Page 8 of Pining for the Ranger
Warmth spreads down my limbs at the gesture. I embrace the feelings he causes in me now, knowing I am free from attachment. Giddiness fills me at the prospect of this going somewhere. Whereas before, there was a lingering dread in the pit of my stomach. I was afraid to be disappointed to find out I was not single and didn’t have the same feelings for them as I do for Boone.
Having most of my memory back has the weight which was weighing me down lifting. You never think about what it would be like to not remember. I know there have been times I wished I didn’t, but now I know, not knowing is much worse.
Another memory pops into my head of children tormenting me when I was younger. “Well, it certainly isn’t the worst thing I’ve been called in my life.”
His brows pinch. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“It’s long in the past. Can we keep going? See if we find anything else that brings back my memories of the recent weeks?”
“If you’re feeling up to it, since we packed enough supplies to stay a night or two if needed.”
“Let’s do it.” I head back in the direction we came from to get to the trail.
I'm more than ready to fill in the missing gaps now I remember everything else.
Chapter Seven
Boone
“So, what is your thesis on?” I ask Laura as we pick our way through a brushy part of the trail. I hold back evergreen branches so they don’t slap her face.
We have continued following the trail up, sticking to the river as much as possible, attempting to figure out where she might have gone in. Every so often, we go down to the riverbank and see if we can find anything. So far, we have found nothing, nor have any more recent memories sparked for Laura.
It’s still a little strange to call her by her actual name. We have been passing the time with me asking her endless questions about her life. She has learned about me over the last several days, now it’s my turn to catch up. I’ve asked so many questions I would think she would be tired of them, but she still has a smile on her face with each one, knowing she can finally answer questions about herself.
There is no hiding the relief she feels at having most of her memory back. Since she didn’t recall the recent past, I thought we would start with childhood memories and work our way forward so as not to stress her out about what she still doesn’t remember. We are now getting to more recent years and work.
“It’s a comparative study of keystone predator recovery in wolves and grizzlies including tropic cascades, habitat connectivity and human wildlife conflict.”
A hum escapes me as my mind connects information. “Well, that’s interesting. It’s possible you just came out here for a backpacking trip, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence I was out here looking into a report of a wolf sighting in the area. We rarely have wolves here and I would usually take a report of one with a grain of salt, but I know the guys who reported it and they know what they’re talking about. I found no traces of any, though.”
Her brows furrow at the information. “That is quite a coincidence. Especially given that this is out of my normal study area. I usually stick to the northwest region of Montana. But it isn’t unheard of for animals to travel hundreds of miles out of their home ranges. It wouldn’t be a stretch for me to be following an animal that had made its way here to Idaho.”
“We’ll have to keep our eyes open for signs.” I glance up at the sun, now on its downward slide to the west. “We probably want to start looking for a camp spot for the night. How are you feeling? This isn’t the easiest of trails, and you are still recovering.”
Her head shakes. “I actually feel good. No headaches at all and just the normal soreness from a good hike. I try to get in at least ten miles a week on the trail. I don’t live far from a trailhead which has several spurs off of it. So if I haven’t been out in the field much during a particular week, I spend my weekends there.That’s one thing I love about the work I’m doing. It gives me an excuse to get out on the trail more.”
“My kinda woman,” the mutter slips from me before I can censor it.
The flair of her green eyes and pink of her cheeks sends a wave of heat through me. It’s like she was custom made just for me.
I never understood my brother’s instantaneous obsession with Tessa. He went through women like most go through underwear. One never holding his attention for more than a night or two. Then along came the older woman who had him pulling out all the stops to convince her to even go on a date with him. I thought maybe it was the thrill of the chase, but he claimed it wasn’t.
To say I understand now is an understatement.
It doesn’t take us much longer to find an established campsite next to the river, but off the trail enough for privacy. Laura gathers limbs and fuel for the fire while I set up the tent. It’s going to be cozy being I only had my small one-man tent, but I can sleep outside if needed.
Though I really hope it doesn’t come to that. The knowledge Laura is unattached has me dying to give into the desire to hold her in my arms like I have been craving but denying myself. Just thinking about having those soft curves pressed against me again has my blood heating with hunger.
Cursing, I pull my head from the direction my thoughts have taken. The last thing she needs is me mauling her the first chance I get.
Finished with the tent, I turn to find the woman who is consuming all my waking thoughts starting a fire.
And damn, if that doesn’t turn me on too. A woman who is capable of taking care of herself is damn sexy. I heave a sigh. It’s going to be a long fucking night.
At the noise, her eyes meet mine with a frown. “Something wrong?”
“Naw, I was just contemplating tonight’s choices for dinner.” Reaching into my pack, I pull out a couple of MREs. “Do you want beef stroganoff or teriyaki chicken?”
