Now every time he heard it he’d remember walking down the road with her while she sang to him. Great. His favorite tune, ruined. But it would be a crowd pleaser tomorrow. He might have to find reasons to avoid listening.
He couldn’t avoid listening to it now, though. She stumbled over the line about rain, which seemed sort of telling when he stopped to think about it. He recited the lyric and she sang it, this time without hesitation. Maybe her first screw-up had nothing to do with her imagining how the song applied to them. That was probably just his sappy interpretation of her thought process.
“So how was that?” she asked after she finished. “Okay?”
“Wonderful.” His voice sounded rusty and he had to clear his throat. “Terrific. You have a great voice.”
“It’s a nice song,” she said softly. “I’ve always liked it. It speaks of an elemental connection.”
“Yeah.” He felt his heart slide another notch toward the danger zone. “I know.”
“How far do you think we’ve walked so far?”
“A little over two miles or so. I’d say we’re close to the halfway point. How are you holding up?”
“Great. No worries. And the flashlight is working just fine.” She flicked it over the road and then moved the beam out over the meadow to their right. “What’s that out there? It looks like a big rock.”
A chill went down his spine. “It’s not a rock. Don’t shine the light over there again. And just keep walking.”
“Alex…” The flashlight beam wiggled, indicating she was shaking.
“Don’t panic. Let me have the flashlight.” He took it from her quivering fingers.
“It’s… it’s…”
“Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s a bear.”
Chapter Ten
Tyler had never hyperventilated before. She’d always wondered what that would be like when she heard other people talk about it. Now she knew. She literally couldn’t breathe.
“Come on.” Alex tugged on her hand. “Just keep walking along the road. Let the bear know we’re just moving through.”
She edged down the road but kept her eyes trained on the indistinct blob that Alex had identified as a bear. Little by little she sucked air into her tortured lungs. “Are you sure it’s not a rock?”
“I saw eyes and fur. It’s not a rock.”
“What if it charges?”
“It looks like a black bear to me, so I doubt it will if we don’t act threatening. It seems to be simply watching us. Walk on the other side of me if that will make you feel better.”
She accepted that invitation, even though it felt cowardly to put him between her and the bear. “B-but what if it ch-charges?” she repeated, needing an answer, wanting to be ready with a strategy.
“Then we’ll both raise our arms and yell at it. The idea is to look as big and menacing as possible to scare it off.”
Despair tightened her chest. She couldn’t imagine facing down a charging bear and she didn’t seem to have enough air in her lungs to create a decent yell. “Is there a Plan B?”
“In the first place, I don’t think it will charge. In the second place, yelling should scare it off.”
“But if it doesn’t?” Although she craned her neck to look back over her shoulder, she’d lost track of the blob that was supposed to be the bear. The shadows blended together, and she pictured it moving closer, stalking them.
“Some people say you should lie down, curl up, and pretend to be dead.”
“If I did that, I’d probably just go ahead and die of fright.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that, because the bear isn’t coming after us.”
“How do you know that for sure? How do you know it isn’t sneaking up on us?”
“I just… think it would have made a move by now.”
She didn’t want a tentative answer at the moment. “You don’t know a whole lot about bear behavior, do you?”
“Some. Not a lot.”
She could see the Internet headline: Couple mauled by rampaging bear. Everyone would click on that. She had the prospect of either dying from her wounds or being hospitalized, but either way, she’d miss the world cruise and her window of opportunity for the promotion.
But then she had another thought. If she didn’t die of her wounds, she’d be hospitalized along with Alex, and if he didn’t die of his wounds, they could recover together. She wouldn’t have to make any decisions about her career because Fate would have made them for her. And she could find out whether she and Alex were meant to be.
“I think you can stop worrying, now,” Alex said. “We’ve passed a bend in the road, and no bear is lumbering along behind us. I’m sure the one we saw is either still sitting in the meadow or has gone off to forage for grubs under a fallen log.”
“That sounds so Disneyesque. I’ve always loved cartoons about bears, but I have to tell you, when face-to-snout with the real thing, it’s different.”
“I agree.” He let out a breath.
“There, see? You were worried, too.”
“I wasn’t worried for myself, but I didn’t want anything to happen to you.”
“That’s very sweet.” She wouldn’t have wanted to be mauled by a bear, but now that the possibility was receding in the distance, she also had to give up the fantasy that she and Alex would nurture each other back to health and they’d discover in the process if they were suited to each other.
Instead it looked as if she had to carry on with her world cruise and earn that promotion. That was her first choice, of course, but the recovering-in-the-hospital scenario didn’t sound all that bad, either. Staying in Wyoming didn’t feel quite like the prison sentence she would have expected it to feel like, which meant she was still conflicted.
“Want the flashlight back?” he asked.
“You can keep it.” Now that she understood what she might accidentally see while sweeping the flashlight beam over the landscape, she wasn’t so eager to do that. “Are you sure it was a black bear and not a grizz?”
“A grizzly bear? No. A grizzly would have been more aggressive.”
She shuddered to think what that would have been like. “Well, anyway, when you tell this story to your grandchildren, you should suggest that it might have been a grizz. That will keep their attention better than if you just call it a bear and they’re thinking teddy bear. But everyone knows a grizz is a fearsome creature to watch out for. You’ll look like a hero for calmly strolling past it.”
“In order to have grandchildren, I have to have children. I don’t even have a wife, let alone kids.”
“But you will, Alex. I saw how you looked when Josie announced she was pregnant. You want kids.” And that was part of her dilemma. She hadn’t thought she cared much about starting a family, but when she looked at Alex… her priorities shifted. He’d make a great dad. She wasn’t ready for those thoughts, though, if she intended to be a cruise director by next year.
“When Crystal and I were married I wasn’t thinking in terms of kids, maybe because she was so into partying. But now, I admit I think about it. Josie’s already said that I’m considered part of the family, which means I could build on the ranch if I wanted.”
“Would you do that?” Tyler was intrigued with the idea that the Last Chance could become a community of extended family members. A few times during her childhood her parents had become part of communes, but her restless father had never been able to stay for long.
“I don’t know. I’d have to—” He paused and tugged on her hand. “Do you hear a truck coming?”
“Yes, I do! I’ve been so busy talking that I missed the sound. Who would be driving down the road at this hour?”
“Somebody looking for us.”
“Oh.” She thought about being discovered in a bedraggled condition yet again. At least this time her green hoodie and his denim jacket disguised most of the damage to their clothes. “I feel like a teenager caught out after curfew.”
&nb
sp; “Yeah, well, I’m the dummy who didn’t check the gas gauge, so I’ll handle the explanation.”
“What are you going to tell them?”
“Depends on who it is.”
The sound of the engine grew louder as headlights appeared around a curve in the road. The beams bobbed up and down as the truck drove slowly over the deep ruts.
Tyler peered into the darkness, but all she could see were the headlights coming closer.
Alex shaded his eyes. “That’s Gabe’s truck. I recognize the front grille. And he’s driving like an old lady, which tells me Morgan’s in the truck and he’s worried about jostling her too much. We might as well walk to meet them.”
“Listen, before we see them, I have a thought. How about we agree to tell them everything?”
“Everything? Don’t you think that’s TMI?”
“Not everything, as in everything. But I want them to know that we spent the night in the hayloft last August and we’re renewing that… acquaintance.”
“But won’t that give them the wrong idea? Like we might be getting serious?”
“Not if we explain it as a…”
“As a what, Tyler?”
The truck drew closer. “I’ll figure it out.” In the light from the approaching truck she could see the doubt in his expression. “I just want to make sure you’re okay with me giving them a little bit of background. I don’t want Morgan to think I’m… well, that we’re…”
“Wild? Promiscuous?”
“Something like that, yeah. I mean, she is my big sister, and I’ve always looked up to her.”
Alex chuckled. “I’ll have to find out if Josie’s always looked up to me. Dollars to donuts she’d deny doing that.”
“She might deny it, but I’ll bet she does. I idolized Morgan when we were younger, but I also wanted to make sure I did my own thing, which is why I got into the cruise business. She would never have considered the lifestyle I’ve chosen.”
“You went into that field just to be different from her?”
“Well, not just that.” Tyler realized how her statement must have sounded, but she hadn’t taken up the cruise business as a reaction to Morgan’s dream of becoming a real estate agent in Shoshone. She’d had plenty of other reasons.
“It’s also a great life,” she said. “I love ships, and water, and the travel opportunities.” Though she had to admit that she was so busy during a cruise that she didn’t have much chance to actually see the ports where the ship docked. She had enough time to grab a quick souvenir from a nearby shop and that was about it.
“They’re almost here,” Alex said. “I’ll leave the explanation to you, then.”
“Thanks.”
The truck stopped and the dome light came on as Gabe opened the driver’s side door. Sure enough, Morgan was sitting in the passenger seat. She gave a little wave.
Gabe left the truck running and the headlights on as he jumped down and came toward them. “Since you’re hoofing it, I have to believe you ran out of gas.”
Alex walked toward him and shook his hand. “Good guess.”
“We brought a can. After Jack realized which truck you two had taken out here, he mentioned that it was low on gas, so Morgan and I volunteered to ride to the rescue.”
“That was really sweet,” Tyler said. “Thanks.”
“It was Morgan’s idea,” Gabe said. “You know Morgan, like a mother hen, especially these days. Where’s the truck?”
“Back at the site,” Alex said. “It’s late, so you can just give me the can and take Tyler back home, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Gabe said. “We can drive you both there. We can squeeze Tyler up front with us and you can ride in the back. Even if I’m going slow because of Morgan’s condition, it’ll still be a lot faster than you walking.”
“We accept.” Tyler glanced over at Alex. “We both have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. We need our sleep.”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Gabe said. “So hop on in the back, Alex. Tyler, let me get the door for you.”
“I’ll help her in.” Alex moved quickly around to the passenger side.
Tyler almost laughed at the possessive note in Alex’s voice. If Gabe hadn’t known the situation before, he could certainly guess it from Alex’s overly gallant behavior. Well, it didn’t matter what Gabe suspected. She’d fill in her sister and brother-in-law on the short drive back to the sacred site.
“Hey, there, little sis,” Morgan said as Alex handed her up into the cab.
“Hi, Morgan.” Tyler gave Alex’s hand a squeeze before releasing it. “Thanks, Alex.”
“Make sure your foot’s out of the way before I close the door,” he said.
Tyler tucked in next to her very pregnant sister, and it was a tight fit. “Morgan, if I’m crowding you too much, I can ride in back with Alex.”
“Nope, this is just ducky,” Morgan said. Then she lowered her voice. “And I want to talk to you, so don’t ride in back.”
“All righty, then! I’m in, Alex, so go ahead and close the door.”
Once all three of them were in the front seat, Gabe rolled down his window. “Holler when you’re aboard, Keller!”
“I’m in!” Alex called back.
Gabe glanced over at Morgan and Tyler. “You two okay?”
“We’re perfect,” Morgan said. “You have no idea how many times we had to ride squished together when we were kids. The folks would load up on groceries and maybe buy more camping equipment, which meant we had to pack in like sardines. This is nothing.”
Gabe released the emergency brake. “I just want to make sure all’s well with my two ladies and the little… one.”
Morgan blew out a breath. “You’re going to let it slip yet, Gabriel.”
“Even if you did,” Tyler said. “I can keep a secret. And besides, I’m leaving.”
“Uh-huh.” Morgan held onto the dash as the truck bounced over a rut. “That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Please tell me you’re not going to break that poor boy’s heart.”
“Hearts aren’t involved,” Tyler said. “It’s a physical attraction, plain and simple.”
“I’ve never known a physical attraction to be simple. Have you, Gabe?”
“I need to concentrate on my driving.”
Morgan sighed. “It’s a country road, not a twelve-lane freeway. Give us the male perspective. Do you think there’s any such thing as a purely physical relationship between a man and a woman?”
“I suppose there can be,” Gabe said cautiously.
“Really?” Morgan turned to him. “Have you experienced that yourself, then?”
“Uh… well, I… wow, this road is really tricky. I need to be on my toes. Sorry. Can’t let myself get distracted or we might end up in a ditch.”
Morgan sighed again. “I can see that you don’t want to talk about it, and I’m not sure I’d believe you, anyway. People, especially guys, like to say they’ve had relationships that were only about the sex, but I wonder if that’s ever true, unless you’re paying for it.”
“And we’re definitely not talking about that,” Gabe said. “In fact, I don’t think we should talk about any of this. Let Tyler and Alex work this out however they want. They don’t need us to be interfering in their private business.”
“Thank you, Gabe,” Tyler said. “I appreciate that sentiment.”
“It’s easy for him to say.” Morgan clutched the dash again. “He’s not your sister.”
Gabe laughed. “No, I’m not. That would be complicated.”
Tyler couldn’t help giggling. She’d forgotten how funny her brother-in-law could be.
“Look, you two can yuk it up all you want, but I’m worried about Alex, and I’m worried about you, too, Tyler. I know you, and I don’t think you’re any more capable of having a no-strings attached affair than Alex is. At least one person’s going to get hurt, and maybe both of you will.”
“So what are we
supposed to do about it?” Tyler had thought all those things and would love some answers. “Sarah put us across the hall from each other, and even if she hadn’t, after what happened last August we probably would have found some way to be together.”
“Last August?” Gabe and Morgan said in unison.
Tyler had meant to lead up to the subject, but the discussion hadn’t gone quite the way she’d anticipated. “After the reception, Alex and I took a bottle of champagne and had a private party up in the hayloft.”
“No kidding?” Gabe sounded intrigued. “How was that? Because I’ve always sort of — ouch!” He rubbed his arm where Morgan had pinched him.
“This isn’t about exploring your hayloft fantasies,” Morgan said, all business. “It’s about Tyler and Alex and what happens now. So have you two been keeping in touch since then?”
“No. He was getting over a divorce and I was leaving the next day. I knew I might see him when I came back this time, but I thought he was at the radio station and lived in Jackson. I expected that he might show up for a meal or something, but we’d both agreed what happened in August was a one-time thing.”
“Hm.” Morgan put a protective hand over her belly as the truck jolted over another rut. “But judging from the way you two came back together like two refrigerator magnets, I—”
“Refrigerator magnets.” Gabe chuckled. “I like that.”
“Unfortunately, it fits,” Tyler said. “We can’t seem to keep away from each other, but it can’t turn into anything permanent. I’m not ready to find my soul mate.”
“Neither was I,” Morgan said. “He showed up, anyway.”
Gabe smiled at her. “Thanks. That sounded sort of like a compliment.”
“It was a compliment. I’m very grateful that you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Yeah,” Tyler said, “but at least you weren’t planning to travel the world for the next several years.”
“No, but I had no intention of popping out babies, which was the main sticking point between us.” She waved a hand over her belly. “And here I am, fifteen months pregnant and counting.”
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