Page 15 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)

BEAU

“Can you zoom in on that picture?" I asked excitedly.

Jake had been brimming with excitement when I walked in the door for lunch.

His smile and enthusiasm were infectious, filling my chest with warmth.

I could have sat there next to him all afternoon, shoulder to shoulder, even if the photos turned out to be the worst ever taken.

Just being near him, feeling the slight touch, was enough.

"Sure," Jake responded, pulling up a photo of a tree with the others behind it blurred in the background.

"I really like this one. It captures the perfect tree in the front, the sapphire blue sky above, and the rest of the trees are beautifully blurred into the background.

Once I get the hang of the new laptop, a few touch-ups and maybe a filter will make this image pop. "

I agreed with Jake wholeheartedly. It was indeed a great picture that showcased the natural beauty of the tree.

However, there was something in the blurred background that caught my attention—an odd shadow.

It blended with the other shadows, yet it seemed out of place.

I couldn't help but stare at it. Could it have been the silhouette of a human figure?

"You're right, it's a fantastic picture. When did you take it?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yesterday, early afternoon. While Will was working on my car. It's the line of trees just past the clearing."

"Can you zoom in on that part of the picture?" I pointed at the screen, indicating the area where the unusual shadow appeared. My mind raced back to yesterday when I was in the woods, following tracks. However, I had been closer to the greenhouse at that time.

"Sure," Jake zoomed in on the computer screen. "I noticed that odd lighting there, but I figured I could touch it up."

I silently stared at that blemish in the photo, feeling Jake's gaze on me. "Does it look like a person peeking out from behind a tree?" I finally asked, unable to contain my growing concern.

Jake snapped his head back towards the computer screen, adjusting his glasses. "I can see that, maybe. I assumed it was just a shadow from one of the trees."

My eyes remained glued to the screen. Perhaps it was just my imagination.

But considering I had been tracking footprints yesterday, an unsettling feeling washed over me.

I didn't want to dampen Jake's excitement or his good mood.

"You're right. Maybe it could be a bear.

They're common in these parts. Although we haven't had any on the property for years," I replied, although I didn't think it actually resembled a bear.

"Oh, yeah. Will mentioned that I might encounter some interesting things in the woods here."

"He did, did he?" I couldn't help but smile.

Will always had a knack for teasing. I should have expected him to drop hints about the mysteries of the woods.

"Well, it's not Seattle. We do have a lot of wildlife here.

While predators are rare on the farm, it's not unheard of.

Just be careful if you're out and about, especially since you're not familiar with the lay of the land.

" I got up and walked around the dining room table, picking up a bag from Best Buy I had brought in last night.

From it, I pulled out three trail cameras.

"I got these to set up because I think I saw some wolf tracks out there yesterday.

But wolves haven't been in this area since the 1920s. "

Jake’s eyes lit up as he spoke. “How cool would it be to capture a picture of a wolf and include it on the website? Especially if it was the first confirmed one in the area in so long. I’m thinking of creating a whole section dedicated to local wildlife conservation.

We could set up a presence on social media and share our sightings and any new wildlife we spot. ”

His excitement was contagious—but all I could think about was that someone might be watching us.

I wanted to match his energy, to feed off that spark he had—but instead, my gut twisted. That prickling sense of being watched hadn’t gone away, and the idea of Jake wandering around with a camera while something—or someone —lurked nearby had every instinct in me on edge.

“You’re doing great,” I said, forcing a smile. “And I’m looking forward to sitting next to you tonight.”

I picked up the trail cameras, my jaw tightening. “I’m gonna get these set up now. Hopefully we’ll catch something on them. Before... whatever it is moves on.”

I didn’t say the word if . Didn’t want to scare him. But the truth was, I wasn’t convinced whatever was out there had plans to leave anytime soon.

"Okay. I might go out and take some more photos before dinner. Don't worry, I'll stay close," Jake reassured me when he noticed the concerned look on my face.

He picked up his camera and walked around the dining room table, where I was unboxing the trail cameras and loading batteries into them. He got close, leaning in with a hand on my shoulder, and kissed me on the cheek.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Whoa! I dropped a battery onto the table, the clattering sound interrupting the moment. Jake had kissed me, not prompted or expected. It was his own choice. I looked at him, a smile automatically spreading across my face.

"No, thank you ."

"Be home for dinner?" Jake bounced on the balls of his feet, unable to contain his excitement.

"I wouldn't miss it. "

Jake chuckled and bounded out of the room, through the back door. I sat there for a moment, still wearing a smile, savoring the scent that he had left behind in the room.

A few minutes passed, and I shook myself out of the daze. That kiss just amplified my protective instincts through the roof. I quickly assembled the cameras and headed out the door towards the barn where the ATV was stowed. I needed to install those cameras.

Let's see who was messing with us.