Page 70 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

“Is it gone?” I whispered.

“You can talk normally.”

“No way,” I whispered again.

He chuckled, shrugging off his backpack and dropping it on the ground. He dug out two bottles of water, handing me mine, and then surprised me by taking out a gleaming silver pistol.

I suddenly felt sorry for the bear.

“You’re packing heat?” I teased.

“Better to be prepared.” Kaine shrugged. “Bear spray is the best, but having a gun handy doesn’t hurt either. I prefer to carry it in a holster on my hip, but I didn’t want to scare you.”

“It’s fine. Owen insisted I take a handgun class after he joined the military. Guns don’t scare me. Have you had that with us on every hike?”

He nodded. “Just the last couple. With the berries coming on like they have, it’s not unusual to see more bears up here.”

“How dangerous was that situation?” I asked, pointing in the direction of where we’d seen the bear.

“It was good that we didn’t surprise him and we had some distance. But on the next hike, you’ll have your own can of spray, and we’re going to get some bells to make more noise.”

“Seriously?” I was not feeling so hot about living in the forest at the moment. “Is it safe around my house?”

“Bears are mostly pests, like big raccoons. If one gets comfortable around your house, they might make a damn mess of your garbage. So keep your lids on tight. But they normally live deeper in the woods. The only reason they’re venturing closer to town now is because the huckleberries are so thick this year.”

“I don’t want to be eaten by a bear.”

Kaine chuckled. “I won’t let you get eaten by a bear. But no more hiking without me.”

“Oh, I’m never hiking alone again,” I declared.

Kaine flashed me one of his rare smiles. “Want to keep going?”

“Hell no. I’m locking myself in my camper for the rest of the weekend where it’s safe and there’s pie.”

“Pie?”

“Huckleberry. I was going to surprise you after dinner.”

His groan was nothing less than erotic, and it made my mouth dry. I took a drink from my water, then put it in his backpack, doing my best to erase that delicious sound from my memory.

Most days, it was easier to be around Kaine. But for some reason, today I was struggling to resist his temptation. After he left tonight, I’d probably be so wired, I’d have to take a shower and use my fingers to relieve some of the ache between my legs.

Kaine took a long drink from his own water, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gulped, then shoved it in his backpack. The bear spray stayed in one hand while his gun was tucked safely in his pocket as we descended the trail back to our homes.

If we did see another bear, Kaine would keep me safe. Out here, he was my protector.

A smile pulled at the corners of my mouth, and I looked down, hiding it from him with my hat. If my life was in danger, Kaine would wrestle a bear to the ground and kick its ass before making it his living room rug.

A giggle bubbled free.

“What?” Kaine asked over his shoulder.

I shook my head, coughing to hide another laugh. “Nothing.”

Maybe Kaine would let me name the bear rug. It would have to be something manly, like the owner himself. A name like Boris or Baran or Boryenka. Apparently Kaine’s imaginary rug was Russian.

Too busy brainstorming names, I didn’t notice the shining black sedan parked behind my Mini. Not until a familiar voice startled me, and I knew exactly who I’d see as I peered past Kaine’s broad shoulders.