Page 16 of Wild About the Mountain Guide
“All of us. As a team. Using everything we learn about ourselves, each other, and the wilderness over the next four days.”
Brandon is already studying the map. “The elevation gain looks significant. Weather patterns at that altitude can be unpredictable. Success rates for amateur groups are—”
“Are higher when those groups work together, push their individual limits, and learn to trust each other,” I interrupt gently.
Marcus snorts from the corner. “Mount Hartley? That’s ambitious for a beginner group. Especially with an injured participant. Good luck.”
“Something to say, Marcus?” I ask with an arched brow.
“Just that maybe you should stick to easier goals. More realistic expectations.” His condescending smile is starting to piss me off. “A walk around town might be more suited for you guys. Leave the serious peaks to serious climbers like us.”
I’ve got so much I want to say to him, but I’ve learned from experience that the best way to deal with fools like Marcus is by ignoring them.
“You know what? I’m not letting someone like Marcus look down on us. We are more than capable of summiting Mount Hartley,” Peyton speaks up, giving Marcus the stink-eye.
She says it without hesitation, and for a second, I forget we’re in a shelter full of damp gear and other people. All I see is her. And all I want to do is pull her close and kiss her.
Which is ridiculous. I’ve only just met her. She’s here for a week before she goes back to her real life. To her publisher, her deadlines, her city. None of this is permanent. It’s the setting that’s making me feel like I’m falling for her.
Right?
Chapter Seven
Peyton
As soon as the rain turns into a drizzle, we pack up and leave Marcus and his crew behind at the shelter. I honestly can’t get out of there fast enough. The way those two look down on us like we’re helpless, dumb wannabes makes my skin crawl. Once we escaped their condescending attitudes, everyone’s in good spirits, even though most of our gear is still damp.
As for me, I can only think of one thing, and that’s how Knox keeps looking at me with affection in his eyes and how he slows down enough to end up right in front of me. Or beside me. Close enough that I wonder if it’s intentional, like when he kept looking in my direction back at the shelter with tenderness in his gaze.
I’m probably imagining it, but I desperately hope I’m not. He doesn’t say much while we walk, but every so often, we catch each other’s eyes and smile. That has to mean something, right?
At one point, I slow down to adjust the strap on my pack, and before I even have to ask, Knox is there beside me, tugging it tighter.
“Thanks,” I say, trying not to show how flustered he makes me.
“No problem, Peyton.”
My name sounds like fireworks on his lips. For a second, I forget that my socks are damp and my legs are sore. Knox is not only magnetic, but he also makes me feel like I can do this. Like I can finish this week without any major breakdowns or tears.
“You okay?” I ask after a few miles of trail. “You’ve been quiet.”
Knox glances over. “Just thinking.”
I wait for him to tell me more. He looks at me as if he’s not sure if he should open up, but then he does.
“My grandmother’s nurse called this morning. She’s doing okay, but… it’s getting harder for her. Dialysis is taking a lot out of her. I had to leave her in the nurse’s care this week so I could do my job, and now I feel guilty about it.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, meaning it. “But it’s not your fault. We all need to make money. And you seem to care a lot about her.”
“I’m trying to keep her at home as long as I can. It’s what she wants.”
“That’s nice, but yeah, it must be expensive.”
He nods. “Insurance helps. Barely. My usual guiding jobs don’t come close to covering everything. This retreat pays more, so I should be lucky that I drew the short straw twice in a row.”
I frown. “The short straw?”
For the first time, I see redness creep up his neck. “The other guides and I, we um… Look, none of us is excited about theseSpirit of the Wildwilderness retreats. The name alone is enough to cringe, right?”
