“I’m just thinking the gun is a bad idea,” Tarik said, as he set about pacing again. “I wouldn’t want to get caught by border patrol armed on public lands. It isn’t hunting season. I could be arrested. It’s bad enough we’re illegally crossing the border. Besides, I doubt I could shoot someone. No, it’s better if we leave it behind. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I read about a grizzly attack in the paper. Outside of…you know.”
Was he telling her the truth or telling her what he thought she wanted to hear? Being totally ignorant of animals while vacationing in Alaska was a bit of a complication. “Okayyyy.” When she’d stuffed as much as she could into the small suitcase, she zipped it closed and nodded toward the door. “I’m ready. I guess.” She didn’t sound ready.
Standing like a sentry next to the door, he caught her shoulders in his hands and looked into her eyes. “Trust me. I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.”
She believed him. After giving him a nod and a weak smile she said, “Let’s go.” She followed him out into the dark night.
* * * * *
“Okay. You were right. I’m dying,” Abby admitted after her suitcase became snagged once again on a fallen log. North-west Canada’s forests weren’t as scrubby as Michigan’s. The shrubs growing under the trees weren’t as dense, but there were lots and lots of other obstacles to stumble over as one made their way in the dark. And her having never been the outdoorsy-type, she was that much less equipped to handle the strain. They’d been walking for what was probably less than an hour and already she felt like it had been days. She had a new respect for pioneer women who’d traveled on foot to parts unknown. They were clearly made of stronger stuff than she was.
Probably wore better shoes though too.
Tarik, being the gentleman that he was, offered once again to carry her bag. But she was stubborn and wouldn’t accept his help. After all, she’d been the one to insist on taking the stupid thing in the first place. Why should she be a sissy and make him lug it around for her? She was no diva. She was a girl who took care of herself. Paid her share. Carried her own luggage.
Even if it was going to kill her.
“Wait. I just need to get a better grip.” She stopped walking and pulled blindly at the stuck bag while cursing fallen trees and the lack of a full moon or flashlight. When it didn’t break free, she added another round of colorful curses.
“Give me that,” Tarik barked, sounding more amused than angry. He snatched the handle out of her hand and yanked it away from her before she could stop him.
“Hey! I was getting it.”
“You’re too damn stubborn for your own good.”
“I’ve had a few people tell me that. Now give it back.” Almost completely blind, she lunged in the general direction of his voice. She found nothing but air. “Where’d you go?”
“Here.” His hand, big and warm and reassuring, closed around hers and he pulled her gently forward. “Take small steps. There are some tree roots here. I don’t want you to fall.”
“Thanks.” It was a whole lot easier going without the added burden of the suitcase, on top of the challenge of walking in the dark in unfamiliar territory. “I promise I’ll carry it once we get out of these woods. I can’t see a thing.”
“Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “You can’t see anything?”
“Nothing. That surprises you?”
“I can see fine,” he said, sounding bewildered. “I guess I never realized I was different from other people…outside of maybe being a little stronger than some of the other kids when I was younger.”
She wasn’t about to tell him he was easy at least twice as strong as any man she’d ever dated. And she hadn’t dated one hundred-pound weaklings either. Jack had spent more than his share of time in the gym pumping the proverbial iron. Of course, he had pumped more than that, she’d learned sometime later. But that was beside the point.
No, it was clear by the tone of Tarik’s voice that he yearned to feel normal, like he was no different from any other man on the planet. Like he’d always assumed he was.
And she was inspired, as she stumbled along behind him, gripping the waistband of his pants and using it to keep herself on her feet, to list all the ways he was exactly like any other male who’d trod upon the Earth.
“That whole seeing-in-the-dark thing is such a minor issue, when you look at the big picture,” she said trying to reassure him. “To me, you’re like any other guy.”