Survival Mission - Chapter 3
Valerie scrambled over the gravel beach, eager to reach the far side, away from the hiker who’d arrived well before her. He’d already had his tent up and fire going when she’d stepped off the trail. Yes, the hiker she’d compared to a PNW yeti was definitely a “he.” Dark pants hugged muscular glutes, and a short ponytail divided the back of broad shoulders. He was bent over a pot suspended over his campfire, stirring the contents with a spoon held in a very large, very masculine hand. From the delicious aroma, he’d made either a stew or chili. Her stomach growled. Loud enough that he turned his head and caught her staring at him. Before she could turn away, pretend she didn’t see him, their eyes locked. She was struck by the bright blue gaze that revealed nothing yet seemed to take in everything about her. Please don’t try to talk to me. She licked her lips, ready to cut off any attempt at conversation.
She needn’t have worried about making small talk. The man gave her a quick nod before turning back to his meal.
Sparing him not a single glance as she walked by, she ignored how the sight of his leathered hands triggered thoughts of how capable they might be. How his very attractive features were incongruent with the monster she’d compared him to.
Serial killers are charming, you know. Caroline’s warning intruded on her more hormonal wonderings. The man she’d just passed wasn’t Sasquatch, and it was statistically improbable that he was a serial killer. He was a hiker, period. A hiker in a very yummy body, but fantasizing about him wasn’t going to get her camp set any faster.
The light was better here without the mountain’s shadow but the sun still raced to the horizon. As soon as she was far enough away from the stranger yet still able to enjoy the full beauty of Loon Lake, she set camp. Let the other hikers pick sites in between the two of them.
She busied herself with getting her fire going to heat the chicken dumpling MRE she’d packed, and to boil water for tea. The sun set as she ate, and the deep serenity she craved began to unfurl in her heart as she sipped chamomile tea.
“Hey, sorry to bother you—”
Valerie startled and couldn’t help the yelp that she emitted. She dropped her tin cup as she leaped to her feet, her heart thudding against her sternum.
Had her solo camping trip turned deadly?