38

I watched her walk over to the fire and sit down next to it, hugging her knees to her chest. She reached for the rabbit, fully cooked by then, and took a few nibbles. I let out a long breath and turned away from her. I put a hand on my chest, where my heart still beat almost as quickly as it had when I’d gone on my run earlier. I was grateful for the distance from her; I needed to get a handle on my emotions and impulses concerning this woman. But there was a tiny, sweet thrill in my chest accompanying my thunderous heartbeat. I refused to read into it, forcing myself to focus on the path ahead. Deep down, I understood that I was far too pleased to see her calm, eating, and warming herself by the fire—I was happy that she was safe.

13

NIGHT

Finally, after two additional days of walking through the forest, the end of our journey was near. We had set up camp in a little clearing with a canopy of trees that almost covered the sky. As I helped take down the camp, I drew in a deep breath.