Page 21 of Restored By the Mountain Man
"I'm not letting you wander around a strange place alone in the dark," he says matter-of-factly.
We reach the back door and Ezra tries the handle. It doesn't budge.
"Locked," he says, trying again.
"What? But Francisco said we could use it anytime."
"He probably assumed we'd go before bed." Ezra runs a hand through his hair. "We can't knock on their door at midnight."
Panic starts to set in. "So what am I supposed to do?"
Ezra is quiet for a moment. "There's woods behind the RV. It's dark, private."
"Outside?" My voice rises in panic. "I can't pee outside!"
"You can and you will. Unless you want to wait until morning."
That's not an option. "Fine. But you have to stand guard and make sure nothing sees me."
"Nothing's going to see you, Zoe. It's the middle of nowhere."
He leads me away from the RV toward a cluster of trees and bushes. The night air is cold against my bare arms and I wrap them around myself.
"Here," he says, stopping near a cluster of bushes. "This should give you privacy."
"Turn around," I demand.
"I'm already turned around."
"Turn around more."
He sighs but he takes several steps away and faces firmly in the opposite direction. "Better?"
"Don't you dare move," I warn, then reluctantly move behind the bushes.
I'm in the middle of taking care of business when I feel it. Something small and sharp on my backside, like a tiny needle. Then another.
"Ow!" I yelp, jumping up and trying to swat at whatever it is. "Something bit me!"
"What?" Ezra's voice is sharp with concern.
"Something bit my ass!" I'm doing some kind of ridiculous dance, trying to reach the spot while simultaneously trying to pull my pants up. "It burns!"
"Zoe, calm down. What kind of bite?"
"I don't know! It's dark! But it really hurts and it's on my butt and I can't see it!"
I hear his footsteps approaching. "I'm coming over."
"No! Don't come over! I'm not decent!"
"You just said something bit you. I need to see what it was."
"You are not looking at my ass!"
"Zoe." His voice is patient but firm. "If it was a spider bite, or a bee sting, or God forbid a snake?—"
"A snake?!" I screech. "You think a snake bit my ass?!"
