Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Harrison finished his breakfast and stood to help with the cleanup. One by one, the Weavers came back into the camp, some moving toward the tents and some to grab a little more food.
As they worked, Clay suddenly straightened, a new tension zipped through the big man’s frame as he turned to face the road and their SUVs. “We’ve got company,” he announced in a low, heavy voice.
“How many?” Baer asked, immediately crossing to Clay’s side as he was preparing to pounce on the intruder.
Clay paused and cocked his head to the side as if listening to something. Some of the taut muscles his shoulders relaxed a bit as he replied, “One. Human.”
“I’m here,” Grey said, walking over to take Baer’s place while the Animal Weaver returned to working on packing up his stuff. The Soul Weaver was ready in case the poor human had already been brainwashed by John and somehow found their location.
“Hello!”
Broad shoulders, bulging biceps, and thick thighs wrapped in a park ranger’s uniform accompanied the friendly voice. A close beard hugged his jaw, his brown hair waving in the slight breeze.
“We don’t get a lot of campers this time of year and especially not a big group like yours. Everyone doing all right?” He walked up to Hale, who had moved to stand on Clay’s other side and held out his hand.
Hale shook it with his usual, easygoing smile, but the handshake seemed to go on and on. Harrison narrowed his eyes, taking a better look at the ranger. Yeah, he was a handsome man and the way he was regarding Hale, well, it was obvious he was interested.
“We’re good,” Hale answered. “Just taking down the camp now and getting ready to move on. No other campers in the area? Really?”
“There are a few diehards, but most wait until it’s warmer.” At long last, the man finally acknowledged that Clay and Grey were standing right fucking there. He shook their hands, but not nearly as long as he’d held on to Hale’s. And then the man had the audacity to zero right back in on Hale. “Are you locals?”
“No, we’re from Georgia. Taking a friends’ road trip across the country.”
“Looks like you’re getting ready to hit the road again.” He paused and scratched his jaw lightly. “That’s too bad. We got plenty of awful nice sights and hiking trails here if you wanted to stick around another night or two.”
Hale gave him a smile that Harrison found a little too sweet. He had to resist the urge to growl. He must have failed somewhat, because Wiley threw him a sharp look, his eyebrow raised.
“Time for us to move on. We’ve got places we need to reach by certain dates,” Clay interjected in a firm but friendly tone.
“Sure you can’t stay one more night?” the ranger asked, his sharp gaze still locked on Hale. “I saw on the weather that the next night or two are supposed to warm up. Clear, sunny skies. Great for camping, hiking, fishing. Plenty of great places for late-night stargazing.”
“Really?” Hale’s voice was instantly full of hope and interest.
Harrison was on his feet in an instant. Oh, hell no. This man had found Hale’s one true weakness far too fast. He had to be a pestilent spy or a rogue warlock or…at the very least a sleazy scumbag who had no business even talking to Hale.
“Definitely. If you stick around another night, I’d be happy to show you one of my favorite places in the park.”
It was pretty damn obvious what he’d like to do to Hale, and it didn’t have a damn thing to do with gazing at stars. If anyone was going to fucking look at the stars with Hale, it was going to be Harrison.
Shooting forward across the camp, Harrison stopped next to Hale and grabbed Hale’s arm. “He told you we’re going, didn’t he?”
The ranger held up his hands and took a step backward. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Just making conversation. I didn’t realize he was taken.”
“I’m not,” Hale insisted, giving Harrison a frown. “But he’s right. We are leaving. If we weren’t, I’d take you up on that invitation.”
Before he could say more, Harrison pulled him away toward the tents, leaving Clay and Grey to deal with the nosy park ranger. Maybe Grey could convince that man he was a chicken and leave him scratching in the woods for a little while. That would serve him right for thinking he could dare to hit on the Air Weaver.
“What’s your problem, Harrison?” Hale demanded as he yanked his arm free. He continued to walk beside him, glaring with every step. “That guy could be my soul mate.”
Harrison ground his teeth together, wanting to scream at the very idea that such a neanderthal could be Hale’s soul mate. Impossible. But he’d have to go to the one person who would convince Hale of the truth.