Page 143 of Bones
We walked in silence for a few minutes, and when I adjusted my pack for the fourth time on my aching back, Trey stopped me.
“Let me take it,” he said, holding out a hand. “We don’t have much farther to go.”
I hesitated, but gods, my back hurt. I slipped my pack off my shoulders and handed it to him, mumbling my thanks.
“Look at you accepting help,” he teased as we started walking again.
“Don’t make me take it back,” I muttered.
He laughed and reached out to snag my hand again.
“We shouldn’t use our real names at the trading post.”
“Ok,” he agreed. “What name do you want to use?”
Tell him.
The fear that rose choked me.
Nobody will be looking for that name.I tried to convince myself, but a louder, sharper voice prevailed.
You don’t know that.
“Sara,” I finally got out, hating myself for my cowardice. “That was my mom’s name.”
“Sara,” he repeated, smiling. “That’s good. I’ll be Flint.” His smile turned sad. “That was Mac’s dad’s name.”
“Flint and Sara,” I murmured.
“Flint and Sara.”
22
The huge man standing behind the counter in the trading post looked like a bear pretending to be a human with thick black hair that seemed to cover his entire body. His brows rose when we walked in, and his eyes narrowed as he scanned us.
“Howdy,” he said. “Awful late for you folks to be out.”
“We’re just passin’ through,” Trey said. “You have an open room we could rent for the night?”
He stared at us a moment longer and then nodded. “I do. Not many people passing through in the winter.”
“We like it that way.” Trey smiled, all calm confidence. “Nice and quiet.”
A smile tugged at the giant man's mouth. "Well, that's for damn sure. I'm Zeke. You looking for one bed or two?"
“One,” Trey said without hesitation.
Butterflies erupted in my stomach, remembering what he’d said last night.I want you in a place that’s warm so I can see every beautiful inch of you without worryin’ about you getting frostbite.
“I’m Flint, and this is my wife Sara.”
My wife.
I managed a smile when Zeke’s eyes landed on me, my heart still pounding.
Zeke surprised me by smiling back. “I got just the room for you.” He turned and grabbed a key off the wall behind him. “Number 3. Normally we charge extra if you want hot water, but I’ll throw it in for free tonight.”
The surprise on Trey’s face matched my own.
