“Drew! Wake up! I think there’s a grizzly out there!”

He sits straight up in the tent and his head wobbles around like one of those old timey bobble headed dolls. I think he’s still asleep. So I grab his arm and shake him.

“Waaakkkeee uppppp! There’s a bear out there!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Something is trying to eat us alive!”

One hand rubs his eyes. “Jesus. Cate, nothing is out there, other than pesky raccoons or maybe skunks.”

“SKUNKS! WHAT THE HELL!”

Immediately, I scramble for the tent exit. Only there’s a problem. I’m still zipped in my sleeping bag, and it’s one of those mummy styles that narrow at the feet. In my crazed state, I try to stand, but end up taking a three-inch step and face plant in the dirt right outside the entrance to the tent. Now, I’m frantically trying to get up and run from the so-called grizzly bear or skunks that threaten to eat or stink me to death. My arms flail and I can’t do anything because of the stupid sleeping bag. Two arms grab me and haul me backward into the tent. I’m a mermaid out of water, wrapped in downy fluff, thrashing around like a madwoman. That is until a strong and sexy body traps me under it, grabs my chin, and plants a searing hot kiss on my lips. Heat replaces panic, and my arms stop flailing and find their way around his neck, fingers winding into his thick waves. What’s that mewling? It’s only after he lifts his mouth off mine that I realize it’s me.

“Much better,” he says. “There is no bear, sweetheart. You’re perfectly safe in here with me. What do I need to do to prove it to you?”

“I-I don’t know. I’m really scared.”

“I know and I don’t want you to be. Let’s have a look around outside. Would that make you feel better?”

“Maybe,” I say, my voice squeaking.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

We get out of our sleeping bags, put our shoes on, and he grabs the flashlight. Then he does a thorough inspection outside of the tent and we don’t find a single thing. He turns to me, tucks a tendril of hair behind my ear, and says, “Honey, this is their home. The little creatures live here in the woods. Many of them come out at night to eat. They live on plants and things. They won’t hurt you, I promise. Sometimes they make noises when they feed and it sounds like they’re growling, but they’re not. They’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Would you be afraid of a rabbit if you saw one?”

“No.”

“Then you need not be afraid of these, either.”

“But a skunk?”

“Won’t bother you unless you threaten it.”

I hang my head, feeling rather idiotic.

He puts a finger under my chin, saying, “Hey, you didn’t know. This is your first time out here. It’s okay. Let’s go back to bed.” He takes my hand and I feel comforted, and not chastised. Wrapped in his arms, I fall into a deep hard sleep. By morning, I wake up surprisingly refreshed.

My stomach lets out the biggest roar and Drew chuckles in response. “I guess that’s my wake up call. Time to feed my girl.”

“Are you going to cook again?”

“Oh, yeah. You are getting the full camping breakfast.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I feel pampered but bad that he’s doing all the work.

He looks at me earnestly. “You can tell me you’re having a good time?”

“Last night freaked me out, but I’m honestly having a good time with you.”

He smiles, then proceeds to make coffee, bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

“I can’t believe you did all this.” I say around a mouthful of pancakes in syrup. “It’s so good.”

“Eagle Scout.” That grin of his makes me want to kiss him.

I shake my head at him. Then I say, “Thank you for putting up with me last night. I guess that’s what you meant when you asked me if I was squeamish.”

“Sort of. That, and if you minded getting dirty.” He reaches over and wipes my chin. “Just a bit of syrup you got going there.”

“Jeez. First the marshmallow, and now this.”

“You look cute with stuff all over your face.”

“Just what a girl wants to hear.”

“Okay. How’s this? You’re sexy enough to lick, Cate.”

Oh, boy. “And will you follow through with that?”

Asking wasn’t necessary. Drew always follows through. He scoops me up and zips us back into the tent. Later that morning, we pack up and head home. Well, head back to my home. Once there, Drew walks me to my apartment. He sets my bag down and holds my hand.

“All week I look forward to our weekends together. I had a great time.”

I fall head first into his blue irises. “I did too. Peed-on unders and animal noises excluded. I’m sorry it’s over.”

“I didn’t mind either of them.” He pushes strands of wayward hair behind my ear before cupping the back of my head to kiss me. This time the kiss is slow and I feel something tighten within me. And it isn’t just my hormones. I feel it in my chest. This man has turned out to be everything I never thought I could have. As the emotions well up I feel something pool in my eyes.

When he pulls back to look at me, his expression turns into concern.

“What’s wrong, Cate?”

I shake my head afraid of what I might be beginning to feel. “Nothing. I think something got in my eye.” I’m not lying—the unshed tears still burn there.

His eyes focus on me and I smile. He leans in and blows across my eyes. “Better?”

I blink back the tears and nod. “I’m going to miss you. I wish you lived closer.”

“I’m going to miss you too, my camping girl.” He licks his lips and pauses as if he wanted to say more. “Next weekend?”

I nod, not strong enough to admit I’m falling hard for him. I can only hope that if he doesn’t feel the same, I don’t break when I hit bottom. He presses a sweet final kiss to my lips before he turns to leave.

“Next weekend,” I say more to myself as he walks away.

ROLLING OVER IN BED, I encounter a wall of pillows.

“Hey,” Jenna’s says, her head popping up on the other side of the wall. “I’m not ready to get up.”

Her whine makes me smile because I’ve missed this girl so much. Only my grin turns into a frown as my head throbs. I can’t remember how much wine we consumed last night. My confusion doesn’t stop the playful jab that comes from my mouth.

“You talk in your sleep. You know that?”

“I do? What did I say?” she asks anxiously.

“Something about Brandon.”

Her faces lights up. “Don’t mention that name when we meet Kenneth tonight.”

“Who’s Kenneth?” My nose wrinkles up.

She waves a hand in the air as she falls behind the pillows to hide herself. “I met him at the country club a few months ago. I don’t get to see him often. He lives here most of the year, but his family home is in Charleston.”

“You haven’t told me about him.”

She doesn’t come up to face me. “You know. It hasn’t been serious, just a few hook ups. I think he’s smitten with me. He comes from all the right stock. Still…”

I decide not to press her. She hasn’t mentioned him before, but I’ll trust what she tells me.

“You kick, you know? That’s why I have these pillows here.”

“I do not,” I whine.

“You do too. I swear I might have been better off on the couch. At least I wouldn’t be black and blue.”

I almost believe her until she bursts out laughing. I toss a pillow at her.

“It would be stupid for one of us to sleep on the couch when I have this queen-sized bed.” I push up to my feet, not really ready to get up for the day.

Our conversation, like my brain this morning, drifts from topic to topic.

“If you wear those to bed, I know now why you aren’t getting laid.”

I glance down at my oversized tee-shirt and fuzzy sleep pants with tiny pigs printed all over them.

“What’s wrong with pigs?” I ask.

She sits up and as I make my way toward the door to go to the bathroom, I add, “Ducks aren’t any better.”