“So I see.” Bri glanced around the site. “How did you get it together so quickly?”
Tanner looked up. “I had started it when Boyo dashed into camp, to clamp his teeth onto my shirt and tug at me to follow him. Somehow I knew he was urging me on to find you.” He actually smiled at her.
“Hmm,” Bri murmured vaguely, her attention centered on the fluttery sensation his smile caused inside her more than on his explanation.
“How does soup sound for supper?”
“What?” Bri blinked herself out of bemusement. “Oh, soup, yes, that sounds good. What kind?”
“Vegetable. Hawk sent it along. It’s dried but good. I’ve had it on other hunts. It shouldn’t take much longer to get hot.”
“You said something about coffee?” she reminded him.
“Yeah, there’s some left in the thermos. Help yourself.”
Bri wet her lips in anticipation, thrilling to the way Tanner’s gaze followed her tongue. “Thanks.” The last word came out in a dry croak that had more to do with Tanner’s hot-eyed gaze than thirst.
He stood very still for a moment, staring into her eyes, then moved abruptly, striding for the gear to dig out the thermos when he realized she had no idea where it was. Pouring out a small stream of the coffee into the metal lid cup, he set it on the flat rock next to the soup pan. “Only take a minute.”
The dry sound of his voice made Bri feel a little less vulnerable. Apparently she wasn’t the only one affected by their proximity.
It was twilight by the time they ate their soup with chunks of dry day-old bread. For dessert, Bri took out her stash of chocolate and counted out four pieces each, to Tanner’s obvious amusement.
As night began to fall, tension was a living entity between them. Every nerve in Bri’s body quivered in a mixture of expectation and trepidation.
“There’s a little coffee left. Would you like it?” Tanner watched her over the rim of his cup.
“Yes, please,” she answered, grateful for an excuse to prolong the time to turn in. “What about Minnich?” she asked. “Do you think he might have crossed the stream with the idea that we would do the same?” Before he could reply, she rushed on, “I’d think he knows we’re looking for him. What do you think?”
Tanner handed her the hot coffee before answering. “I think you’re right.”
Taking a careful sip, Bri nodded, swallowed. “So, then, how do we proceed? Do we cross the stream?”
He gave a quick shake of his head. “No. That’s what he’ll think we will do. We’ll find out whether or not he crossed.” His voice was mild, his tone confident.
Bri wasn’t that certain. “How?”
“Boyo’s got his scent. If he’s crossed the stream, the dog will pick up his trail. And if he doesn’t cross, he’ll still follow it, because he knows damn well he’ll need water.”
“Of course.” Bri felt like a dullard. Hadn’t she seen Boyo finding the scent? Her only excuse was that she was so tense, so shaky inside about the deepening night, she wasn’t thinking clearly. She lingered over the quickly cooling drink, drawing out the inevitable for as long as she possibly could. But she could procrastinate only so long.
Tanner stood up. “It’s getting late,” he said, stretching his arms over his head, giving her a peek at the ripple of his shoulder and chest muscles displayed by his open jacket.
Bri shivered. It was time for them to crawl into the tent. Would he expect a replay of their first wild and lingering kiss of two nights ago?
Did she want that to happen again?
Yes.
No.
At the moment she was too scared to decide. She ached from wanting his kiss, wanting him. But he was becoming too important to her, his smile, his laughter, all of him too necessary.
Tanner spoke, jarring her out of her introspection. “I’ll clear away here and take care of the fire. You crawl into the tent and get undressed. I’ll be with you shortly.”
Bri froze for an instant. Undressed? Now was the time to tell him she wouldn’t…she couldn’t…
“Brianna, don’t freak on me.” His voice was soft, soothing. “I give you my word I won’t try anything you tell me you don’t want.”
“Yes, but-”
“Sweetheart, I have some control,” he said, shaking his head at her suspicious expression. “All I intend to do is sleep.”
“But you said get undressed.” Skepticism colored her tone and shaded her eyes.
“Down to your underwear. You do have long underwear, don’t you?
“Yes.” Bri hesitated another moment, staring into his eyes. Seeing nothing but caring there, she gave in with a quick nod and slipped inside the tent.
The interior was dimly lit by a small battery-operated lantern. The tent was roomy, plenty big enough for the two of them. But her breath caught when she looked at the sleeping bags already laid out for them. Tanner had zipped them together into one large sleeping area.
Oh, jeez.
“Brianna, I’m not going to be asking for anything you’re not willing to freely give. Not now, not ever,” he called to her as if somehow he knew she stood there, stock-still, staring at the bags. “Deal?”
“Y-yes,” she said, carefully laying her rifle and handgun along one side of the sleeping bag, as he had placed his weapons on the other side. Then she raised her hands to her blouse to begin unbuttoning it. It was sheer relief to get out of her trail-grimy clothes. Naked, she picked up the damp towel she had used to dry off at the stream and rubbed her body down once more. Now she felt much cleaner. Tossing the towel aside, she dug into her pack for her long underwear.
Bri was snuggled inside the surprisingly roomy and comfortable bed of sleeping bags when Tanner lifted the flap and stepped inside, ushering Boyo in after him. Murmuring, “Down, boy,” he pulled the zipper around the opening, enclosing the three of them inside.
Bri lifted her head. “Boyo is going to sleep in here with us?” She recognized the relieved tone in her voice.
Tanner’s smile told her he recognized it, as well. “Yeah, it’s getting cold out there and will likely get a lot colder by morning.” With that, he began to undress.
Brianna’s eyes flew wide, and he laughed out loud. “Don’t panic. I’m only stripping to my underwear, and it’s long underwear.”
“I have silk.” The words slipped out without thought. Bri was appalled at herself. She had sounded like a snit, the spoiled brat he had called her.
This time Tanner roared with laughter. “Okay, big deal. So have I.”
Embarrassed, Bri turned onto her side, away from him, groaning softly at the sheer warmth, comfort and sense of protection she was feeling. In the next instant, she stiffened when his body slipped in beside her in the makeshift bed.
“Relax, kid, I’m not going to attack you.”
She laughed; she couldn’t help it. He sounded oh so amused beneath his serious tones. “I’m glad to hear it. I wouldn’t want to have to hurt you.”
His laughter was drowned out by Boyo, who stood, whining.
“I think he needs to go out,” Bri said.
“No kidding,” he grumbled. Getting up, he shrugged into his jacket, pulled on his boots. “Okay, okay,” he said to the dog. “I’m coming.” Unzipping the flap, he let Boyo outside. Pausing at the opening, he said, “I may as well check on the mare while I’m out.”
“Chocolate.”
He turned to stare at her through the dim lantern light. “You want chocolate now?”
“No.” Bri had to laugh this time. “The mare. I’ve temporarily given her the name Chocolate, as I never asked Hawk what her real name is.”
“Oh.” He dipped his head and exited the tent. She heard his chuckle as he walked away.
Tanner was gone for some ten or so minutes, during which Bri shimmied around inside the sleeping bags. Once again she turned onto her side, this time facing the side he’d been sleeping on.
When Tanner did return, he zipped up the opening and shrugged out of his jacket and boots.
After turning around in a circle several times, Boyo settled down across the opening of the tent. If anyone tried
