by Jamie Craig
"No soaking me. Not yet, anyway. I've got too much work to do to be stuck in wet jeans."
"Why? What's the sudden rush to get it cleaned up?” Her question was cautious, her tone not quite as playful as it had been. “Did something happen?"
"No. Well, yes.” Spencer sat back on his heels. “You should probably go start packing."
"What for?"
"For four weeks of national parks."
Becca stared at him for long seconds before carefully saying, “How'd you know about the national parks?"
"The editor called today. She's a nice lady. I liked her. And when she told me about the offer, which now includes four weeks of travel expenses, I told her you'd accept."
"I'd...” She sat down heavily on the bench, never taking her eyes off him. “You had no right to do that, Spence. I'm not taking the job."
"You are, because she's sending the contract overnight, and I promised her you would. If you don't, you'll make me a liar."
"Do you even know what this job is about? Four weeks of driving. All over the place. And then traipsing around outside until I find the perfect shots. Four weeks. I'd have to go on leave at the paper. And I wouldn't be here to help you when you need me to."
Spencer pushed himself to his feet and stretched his back, nearly hitting his head on the low ceiling. Dropping the sponge, he stepped out of the narrow door and settled on the bench beside her.
"Becca, darlin', I think I should be asking you that question. Do you know what this job is about? Do you realize it's bigger than your dad's paper? Bigger than anything you've ever done. I know why you didn't take it, but I can't let you turn your back on this chance."
"There'll be other chances. You've got your surgeries. I can't leave you alone for that."
"No, Becca. You cannot live like this. You can't pass on opportunity after opportunity, promising yourself you'll catch the next one. If you do, you will never, ever leave Oakley. And if that's what you want, fine. Just admit it now. Besides, we haven't scheduled the surgeries yet."
"That's not what I want. I want out of this town. I just...” Her attention wandered, drinking in the trailer's interior. “Do you think I'm good enough for this kind of job? Because I do know what it's about, you know. I know it's big. I just don't want to blow it."
"You've got to start somewhere, darlin'. I paid my dues for twelve rodeos and didn't get a single ride. Forget winning a purse, I would have been happy to just walk out of there with my pride intact. And I could have slunk off with my tail between my legs because it was all too big for me and I fucked it up. But instead I drew that thirteenth bull."
Her clear eyes came back to him, glowing with warmth. “Because you don't give up. You never have."
"You don't give up, either. But you've been worrying about your dad, and the newspaper, and me.” Spencer squeezed her fingers. “I love that you don't give up on people, but I'm not going to be reason you stay here. And I'm not going to let your fear stop you."
"It's not just that.” The long strokes of her thumb along the side of his hand were usually meant to soothe. Now, they seemed sensual, lingering on sensitive spots before gliding along. “I didn't like the idea of leaving you behind. Not after what happened with Travis last week. I still don't like it. Unless...” Her mouth canted into a half-smile. “You come with me. It'll be like what we were going to do last summer, except, well, no rodeos and lots of mountains. And maybe a bear or two. That's the only way I'll think about it. Because I like it better when you're with me than when you're not."
A smile tugged on his mouth. “You think I'm going to let you just take off with what is still my home?"
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I thought you were cleaning it up so it'd be more comfortable when you moved in while I was gone. Not that I planned to let you do that, but...” She stopped and shook her head. “Never mind. I think my brain is just short-circuiting from all of this. Let's start this over. So you'll come with me?"
"Yes, I'm going to come with you. I'm not going to let you take off for weeks without me."
He was knocked back against the cushion when she launched herself at him, her arms going around his neck. Hot kisses rained along his jaw, and he shifted along the bench in order to pull her more tightly onto his lap.
"I couldn't believe it when she called,” she said. “I mean, I know Dad said those wildfire shots were getting attention, but I never in a million years expected this. You have no idea how hard it was to tell her no at first. But I just couldn't leave you, even if it was only for a month."
"Why didn't you tell me about it when she called?"
"What was the point? I wasn't going to take it. I thought it would just make you feel bad if I told you I'd turned it down."
"You're right. It would have. If only because there's no reason for both of us to be paying for my foolishness."
"Oh, please. One accident doesn't make it foolishness.” Becca twisted in order to look over the trailer, this time with a more discerning eye. “You said she's sending the contract tomorrow? That doesn't give me much time for shopping."
"Shopping? What do you need to shop for?"
"Oh, you know, stuff to make it more comfortable in here for a month. Plus, we're going to be hiking quite a bit. We won't be able to get the truck everywhere I'll need to get.” She ran her hand up his sling, stopping just below his shoulder before letting it fall back to her lap. “Are you going to be okay with your shoulder? We might need to camp away from the trailer once or twice. The ground's not as comfortable as my bed."
Spencer smiled at her obvious enthusiasm. It was like a light had been turned on behind her eyes. Her whole face became animated, and she was already moving, her body catching up with her quick mind.
"Don't worry about me. I haven't gone soft yet."
"No, you most definitely haven't."
This time when she kissed him, she didn't bother with teasing. She went straight for his mouth, hungry and hot as her tongue demanded entrance. Spencer gave it willingly, pressing her even closer, and for several minutes, forgot about the half-scrubbed shower stall, or the bed that needed airing, or the bugs living under the sink. All that mattered was her mouth and how well they fit together.
"They're going to give me a hard time at the drugstore,” she said when they parted. “But I'll just have to explain I'm leaving for four weeks with my hot boyfriend, and no way am I running out of condoms just because there isn't a store within a hundred-mile radius."
Spencer laughed. “I'll be sure to stop and buy some every time we pass a drugstore. In the mean time, think we can take a little break from all this hard work?"
"Are you kidding?” She clambered off his lap, scooping up the spray bottle and one of the rags. “We've got a lot of work to do. But I'll make you a deal. We get this done, and after, you can have me for as long as you want, whatever you want. Okay?"
"That's fair.” Spencer grinned. “I'm going to be all sweaty and it's been awhile since you gave me one of those sponge baths."
Her smile was just as mischievous. “And this time, I'll even take off my bra for you."
That was enough to push Spencer to his feet. “Well, hell, let's get to work. Daylight's wasting!"
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CHAPTER 18
Orange and mauve sliced over the horizon, reflecting across the water of Crater Lake, stretching in long fingers along its placid surface. The trees didn't move. There wasn't even a breath of wind. Rebecca sat on the rock she'd picked out for her shots, her knees brought up so her elbows could rest on them while she waited. Even if the ground hadn't been too uneven to allow her to set up a tripod, she wouldn't have used one anyway. Cradling her camera in her hands gave her freedom to adjust quickly. If she needed to shift an inch to the left to get a better picture, she could without losing time.
Static wasn't her style. Not anymore.
The sun inched downward, sinking below the craggy edge of the crater sliver by sliver. Part of Rebecca wishe
d the book didn't have an autumn theme. The snow capping the mountains would completely change the shape and hue of the sunset. The colors would reflect off icy peaks as well as the water, and the result would be breathtaking. Not that it wasn't beautiful now, but Rebecca suspected it could be even more so.
Her shutter clicked, over and over again, as she followed the sun's descent. Once, she leaned forward a fraction in order to get a longer angle on the water, but other than that, Rebecca remained as still as the Oregon air, only her camera betraying her location.
As the shadows gathered around her, she heard the rustle and crackle of Spencer's approach. She kept her focus on the camera and the waning minutes of the sunset, but she wasn't surprised when she felt the brush of his knees against her back. He didn't otherwise disturb her or try to speak, his silence respectful of her work and the glory in front of them.
When the sun was completely gone, she lowered her camera and unscrewed the lens, replacing it quickly to allow for better shots of the reflections in the lake. She had to work fast. Light was precious, valued in seconds, and she could miss a spectacular shot by being clumsy.
She clicked until the lake was a black oasis spread out in front of her, swallowing even the stray glints of light coming from the stars. With a sigh, Rebecca lowered her camera to her lap, leaning back into Spencer's legs.
"If these turn out the way I think they will, I think we can officially cross Crater Lake off the to-do list,” she said.
"That's good, because the itinerary Shelli sent doesn't really leave us a lot of time.” He squeezed her shoulder, massaging the tension out of her muscles. “You hungry?"
"Starved. Please tell me you fixed something."
"The freshest fish you've ever had in your life. Complete with the required lemon juice."
Her stomach rumbled in approval. “Who knew taking so many pictures could make you so hungry?” Grabbing her case, she set the camera inside, ready to dismantle when they got back to the trailer. Spencer straightened and stepped out of her way, but with the first shift to stand, Rebecca groaned. “Remind me next time to bring the cushion with me. My ass fell asleep again."
"You forgot your water bottle and your crackers, too.” Spencer took her arm and gently helped her to her feet. He didn't seem to mind when she leaned against him. “I'm going to have to go through a checklist with you every morning, aren't I?"
"I could write it on my hand.” She shot him a grin. “That always worked for tests in high school."
Spencer snorted. “I'll have to take your word for it.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “I still had some vegetables from that stand we stopped at the other day. And I've got something special for dessert."
"Mmmm, something special. I like the sounds of that."
The solidity of his arm was the best thing she'd felt all day. Resting her head against his shoulder, Rebecca breathed deeply, taking in the scent of his body wash as much as the evergreens surrounding them. Though they had been on the road now for over a week, it still amazed her how just the smell of him could trigger such a sense of peace. Like she recognized what being in his presence meant. Nobody ever made her feel as welcome or wanted as Spence did. Nobody had ever supported her like he did. Having him with her now was the best part of this entire job.
Their camping area was surprisingly welcoming. Jake jumped at the sight of her, pulling the leash Spencer had left him on taut in his desperation to reach Rebecca. A fire smoldered in the fire pit, and what looked to be a small Dutch oven resting on the hot coals. On the other side, there were several fish wrapped in tinfoil and cooking on a rock. He had the chairs and a small portable table set up near the fire, with a cooler she knew would be full of water and Coke.
"You getting tired of roughing it yet?"
Rebecca dropped her case on the step of the trailer before heading over to sink into one of the chairs. “Nah, not really. Though I do miss my bathtub. With extra hot water and lots of bubbles.” Her gaze strayed to the dark line of the horizon, blanketed in the encroaching night. “But it doesn't really compare to this, does it?"
She felt Spencer's gaze move up and down her body. “I don't know. I think in certain situations, a bathtub full of hot, bubbly water might be better."
The heat of the fire warmed her calves, but the appreciation in Spence's eyes warmed her everywhere else. “Do you think our travel expenses might include a night in a hotel when we have a chance? Someplace we can spoil ourselves rotten."
"Our travel expenses will probably cover more than a night. They didn't exactly give us enough to live in luxury, but then, I've been feeding you food I've scrounged up here and there."
Twisting to the side, she reached and flipped open the lid of the cooler, blindly digging around for a bottle of water. “How long did you last today? Your shoulder give you any problems while you were fishing?"
Spencer squatted beside the fire and pulled the foil packets farther from the flames. “Mostly fine. I had to take a few painkillers when I got back to the trailer. Not the good stuff."
She pulled out a bottle for Spence, too, opening it and setting it in his chair's holder. “Nothing that's going to get in the way of us celebrating our last night in Oregon, though, right?"
"Not at all.” He looked around the fire and swore under his breath. “Be right back."
Before she asked what was wrong, he hurried to the trailer, pausing only long enough to scoop up the camera bag before bounding up the stairs. He emerged moments later, balancing two plates, a bowl of vegetables, and Jake's dinner. Though his shoulder was still immobile, it didn't appear to bother him anymore.
Rebecca rose to help him dish up, savoring each brush of their bare arms. Without the sun, the night grew chilly, but the fire helped stave off the need for jackets just yet. She liked seeing his bare arms, the way the muscles flexed with each movement of his hands. He had continued the strengthening exercises after they'd left Oakley, as well as switched the sling for an immobilizing brace. Getting dressed was a hell of a lot easier now, though Spence still played around and insisted she help.
"Is this much different from when you'd travel for your riding?” she asked after they'd settled in their chairs.
"Yeah. My schedule used to be tighter with the rodeo. Now if we get to Yellowstone in the afternoon instead of the morning, it's not a big deal. But being late two or three hours would mean missing the event and losing my entry fee. I'm eating better now.” He balanced the plate on his leg and began to pull the moist fish apart. “And I got better company now."
She smiled at the compliment. Watching him eat for a moment, she debated whether or not to ask the obvious question. Though they talked a lot, about a wide variety of topics, some issues were never raised. They had some unspoken agreement to leave it alone, and really, that's what Rebecca wanted. Most of the time.
Not now.
"Do you miss it?” She tried to make it sound casual, even though it was the first time she'd dared to broach the subject. “I wonder sometimes, that's all."
"Every single day. I'm not saying I'm going to drop everything tomorrow and run away to join up on the circuit again. But it's still a little strange, to think about where I would have been, what I could have been doing. How close I was to making it to the PBR."
Rebecca nodded. She hadn't expected anything less, and the truth should be in the open. She didn't want him secretly tucking away all his resentment until he simply disappeared.
"Would catching one of the rodeos help?” She broke off a large piece of fish. “I was thinking, before your next surgery, maybe we could find one and hang out for the day. If you wanted to."
"I don't know. Chances are if we do, everybody will just demand to know when I'm coming back."
"Well, if you decide you want to, I'm in. I want the chance to show you off."
"They've all seen me before, darlin'. I'd be showing you off."
She waved him off, even if it did please her to no end, and dropped the subject. She'd d
one what she had to. Spencer knew if he wanted to go, she would be right there at his side. The ultimate decision was his to make.
Her supper disappeared so fast, she wondered how she'd even made it back to trailer. With a groan of relief, she set the plate aside and stretched out, leaning her head against the back of the chair in order to stare into the sky.
"I don't think I've ever been this happy before,” she said softly. “It just...doesn't seem real sometimes."
"It's not a bad life.” Spence grinned. “It probably helps that you haven't spent a rainy night in my leaky trailer."
"Oh, sure, now you tell me it leaks. You held back that detail on purpose, didn't you?"
"Of course.” He reached for her hand and brought it up to his mouth. “I had to make sure you'd agree to share it with me."
Her fingers traced his lower lip, her thumb tickling at the corner. She loved his mouth. “You could have distracted me with tequila and the promise of body shots. That probably would have worked, too."
"I'll make sure we have a bottle stocked in case we do get caught in the rain.” He bit at her thumb, catching it lightly between his teeth. She yelped and pulled it away, earning another smile from him. “You have room for dessert?"
"When do I not?"
"There's a tub of whipped cream in the icebox. You get it and a blanket, and I'll dish up your surprise."
Rebecca nodded and pushed herself out of the chair. Spencer stood as well and pulled on a thick leather glove. She watched as he lifted the small Dutch oven out of the fire and removed the lid. She instantly caught the scent of hot, chocolate cake. The sweet smell was so strong, it momentarily overwhelmed the more acrid smoke from the fire.
When she returned from the trailer with the whipped cream and blanket, he had two plates with large helpings of chocolate cake and, she saw on closer inspection, cherries. The smell was even more divine.
"Now, you put on a bit of whipped cream and it'll be the best cake you ever had. Be careful, though, it's hot."