Every Vow She Breaks (5 page)

“What the hell!” Claire stomped on the brakes and prayed as the SUV skidded to a stop inches from an old van parked smack in the middle of the track. Heart pounding, she threw open the door and jumped off the seat, landing on the ground with a thump.

“Hello! Ever hear of pulling off the road?”

No one answered. Gritting her teeth, she strode to the open driver’s side window and glanced inside. A lumpy looking mattress heaped with clothes filled most of the cargo space. Empty fast food containers were piled on the passenger side floor, while a stack of notebooks and folders graced the seat. At least the keys were in the ignition. She’d move the damned thing herself if she had to.

Something crashed through the dense underbrush.

“What in the world….” Hand pressed to her chest, she spun around and flattened against the door. The breath left her in a whoosh when a man—not a bear—emerged from the trees.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone else would be on this road.”

The speaker rounded the front of Jed’s SUV and stepped fully into view.

Claire’s jaw sagged. “Preston?”

“Oh, my God, Claire?”

A grin spread as she studied warm brown eyes and a broad mouth beneath a mop of auburn hair. As tall and gangly as she remembered, Preston Meyer rushed forward, stumbling over his own feet, to take her hand and squeeze it.

“This is great! What has it been, ten years since I last saw you?”

Claire nodded, flexing her fingers when he released them. “Yep, ten years ago this month I left
Nature Exposed
.” She drew in a breath. “Are you the paparazzi Lee Harper mentioned?”

“Guilty.” He laughed. “Hey, this could be my breakout story.”

“Speaking of break, did you mess with one of their cameras last night?”

He reared back and frowned. “No, why would I do that? I’ve just been hanging around, hoping to be in the right place at the right time when they find a Bigfoot. What’re you doing here?”

“Writing a story. Only difference is, I have an official invite.”

His comical mouth drooped for a moment before curling upward. “Not a problem. I thrive on competition. Let the better man—or woman—win.”

“You don’t intend to leave as they requested?”

“Hell, no! Would you?”

She lifted a shoulder. “Maybe not.” Stepping past him, she walked to the SUV and pulled open the door. “It’s good to see you again, Preston, but I need to get going.” She pointed toward the van. “Do you mind?”

“Oh, of course not. I’ll get out of your way.”

“Thanks. I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again before either of us has enough pictures for a story.”

“I’m sure we will.” The van door creaked open, and he climbed in before slamming it shut. “See you around, Claire.”

She nodded then squeezed the SUV past his old clunker after he backed to the edge of the road. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, he was standing on the track, arms crossed over his chest, a smile curving his lips.

The same old Preston. Ever the comedian. Always ready to cheer her up when she was down. His positive attitude had bucked her up on more than one occasion after her brief engagement to a co-worker ended, leaving her miserable and alone. It wasn’t a time in her life she liked to think about.

At least some people hadn’t changed.

When his SUV rolled into the campground, Jed’s spirits lifted. Not that there was anything wrong with his mood. After a five-mile hike with Scoop, he was warmed up and ready for whatever the afternoon might bring. If it brought Claire along for company, even better.

After parking next to the motor home, she opened the door and slid down from the seat then braced herself as the dog galloped toward her. His front paws hit her chest, knocking her back against the hood as he licked her face.

“Yes, I love you, too, but get down.” With a shove, she pushed her pet away then glanced toward Jed. “Apparently he thought I’d left him with you for good.”

“I’m surprised he still has so much energy. He collapsed after our morning hike.”

“Scoop only looks slothful. In reality, he has more stamina than the two of us combined.” Her voice held an edge, and the sparkle was gone from her eyes.

When she approached, he slung an arm over her shoulders to squeeze then held on, enjoying the feel of her slim body tucked against his side. “How’d it go with the scientists?”

She relaxed into him for a moment before straightening to pull away. “Remember how we joked about Ian being a part of that group?”

“Your ex? Seriously?” At her nod, he whistled. “Wow. How awkward was the reunion?”

“I suppose it could have been worse. He doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge, but he’s changed.” She dropped into one of the camp chairs by the fire pit. “I’ll admit it shook me.”

“Balding? Pot belly? What?”

A smile tilted her lips. “If only. No, attitude. My guess is a few too many people have made fun of his Bigfoot fetish over the years. Guarded and sullen sum up his disposition.”

He leaned against the picnic table. “That’s a relief. You won’t be tempted to dump me for a grouch.”

The grin flashed again, and he gave himself a mental pat on the back for cheering her up.

“No, I won’t be the least bit tempted, but I did run into someone out in the woods who rivals you in the sunny outlook department.”

“A happy-go-lucky Bigfoot?”

The last of the melancholy faded from her eyes with his teasing.

“I wish. Actually, someone I used to work with. Preston was a friend of mine when I was on staff at
Nature Exposed
.”

“Hey, I’ve seen that magazine in the checkout line of the grocery store. Isn’t it one of those sensationalized papers full of half-truths?”

She nodded. “Actually, it makes sense that someone from their staff would show up, since news of the Bigfoot sighting has spread. This is exactly the kind of story they like to twist into a major news event, ranking right up there with UFO sightings or reports of mermaids. They don’t worry much about relating the actual facts. God, I hated working for that rag.”

He studied her clouded eyes. “I bet, but you moved on.”

“The minute I was offered something better. I guess Preston wasn’t as lucky. We lost touch after I quit.”

“So he’s out here hoping for a career-boosting story?”

“Yes, except the group has made it clear they want nothing to do with him. My old pal, however, is undeterred.”

“That positive attitude you mentioned?”

“Or just plain dumb stubborn. Take your pick. Oh, if you care to join me, I asked if I could bring a friend along on an all-day outing planned for the day after tomorrow.”

Crossing his arms, he stepped away from the table and leaned back on his heels. “I wouldn’t miss it. Please tell me we’ll be hunting down and trapping a Bigfoot.”

“I hate to burst your bubble, but the group plans to set up cameras and trip wires deeper into the forest. Their immediate goal is to capture a Sasquatch on film.”

“Not quite as exciting but still cool. Thanks for including me.” He nodded toward the dog stretched out at her feet. “What about your friend there?”

She closed her eyes. “Crap. I forgot to ask. I guess I’ll bring him with us. We can always leave him in the car if they don’t want a dog roaming around in their research area.”

“He does tend to dive into the underbrush every time he sees a squirrel, and he isn’t exactly quiet about it.”

“He’s a total pain sometimes.” She pushed up out of the chair. “Have you had lunch yet?”

“No, my food’s in a cooler in the back of the SUV.”

“You could have raided my refrigerator.”

“Except you locked the motor home and took the keys.”

She paused to press a hand to her forehead. “Sorry. I’m so used to being on my own, I didn’t think.”

“Don’t sweat it, Claire. I survived. We’ll eat then go do something fun. Sounds like you have a couple of days to play before work intrudes.”

“I’ll spend them photographing the area.” She unlocked the door to the motor home and stepped inside. “Lunch is on me. I can offer ham, tuna or peanut butter. Take your pick.”

He followed her inside, sat and squeezed his knees beneath the miniscule table. “Ham. Can’t you photograph and have fun at the same time?”

“You bet. Want to hike in the woods with me this afternoon, or have you had enough exercise for one day?”

He leaned into the corner, his focus on her upended behind as she pulled bread from a lower cabinet. Tearing his gaze away, he cleared his throat. “Do I look like a wimp?”

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “No, you’re definitely not wimpy.”

“Now that we’ve cleared that up, where do you want to hike?”

“There’s a great trail a few miles northeast of here with some spectacular old-growth trees. Since the whole Bigfoot thing is probably going to be a bust, my main focus is on getting some striking photos of the redwoods. I can salvage a story about the area based on scenery alone.”

“Makes sense.” He glanced out the window. “The morning fog is finally starting to lift.”

“Should be a terrific afternoon.” She set a plate topped by a sandwich bristling with lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts in front of him. “Sorry I don’t have any chips to offer you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Wouldn’t want to clutter up your cupboard space with fat and salt.”

Dropping onto the opposite seat, she grinned. “You know me so well already. Eat, and then we’ll go. Daylight’s burning.”

An hour later they left the SUV in a parking area and headed up the marked trail with Scoop leading the way. Waist-high ferns lined a path so thick with needles their footsteps were silent, while high overhead moss hung from branches like a lacy green curtain, dimming the sunlight. Claire paused frequently, shooting off pictures in rapid-fire succession.

Turning, she smiled up at him. “I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoyed living in this area. There’s nowhere else like it for eerie beauty.”

“Today’s nice, but the usual rain and fog might get old after a while.”

She shrugged. “I’m not particularly fond of the heat, so I don’t mind cooler temperatures.” She stopped in a shaft of filtered sunlight to gaze upward, her eyes filled with wonder. “You’ve lived in the mountains for years. Aren’t you tempted to try someplace different?”

“Not really. I’m happy with my life the way it is.”

She let out a little sigh. “I want that. I want to find a place where I belong and settle down. Most of my friends are married with children.” Her lips curved downward. “I guess I’m feeling the pull of domesticity.”

“You have plenty of time.”

She frowned. “Do I? I’m thirty-four. The clock’s ticking.”

When Scoop dropped a dead branch at his feet, Jed bent to retrieve it before giving the limb a hard toss. The dog leaped into the underbrush.

“You don’t see the whole traditional family thing as a trap that’ll eventually suck all the fun out of life?”

She turned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you?”

He shrugged. “My work doesn’t pay a lot. The idea of being forced into the nine-to-five grind to support a family is about as appealing as a lobotomy.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

He grinned. “Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. Some people thrive in that environment. My brother is completely happy with his new responsibilities as a stepdad.”

“Seems like the two of you had plenty in common when you were boys. Kane was always outside doing something right alongside you.”

Jed threw the stick again for the mutt. “True, but he was more serious about everything, from school and sports to a career in law enforcement. He needed to excel. I just wanted to have fun.”

“If it makes you happy…” She raised the camera and aimed skyward into the canopy.

“It does.”
Doesn’t it?
For the first time since he’d dropped out of college an eternity ago, doubt about his choices niggled. Of course he was happy. A little lonely on occasion, but wasn’t everyone?

“I’m losing the light.”

“Huh?” He jerked to attention.

“The fog’s creeping back in. We might as well turn around.” Lifting the camera from around her neck, she returned it to its case in her backpack.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Neither said much as they headed down the path. When Claire tripped on an exposed root, he lunged forward, grasped her around the waist and hauled her upright, slamming her against his chest. The floral scent of her shampoo invaded his senses, and he breathed deep.

“Thanks.” Her voice was breathless. “I almost took a header. That’ll teach me to pay more attention…”

When she turned in his arms, he relaxed his hold, but not by much. His blood heated as he met her gaze. Her breath fanned his neck on an exhaled gust as she stared back through wide eyes. His fingers tightened at her waist.

“You okay?” At her nod, he dipped his head. “Good.”

He gave her time to pull away, hesitated for a fraction of a second before pressing his mouth to hers. When a tiny noise not unlike the purring of a kitten escaped her lips, the remainder of his self-control vanished. One hand hovered then clasped the seat of her jeans to cup the enticing firmness beneath as he tugged her tight against him to settle into the kiss. She tasted of fresh air and woman, bringing his heated blood to a boil. His body’s reaction was instantaneous. Brain cells scattered with the temptation of soft, warm female.

She pulled back, dragging her mouth away from his. “Jed?”

His lips caressed the angle of her jaw then dropped to the soft skin beneath her ear. “Hmmm?”

“We can’t do this.”

“Kiss? Why not?”

She quivered when he flicked his tongue against the side of her neck.

“Feels like you want to do more than just kiss.”

Finally, he drew back. Blue eyes held a touch of panic mixed with desire above cheeks blooming with color. Letting out a long breath, he gave her a few more inches of space but didn’t release her completely.

“There’s a big difference between wanting and doing. Should I apologize?”

“No, I think we’ve both anticipated that kiss since we ran into each other in the diner yesterday. Doesn’t mean I’m going to take things to the next level.”