“Cream and a teaspoon of sugar.”
Reid poured two cups. He added sugar to both and a healthy teaspoon of creamer into one of them. “Enough?”
She arched her brow.
Chuckling, he tipped the container and stirred. “Message received.” He handed her the mug.
It tasted perfect. “Thank you.”
“Sit. I’ll bring you breakfast.”
A placemat with a folded paper napkin waited.
“I wanted to prepare you something hot, but you’re short on supplies.” He placed a bowl of Cheerios and a carton of milk in front of her. A gorgeous guy serving her food. Wow. She could get used to this. Stick to the plan. Lauren poked the spoon into the cereal. “Any luck?”
“If you’re asking if I’ve remembered something, no.” He sat at the table and released a heavy exhale. Grimness dimmed his eyes. “I’m going to take a look around. Hopefully something will wake me up.”
“I’ll help.”
“Are you sure?”
The offer had rolled out before she could catch it. The boxes upstairs wouldn’t unpack themselves. Still, tapping out and leaving him to face an uncertain future alone didn’t sit well.
Lauren set down her spoon. “Yes. Where do you think we should start?”
“Okay, I’m ready.” Lauren tightened the sleeves of the sweatshirt she’d tied around her waist. Light hiking boots, coats of bug spray, and sunscreen completed the ensemble of jeans and T-shirt. She joined Reid at the bottom of the stairs where she’d found him. He’d fashioned her rain poncho into a makeshift pack. The four bottles of water and granola bars wouldn’t allow them to go far.
Reid surveyed the woods surrounding the cabin. Broken branches and limbs littered the backyard. He pointed. “I remember coming from that direction.”
“South?”
“Yeah. South.” A smile of approval tipped up his mouth.
She and her father used to hike together. He’d taught her how to read the sun and how to navigate with a compass.
“Here.” He gave her one of the tall, thick branches in his grasp. “You can use this as a walking stick.”
They slipped through the pines that loomed above like guardians. Wetness left from the rain warmed in the heat. Farther in, it grew more humid. She started to sweat. The ground sloped downward as they moved in and out of the shadows. Mud, sticks, and damp leaves shifted under her feet.
Reid pushed aside broken branches. “How well do you know the area?”
“I haven’t been out here in a while. I do know that there isn’t much in this direction. The main road is to the north. The pond is east.”
“So if I came in from this way, I would have hiked, not driven. Not an easy task without the proper clothing or equipment. How far are the other cabins in this area?”
She stepped over moss-covered roots pushing up from the ground. “About ten to fifteen miles away. Same direction as the pond.”
The terrain shifted upward. She relied heavily on the walking stick for balance. Her thighs burned more than they did in spin class.
He helped her over a stair-like rock formation. Lauren stepped down and slipped. “Whoa!” She fell against him.
He easily absorbed the impact and wrapped an arm around her waist. Her breasts pillowed against his chest. Her heart accelerated from the unsteady beat of surprise into one heavy with awareness. Lauren curled her fingers into the curves of his hard pecs. His mouth, inches away, tempted her. A whisper of a sigh opened her lips.
His brows snapped down. “Don’t. Move.”
She followed his gaze. A snake slithered past. Lauren gulped.
Reid let her go. “You’re tired. We should head back.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need to take a break.” And a really cold shower. Time to add no kissing or cuddling up with gorgeous strangers who’d landed on her doorstep to the hell-no list.
They hiked to a clearing and stopped to rest. Birds chirped and the wind sang through the trees.
“I wish I were here under different circumstances. It’s beautiful.” Reid stared out at the mountains. “The air is so fresh…”
The whispered words flowed out of her mouth. “All you want to do is stand here and breathe.” A shiver of unease zipped down her spine.
His gaze clashed with hers. “That’s exactly what I was going to say. How did you know?”
Her hands trembled. The water bottle she held tipped and water splashed over her fingers. “I didn’t.” Lauren diverted her attention to her hands and shook off the moisture. Not true in the least. The words seemed so familiar and right.
“No.” Reid gripped her arms. “What are you not saying? What do you know about me?”
“Nothing. I just guessed.”
“Then why do I seem to know you? Why do I feel…” As he looked at the mountains, his shoulders sagged with a deep exhale.
She laid her hand against his chest. His heart hammered. “I’d tell you if I knew who you are or how you know me. Honest, Reid. I have no reason to keep it from you.”