“I’d say Riley knows herself very well. That’s one. And to add, she didn’t seem pissed or distracted just now to me.”
“She’s canny,” Doyle contested, and made Bran smile.
“That she is. And still from where I’m standing it’s yourself who seems distracted and pissed. You have feelings for her.”
“Of course I do. We’re sleeping together.”
“To borrow from Sawyer, just let me say: Dude.”
That surprised a laugh out of Doyle. “All right, no, I haven’t had feelings for every woman I’ve slept with. But we’re part of a unit, we’re connected.” He studied the rope. “Tied together.”
“I’m a man in love, and that love increases every day. It’s amazing to me. So I’ve seen your struggle. We’re connected—tied together—so I’d wish you happy, as I’ve seen, clear enough, she adds to you, and you to her. But it’s for you to know, you to decide.”
“There’s nothing more to know, and no decision to make. And more pressing matters to deal with.” Doyle took the last coil of rope off the wall.
• • •
Once they?
?d eaten, they stood at the seawall.
Sasha looked over and down, paled. “It’s a long drop.”
“Mister Wizard isn’t going to let you fall.” Expertly, Riley looped rope around Sasha’s waist. “Plus, as discussed, Sawyer, Doyle, and I all have rock-climbing experience. All you have to do is watch your step, follow our lead.”
“And don’t look down,” Sasha said.
“If the bow feels awkward, leave it here. You can take one of my guns. You’re a better than decent shot.”
“I’m better with the bow. I can handle it.”
Riley secured a knot. She might have wished for some sturdy carabiners, a couple of belay devices, and some good harnesses, but you couldn’t have everything. And the rope was first-rate.
She measured a length, moved to secure Bran.
“She’ll be fine,” Riley said quietly, “but if she gets jiggly, talk to her. That’ll calm her down.”
She shifted her gaze, noted Doyle looped Sawyer in beside Annika. Satisfied, she began securing herself.
“Let me check that.” Doyle moved to her.
She took a mental survey as his hands brushed here, there. Yeah, she could handle it.
“The first real climb for me was in Arizona, studying the Ancestral Puebloans. Hot and dry,” she added, glancing up to the soft blue of the morning sky. “Windless.” She looked back at him, met his eyes. “Sasha’s jittery, but she’ll handle it.”
“Okay. Secure the end.”
He waited while Riley wound the rope around a tree trunk, tied it off.
“Want to check it?”
Doyle shook his head. As in most things, she knew what she was doing.
Though he didn’t need the rope, he used it. And took the lead by vaulting over the wall. With her usual enthusiasm, Annika leaped over with him.
“Easy,” Sawyer warned, and landed on the narrow edge of soft sod. “Not everybody has your balance.”
“He means me.” Sasha swung over. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”