused.”

“That’s okay. It’s going to take a few beats for it to realize it’s safe with me.”

Her hand goes to her chest as if she felt my words there.

Lexie remains quiet the rest of the day as I ramble on about the trees and my family. When we arrive back at the cabin, her steps slow and her eyes roam over the driveway. Slowly, her hands disappear into her sweatshirt, and her shoulders climb up to her ears.

“Brody wanted to get on the road early,” I tell her, slowing to her pace.

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Daisy, but I’m sure we’ll see them soon.”

The look on her face tells me that’s not the problem. She’s nervous to be alone with me. This isn’t the first time we’ve been by ourselves, so I’m not sure where this hesitation is coming from. I hold the door open for her, and she reluctantly steps in.

As soon as I close the door, she heads for the stairs. I quickly wrap my arms around her waist, holding her against me. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“Nothing.”

I turn her around to face me. “Lexie, I can tell you’re nervous. Just talk to me about it. It will only make you more anxious if you try to hide it.”

She stares straight ahead at my chest. “I don’t know.”

Her voice cracks, and it breaks my heart.

“Are you scared to be alone with me?”

“No.” Her gaze snaps to mine to ensure I see the sincerity in her response.

I place my hand on the side of her face. “Lexie, just talk to me.”

“I don’t know how to act around you, okay?”

She tries to pull away, but I don’t allow it. After several attempts she relents and drops her forehead to my chest in surrender.

My hand rests on the back of her head, holding her there. “I just want you to be yourself.”

I hate the way she remains tense in my arms.

---