Page 72 of This Blood That Binds Us

“Uh oh, maybe we should go around.” I peered down the bank. “I bet if we head down it, it won’t be as rough.”

“Nonsense.” Aaron rushed toward me, and I found myself suspended in the air. He grabbed my legs and pulled me to his back. I had no choice but to hold on to his neck.

“Is this necessary?”

He was steady as he waded into the rushing water. The cool water splashed up and hit my exposed legs, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Probably not.” He chuckled.

The atmosphere was still and tranquil in the wake of the setting sun, the sound of the water peaceful and smooth.

He was right. It was easier. My body relaxed into his, and every muscle melted in his warmth. The soft breeze broughta whiff of his mint shampoo to my nostrils. It wasn’t an uncomfortable place to be.

Soon, we made it to the campsite. Aaron helped me unpack everything and set up the tent. He cooked me some hot dogs and cracked jokes. I wrapped a blanket around me as we settled by the fire.The fire lit up his face in a warm glow that complimented his eyes.

“Ahhh, nice, warm fire. One might say it’s a little romantic.” Aaron rested his back against a tree stump.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s what you say to every girl by the fireside.” I raised my eyebrows, taunting.

“Oh, please, you’re exaggerating my skill with the ladies. Plus...I’m not putting ‘the moves’ on you. I’m just stating a fact.”

My face felt hot, and I blamed it on the fire. “Ouch. I’m not good enough to put moves on?”

Aaron sat up. “Woah, woah, woah. That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want you to see me as some creep.”

“Well, I don’t think you’re creepy.. .I’m happy you’re here.”

His eyes twinkled in the shadow of the fire. “Wow, someone’s feeling open today. I’m happy, too. You’re fun to hang out with. Kind of a stubborn pain in the ass sometimes—but fun.”

I was convinced every word Aaron spoke was true. Even his jokes had a level of truth, which was rare in a person.

I leaned back and listened to the sounds of bugs chirping in the night. Our silence wasn’t hollow. A warm feeling surged in my chest. It was calm, yet exhilarating. A sense of familiarity came with the smell of the pine. Warm. Comfortable. Happy.

“What are you thinking about?” Aaron’s gaze was heavy with curiosity.

“I think...this is as close to home as I’ve ever felt.”

My heart skipped a beat at the thought. The moment was perfect, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. I had been out there so many times before. What made this time so special?

“Does this include me?” He narrowed his eyebrows expectedly.

“Yeah, I think it does.”

The smoke twirled up and disappeared into the night sky above us. I inhaled the smell of burning wood and savored it.

Aaron spoke again. “Have you ever had anyone hike with you? Did any of your foster families take you?”

“Chris used to come with me sometimes, but no one has ever enjoyed hiking as much as I do. Some of my foster families brought me with them, but you’d be surprised how many take in kids but exclude them from the rest of the family.”

“They excluded you? I find that hard to believe. You’re like the most perfect rule follower I know.”

“I wasn’t always that way. I was put in a lot of homes when I was younger, but they weren’t good. One of them even accused me of stealing. Which I didn’t.”

“Jesus, that’s harsh. Do you have any good memories of it?”

“There are a few...Once, when I was around maybe ten years old, I got put into a home with another little girl my age. Her name was Dusty, and she was like a sister to me. Probably the closest I ever got to feeling like I had a sibling. I stayed with them for a little more than a year. We still write to each other sometimes.”

“Wow, maybe she can come and visit, orrrr you could go visit her. Hey! We could go on a trip! It would be fun.”