Page 45 of Back in the Saddle

Caroline clapped slowly. ‘Woah, that’s what I’m talking about! How are you feeling?’

‘Free,’ he whispered, as that was all he could manage.

They looked at each other, an understanding and something deeper passing between them.

The knowledge that whatever flicker of attraction brought the first spark, if they weren’t careful, they were going to go up in flames.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Caroline

Caroline looked away first. Screaming at the top of her lungs into the crowns of the trees hadn’t wiped out some things completely.

The guilt, from how far she’d let things get yesterday.

The shame, because she wanted more.

And so many more indistinguishable swatches of emotion swirling around in the pit of her stomach.

‘We should get going if we want to be back in the A/C before it gets sweltering,’ she said.

Hunter nodded, wordlessly rejoining the trail.

She followed him, dozens of thoughts fighting for space at the forefront of her mind. When he’d brought up the stolen wedding bands stashed away in caves, her heart momentarily froze. It only took a second. An internal gasp, followed by reminding herself things between her and Finn were done. That they were both going to be fine, although separate.

But it had reminded her about the explanation she owed Hunter. Despite her best efforts, she hadn’t forgotten it. She had tried to push it off, told herself she would wait for the right moment. Then she realised that such a moment didn’t exist.

She needed to tell him before they got back into their respective cars and set on the road, blasting the A/C and radios.

‘Here we are. The Robbers Cave,’ he announced.

Caroline halted. She wasn’t really looking where she was going and almost walked into his back. ‘Can we go inside?’ she asked, collecting herself.

‘Sure, if you’re brave enough.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

Hunter’s eyes crinkled. ‘Some people say that the ghosts of the robber from 1870, Lanky George, haunts the cave. He likes to search for jewellery and steal it, ripping necklaces and earrings off people’s necks. A couple of years ago, a woman from Arkansas claimed she had lost a chunk of her earlobe.’

Caroline snorted. ‘Lanky George, really?’

Hunter shrugged in mock helplessness. ‘I didn’t come up with the name.’

‘I’m going in. You can stay outside, if you’re scared.’

She walked around a thick tree trunk, marching up to the cave’s entrance. Inside, she blinked, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden loss of sunlight.

Goosebumps erupted all over her bare arms. She hugged them to her chest, guarding off an unexpected shiver. She walked a bit further, then rested her back against the cool surface of the rock.

‘I didn’t think you’d actually be scared, it was a joke,’ she called out, a smile playing on her lips.

‘I’m not scared of Lanky George.’ A twig snapped undera heavy boot and Hunter cautiously stepped inside the cave. ‘But what’s that, is your left earring missing?’

Caroline’s hand flew up. She touched her pearl stud, which was, of course, still there.

Hunter laughed. ‘Got you.’ He crossed his arms as he leaned over the rock next to her.

Caroline’s consciousness prickled with the awareness of his body. It was so strange. Surely if this is how her body reacted to another person, it would’ve happened before, right?