Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
He turns his eyes to mine. “I have a feeling that by the time the week is up, it won’t feel like enough time at all.”
“You’re probably right.” The night air cools quickly, and I feel a chill run through me, making me shiver. “I haven’t thought about the diner even once all day. I think that’s a record for me.”
“There’s no need to,” he says. “I see you brought some paint supplies with you.”
“Oh, yeah. And I’m especially glad that I did, now that I know what our view is. I already have a couple of projects in mind. What will you do for a whole week with nothing on your agenda? Won’t you be bored?”
“No.” He leans back again and draws me close. “I won’t be bored. I plan to do some hiking, reading, cooking… And I’m going to make love to you pretty much all the time.”
“Wow, that’s quite a list of fun activities.”
He laughs, and then his hand drifts down my arm and over to cover my breast.
“I think you’re going to enjoy them.”
“Do I have to hike with you?”
“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head. “We can do some things alone. I think that’s part of the fun of camping.”
“Me, too.” I sigh happily. “Yeah, this is definitely a new tradition.”
A bird squawks overhead, startling me, and I accidentally push my brush over the canvas, ruining the work I just spent an hour doing.
“Well, shit,” I mutter, staring at the long green streak. “Hmm, maybe I could turn it into a fallen tree. Or a meadow, instead of the water view.”
I narrow my eyes, giving it thought, and decide to go with the meadow. I didn’t bring a lot of materials with me, so to waste this canvas isn’t really an option for me.
“Maybe Luna could use it in the inn,” I mutter as I switch gears and reach for different paint colors. “It’ll find a home.”
“Hello, neighbor!”
I frown and look around. There haven’t been any other campers near us in two days, and it’s been so nice to be alone.
Hell, we had sex with the doors open on the van last night. Now, that was hot.
I walk around the van and see a very pregnant woman making her way to me. She’s in jeans and an oversized blue top that covers her belly. She looks to be in her early twenties, barely out of college.
“Uh, hi,” I reply and force a smile on my face. “Can I help you?”
“Oh, no, I’m fine. I just wanted to come say hello. I’m just up the road, in my little pull trailer. It sure is pretty out here, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Is your husband setting up your site?”
“What’s that?” Her eyebrows climb, and then she shakes her head. “No. No husband. Just me and this little one.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but…you’re very pregnant.”
“I am,” she says with a laugh and rubs her belly. “Like, so, so knocked up.”
“Should you be camping by yourself when you’re that far along?”
“Eh, it’s okay. I mean, yeah, the doctor told me that it’s probably not a great idea, but I’ll be fine. I just really wanted to get out of the city, you know?”
“Where are you from?” Panic is starting to settle into my stomach. What if she goes into labor? What if she has the baby in the woods?
“California,” she replies. “Not too far away.”
“So, northern California, then.”
“Sure.” Her smile is bright, and I can’t help but wonder if something is just…off.
“Are you all right?” My words are careful. “Do you need help with anything?”
“Nope. I’m great. I just wanted to pop over and say hi so I don’t startle you if I start a fire and stuff. We’re pretty isolated up here.”
“Exactly,” I mutter to myself as she waddles away, back the way she came. “At least I know if we hear screams in the night, it’s likely to be her delivering a baby.”
I watch her disappear around a corner, and then I return to my easel. I’ve just put the finishing touches on the new painting when Tanner returns from a hike, looking all sweaty and sexy in his dark blue T-shirt and cargo shorts. His backpack hangs on his shoulders, and he’s even wearing a hat.
He looks so outdoorsy.
“Hi, adventurer.” I smile at him as he approaches and kisses me without touching me. “How was your hike?”
“Dirty,” he says, a little out of breath. “I wasn’t expecting so much mud. So it was a slick hike, and I need a damn shower.”
“Well, luckily for you, we have one. You do that, and I’ll make us some sandwiches for lunch.”
“Deal.”
He disappears into the van, and I can hear him moving around as I wash my hands and get to work making lunch.
It’s been like this since we arrived. We each spend a portion of the day doing whatever we want to. He hikes, and I paint. Or he reads, and I nap. We don’t have to be in each other’s back pocket to enjoy each other, and I really love that. I especially love that we’re safe here, and that we can spend some time apart without me needing someone else to babysit me.