Page 61 of The Hero She Loves

It was warm today, with the sun shining overhead in a blue, cloudless sky. Jenna had worked up a sweat as they hiked. The trees were sparse and the land here was flat. The mountains ahead were breathtaking.

“There’s a public campground a few klicks away,” Park said looking at the map.

“My guess is that he’d avoid people.” Jenna scanned around. “He’d hide somewhere. In a place with a good vantage point and view. Somewhere where he can see us coming.”

“Except the tops of all the mountains here have no trees. Doesn’t leave many places to hide. He’ll stay close.” Park crouched. “He definitely came this way. Shoe print.”

They kept moving, moving into an area with more trees. She breathed in the fresh, green, piney scent.

Suddenly, Park stopped. There was an intense look on his face.

She slowed her steps. “What is it?” She hadn’t heard or seen anything. She looked into the trees, searching for what had set him off.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Something…”

Jenna took another step, her boot moving through a pile of leaf debris.

Click.

Suddenly, Parker’s full weight hit her.

They flew through the air and hit the ground.

Boom.

Dirt and leaves rained over them.

“Oh God.” Her heart thundered in her chest.

Park rolled them.

“Jenna, are you okay?” With a worried look on his face, he sat up, patting down her body.

“I’m okay.” She tried to get her pulse to calm down.

“You sure?” He kept patting, a dark look in his eyes.

“Park.” She cupped his scarred cheek. “I’m okay.”

His gaze met hers and her chest locked. So dark, so tortured.

She leaned forward and kissed him.

He made a sound, then cupped her head, and took control of the kiss. It was hard, forceful. Jenna poured herself into it, wanting to comfort him.

When they broke apart, the sound of their raspy breathing filled her ears. He pressed his forehead to hers.

“That was a booby-trap,” she said. “Like the ones at the Hoskins’ place.”

“Yeah. Olson mustn’t be far away. This was a warning. It lets him know if anyone’s close.”

She stiffened. “He’ll be coming.”

“Or running from us.” Park helped her up. “We’ll have to move cautiously. There could be more booby-traps.”

She nodded and looked at the trees. She registered a glint in the shadows under one large spruce.

Adrenaline hit her, and she rammed her shoulder into Park.