spruce lined one edge of the lake. On the other side, cerise buds scattered like confetti across the branches of white-barked trees. “It’s gorgeous here.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
She looked up at him and that amazing smile was back. The blue eyes were watching her again, but now they seemed friendly. It was obvious that Leith was in his element. Sabrina realized she was still holding his hand, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to let go. After a pause, Tal pushed between them and the spell was broken. Sabrina dropped his hand, rubbing along Tal’s head to cover her sudden awkwardness.
“It’s almost worth the climb.”
Leith raised an eyebrow. “Almost?”
Sabrina sucked in another deep breath. “Totally worth the climb. Just maybe not while carrying another fourth of a person.”
He laughed. “You did well.” He jumped down from the rock and she followed. “It will be easier going downhill. We’d better get started if we’re going to cook in camp today. By the way, I brought supplies to make chili. Is that okay with you? I should have asked if you eat meat.”
“I love chili.”
“With kidney beans?”
She grinned. “You trust me with a can of beans?”
“Absolutely. I figure that lesson is one you’ll never forget.”
“You’re right about that. I just wish it hadn’t been such a public lesson. I’m afraid Walter and the others will never forget it, either.”
“Don’t worry about it. Someday, it will be one of those funny stories they tell each other about how they knew you before you were a big shot.”
“You really think so?”
“Why not? You say you’re willing to do the work. You’ve lined me up to teach you the skills you need, which shows excellent judgment. How can you lose?”
“Too bad Walter can never know about my excellent choice of instructors.”
“You can impress him in other ways. Maybe volunteer to staff the Orson Outfitters’ sponsor table at one of the events this summer.”
“Great idea. Thanks for the suggestion.”
“No extra charge. Let’s go.” He set a brisk pace on the return trip, but as he’d said, it was easier going downhill.
Once they reached the parking lot, they dumped their backpacks into his car and Leith drove to the campground. “Since we’re not staying overnight, I could take us to a picnic area for the practice camp, but I want to show you how to build a fire, and they’re only allowed in designated campsites.”
Only four of the campsites were occupied, three with giant RVs parked and one with a tent. Leith drove away from the others and stopped at an isolated spot near the lake. He got out of the car, so Sabrina followed him. His gaze swept the campsite and then he turned toward her. “What do you think of this spot?”
Sabrina looked around. A metal picnic table was chained to concrete sunk into the ground. Beside a gurgling creek was a flat place under some trees where she assumed the tent would go. A round metal firepit sat in the clearing, with an unobstructed view of the lake. “It’s beautiful. But I can tell by that little crinkle in the corner of your eye there’s something I’m supposed to notice.”
He laughed. “You’re good.”
“Not good enough to figure out the problem with this campsite.”
He nodded toward the creek. “Today, there’s no problem. But if this warm weather keeps up, the water coming off the glacier will cause the creek to rise, and you might wake up in the middle of the night with the creek running through your tent. In a public campground like this, the host will probably put up a sign not to camp here, but it’s something to keep in mind for wilderness camping.”
“Wilderness camping? Is that out in the open without designated campsites?”
“Exactly. But today, this will work just fine. I’ll go back to the gate to check us in, and we can get started.”
Sabrina insisted on paying the ten-dollar camping fee. Leith protested, but they were using Leith’s gas and Leith’s food even though this was all for her benefit. She filled out an envelope, enclosed two fives and dropped it in a slot in a post beside the campground sign. A handwritten note on the bulletin board warned that someone had spotted a wolf in the area and to keep your dogs and children close, so the wolf must have tracked through the campground after leaving the parking lot.
She returned to the campsite, where Leith had stacked an armload of wood beside the fire ring. Tal wagged her tail and whined at Sabrina, clearly upset to be tied to a tree. Sabrina hurried over to stroke her head. “Does she have to be tied up?”
“I’m afraid so.” Leith gave the dog a pat. “She’s pretty good about staying close, but in case she spots a squirrel or something, I don’t want her wandering off with that wolf around. Come on. Our first lesson is fire building.” He handed her a bucket. “Go fill this with water from the creek.”
Was he kidding? “Water. To make a fire.”
“Never start a fire unless you have the equipment ready to put it out. Safety first.”
“Oh, I get it.” She filled the bucket and wrestled it back to camp, while he watched. He could have helped. On the other hand, she was supposed to be learning to camp independently, and lifting buckets of water was probably good arm-toning.
When she got to the edge of the fire ring, he did take it from her and set it against a log. “Ready to learn how to build a fire?”
“One second.” Sabrina closed her eyes and took in an exaggerated breath. “I’m unleashing my inner pyromaniac.” She opened her eyes. “I’m ready.”
Leith didn’t laugh but his mouth twitched. “Good thing I brought a fire extinguisher and first-aid supplies.” He nodded toward a large canvas case with a red cross on the front.
“I’ll try to keep it under control. Okay, how does this work?”
Leith took a knife from his pocket and showed her how to create kindling from a branch. She was surprised to discover that fires were literally built; she’d always assumed it was a figure of speech. But Leith showed her how to create an intricate arrangement of tinder, kindling, twigs, sticks and then logs with spaces in between for air circulation. “Now you just need to strike a match.”
“Where do you keep the matches?”
“You didn’t bring matches?” Leith raised his eyebrows as though it was a serious question, but the laughter in his eyes gave him away.
“I guess I missed it on the invisible supply list you gave me. Do you have any matches, survival guy?”
“Why, as a matter of fact, I do.” Leith reached into his pocket. “In fact, I have two matchboxes, so one must be yours.” He handed her an orange plastic cylinder. “Don’t go into the wilderness without it.”
The
