Page 13 of Auctioned to the Devil

“Call it advice.”

“Still didn’t ask.”

“Still giving it.”

I walk past her toward the trail.

She follows me. “So that’s it?” she asks. “Wrong boots, bears, bad foundation, don’t trust Richard Sloan?”

“Good start.”

“You forgot to tell me not to talk to strangers.”

I glance down at her. “You shouldn’t.”

She smiles.

Fuck.

She’s pretty when she’s irritated.

She’s prettier when she smiles.

“What exactly do you do up here?” she asks.

“Work.”

“Very informative.”

“Search and Rescue when they need me. Trail maintenance. Wildlife calls.”

“And the rest of the time?”

“I like being left alone.”

“I’m shocked.”

I almost smile again.

We reach the fork where her trail heads back toward the lodge and mine climbs toward the ridge.

I stop.

“So what’s with the Devil thing?” she asks.

My eyes settle on hers. “Sally talks too much.”

“She made it sound mysterious.”

“It’s not.”

“Then tell me.”

“No.”

Her smile widens. “Definitely mysterious.”

“Go back to town, Emily.”