Page 6 of Keep Me, Knox
"She's not so adorable when she manages to break into my bear-proofed trashcans."
We stand there a while, watching the cubs chase each other around the tree trunks. I can hear their claws scrabbling against the bark, their tiny grunts as they tumble. Rosie lifts her head once, then lowers it again with a sigh.
Knox and I are silent as we watch the bears. But it’s a comfortable silence. He’s so different from most of the men I’ve known. Content to justbe.
I write a few more notes, pretending I'm not keenly aware of how close he's standing or how much I suddenly want to lean into him.
I've never had a thing for flannel-wearing, hammer-swinging loners. But then again, I've never met one likehim.
And that's what worries me.
Because the mountain isn't just quiet. It'sdangerous. Not in the way most people think, because of wild animals and poisonous plants and steep cliffs.
For me, it’s dangerous because it makes you forget the outside world exists.
Makes you want tostay.
And that’s just a recipe for heartbreak.Especiallysince Knox hasn’t been anything more thanfriendly. He’s probably only tolerating me the way he tolerates Rosie.
To him, we’re justhere.So, he’s allowing it.
But if he’d allow me to stay forever, I just might…
Chapter 5
Knox
Thesun'sdroppedlowenough that the trees are casting long shadows over the yard, and Rosie's finally climbed out of the hammock, far more gracefully than I could have managed myself. She's lumbering toward the woods, cubs bouncing behind her like fat little shadows.
Sage lowers her binoculars and exhales like she's been holding her breath for an hour straight.
"That was amazing," she says quietly. "I got more notes than I could have dreamed of—and photographs and video too."
“I’m glad you got what you needed.”
She chews her bottom lip thoughtfully. “It’s a little concerning that she isn’t bothered by people, though. She knew we were here, and it didn’t bother her in the slightest.”
"She’s used to me. And she knew you weren't a threat," I say.
She glances at me. "How do you know?"
"Because if she did, you wouldn't be standing here."
Sage snorts under her breath. "Well, I suppose that’s true. But that’s what I worry about. If she gets too close to the wrong sort of person, it could end badly for all of them.”
“People are the worst.”
She sighs. “They can be.”
She gets it. That's rare.
The wind picks up a little, rustling the trees overhead. A cooler edge creeps in, carrying the scent of distant rain. I watch her rub her hands along her arms and scan the sky.
"I should probably head back to my truck before it gets dark."
I nod slowly, but my gut twists. "How far away are you parked?”
“A few miles down the hill,” she says, a tiny smile dancing on her lips. “Your driveway is in desperate need for more gravel.”
