Page 3 of Campfires & Canines
“I haven’t madeany concrete plans.”
"Well, maybe I'll see you again." He winks. I snap my jaw shut, shocked at receiving an actual wink from this man. He's charming and knows exactly how handsome he is.
"Maybe,” I echo. My heartbeat is in my throat as social anxiety gets the better of me. “I should get going.”
He reclines further, a roguish grin across his face. “Have a nice drive. If you get lost, just turn around and come back.”
As I pop up, my hip bumps the chair behind me with a scraping screech. Face burning, I mumble, “Sorry, thanks, see you later!”
Back in my car, I smack my forehead against the steering wheel. Ugh! I’ve got to sort out my life. Flirting with strange men was not on the agenda, not that I am capable of successful flirting anyway. I’ve clearly proven that. It doesn’t matter, I won’t see the guy again.
The sun descends as I climb in elevation. Massive trees lean over the road, so I'm driving through a patchwork of daylight and darkness. It's a sharp contrast from the relentless sunshine of Los Angeles.
My GPS chirps at me, interrupting my moody playlist. Cautiously, I turn onto a gravel road, tires crunching as the car rolls forward. Ahead, a farm gate hangs open. A red No Trespassing sign and a Private Property sign flank the posts.
I glance at the GPS again, reassuring myself I am supposed to be here. Yes, it’s the correct exit, but this road stretches another half mile into the forest. The trees tighten around me, threatening to swallow me up.
The foliage thins as I pull around another bend, revealing a small dirt parking lot. Carefully, I park beside an old pickup and a green Jeep.
An old office building faces me, one of those beige mobile trailers with metal stairs leading up to the door. An identical building sticks out behind it. Through the surrounding trees, I can see at least one more building that looks much larger. How many people work here?
As I step out of my car, the office door bangs open, making me jump. A broad man steps out, dirty blonde hair to his shoulders and a short but scruffy beard. His weathered skin creases as he grins at me.
"Hazelnut!" he bellows, his voice like thunder.
I leave the car door hanging open and jog to my favorite and only uncle. "Hi!"
"I'm glad you had a safe drive." His bear hugs are just as snug as I remember.
"I'm so happy to see you!" My muscles relax as affection and familiarity wash over me. "I've missed you. It's been way too long."
"I've missed you too." Another squeeze and he steps back.
Inhaling a deep breath of the pine-scented air, I let myself smile. I made it. “I really appreciate you letting me visit. I think I needed this,” My voice carries a tiny tremor.
“You deserve to take some time for yourself,” Heath says. I feel a twinge of guilt for imposing. He was hesitant to allow me to visit, but I’ve wanted to come for so long.
His lifestyle intrigued me growing up. He’s some sort of forest services director or something, buthe never talks about it.
"So, this is your work? And you live here?" I ask, hands on my hips as I survey the landscape.
"Yes, this is my office. My cabin is this way." He gestures vaguely past the trailers, deeper into the trees. "We should get you settled."
"That'd be great." My skin feels like it’s coated in a layer of sticky grime from spending too long in my car.
"First, there's someone I want you to meet."
"Oh?" I twist, following his gaze.
A young man strides around the side of the office building. He's not quite as tall as my uncle and noticeably slimmer.
"This is Slate, my right-hand man." Heath claps him on the back.
His eyes are the shade of a forest after a rainstorm, vibrant and mesmerizing. Shaggy mahogany hair curls around his ears and brushes his neck, softening his sharp features.
His touch is warm as he shakes my hand. Black tattoos circle his forearm: rocky peaks, dark pine trees, and the outline of foxes, or maybe they’re wolves. A hint of more ink peeks from the collar of his loose t-shirt.
I peel my eyes off his body and smile politely. "Hello, Slate," I repeat his unusual name, pleased my voice sounds mostly normal except for jumping in pitch.
