She nods. “What kind of minerals? You know you need a permit for any excavation. This is a private mountainside. Henry, Julie, and Maddox own all this land.”
There’s no way in hell Joe went through with a permit. I’m sure we’re up here unwelcomed, but I’d only be putting the girls in danger if they knew.
“I’m only working for a guy. I assume he’s gone through all the proper channels, but I don’t know for sure.” Technically, that’s true. I don’t know, but if I were betting, I wouldn’t put my chips on Joe. Once someone strikes gold, like that lady did here locally, Joe’s immediately on the road trying to get in before anyone else and collect some for himself.
She nods as though this is answer enough, then stares back out the front window, Brianna still driving slow as hell.
I should keep my eye on the road as well, but I can’t look away from Reese. First it’s her silky-smooth leg that’s brushing against mine, then it’s the soft scent of her skin wafting closer to me. She’s young, too young for me, but there’s no denying she’s amazing. She’s gorgeous, quick witted, and sweet. She didn’t have to help me like she did, but it didn’t seem like that was even an option for her.
“So you girls go camping often?” I’m making awkward conversation to avoid the strange silence in the Jeep, and it gives me the perfect reason to keep staring at Reese.
Brianna stays quiet, moving her eyes into the rearview mirror, which is angled to keep an eye on me, and then back to the road. She’s wary, as she should be. Reese is much less so. It’s refreshing.
“We don’t camp much,” Reese says, turning toward me. “Actually… this is our first time.”
“Why are you telling him that?” Brianna snaps. “He’s going to kill us now.”
Reese narrows her brows. “For knowing we’re camp virgins?” She leans against me dramatically, her hand on her head like a damsel in distress. “She’s right. Just take me now. I can’t start a fire, and I’m no good at being chased.” Laughter barrels out of her as she sits back up. “Come on, Brianna. That makes zero sense. He’s not killing anyone.” She turns toward me. “Right?”
I laugh. “Right. Just wondering what your skill level is because it’s advanced camping up here. There’re no designated camp spots. It’s just a load of woods and wild animals.”
Brianna looks back through the rearview again. “I told her we should get a hotel and book some spa treatments. There’s this great place in San Francisco that has all these fancy rock and mud—”
“That doesn’t get you out of your bubble, though,” Reese says. “You were just talking about adventure. Now is your time. Besides, we can scrub mud all over our faces out here for free.”
They look very close in age. I’d guess they’re within a few years of each other, though Brianna’s more cautious attitude does scream the older, protective sibling.
“I have a brother myself,” I say, glancing toward Brianna. “I know what a pain in the ass siblings can be.” I grin and shoot a quick stare at Reese, who slaps me in the chest playfully. “Just be careful out there this weekend. Also, I see my stop up ahead.” I point toward a rocky ravine with a faded strawberry stand nearby.
Brianna puts the Jeep in park and leans back, sighing with what I assume is relief that she hasn’t been murdered.
Reese, however, hops from the truck to help me gather my things from the back. “Good luck on your mineral hunting. I hear there’s a lot of gold up here.” She looks toward me, our hands touching as she hands me my things. “I’ll try to keep my mouth shut about your lack of permits, but I can’t speak for my sister. You saw how she is.”
I laugh and stare back at her, our gaze locked together. “Thanks… for helping me. You really didn’t have to. I—”
“It’s nothing. We’re camping just west of here, anyway. Just promise me you won’t be so sexist with the next woman you see. It may surprise you, but women these days can be quite capable.”
I laugh. “I’ll try, but something tells me I’ll fail.”
A gentle smile lifts onto her face as she lowers her head, then draws her gaze up slowly. “Get out of here. Enjoy your digging.”
I stand in the gravel a moment longer, staring back at her, heating up from the inside out. She’s beyond gorgeous. I don’t want to move. Every cell in my body wants to stand here and stare at her for as long as she’ll allow. Then she’ll let my hands wander up and over her curves, pulling her into my orbit and pressing her against me until I don’t feel anything else but her soft skin. But that’s not realistic. I need to get down to the bottom of the ravine before the guys start talking.
Reese twists past me, bumping my shoulder gently as she moves toward the passenger’s door and climbs in. Her gaze never leaves mine as Brianna backs out of the parking spot and takes off just about as quick as I’d expect, taking a part of me with her.
I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to run after a girl more. Though from the hollering coming from down in the ravine, I’m guessing Joe feels strongly against it.
“Who the fuck was that?” he shouts from the riverbank as I make my way down the tumbling rocks. His rifle is swung over his shoulder and there’s a team of men beside him. Some of them I know from Fairbanks, others I’ve never seen before.
“My truck broke down a few miles away. They were just giving me a ride.” My heart clenches as I see in Joe’s eyes that I’ve made the wrong decision.
He stalks toward me, his jaw clenched, his fingertip on the trigger of his rifle, though he hasn’t aimed it yet. “How much did you tell them?”
“Nothing, man,” I say, walking past him toward the line of rafts set at the edge of the riverbank. I doubt he has the balls to hurt me, and I don’t want to give him the impression that he owns me, because he doesn’t. If anything, he’s about to get his ass kicked.
He grips my shoulder as he moves, his gaze dark and unwavering as he shouts out an order. “Go find that Jeep, and do what you need to, or I will. No one can know we’re here.”