“This is one of our traditions with new campers,” Reyes said. “Who here knows how to build a campfire properly?”
Levi resisted raising his hand, curious about the other guests. Miles looked like he was trying to hide a smirk.
Faith’s hand shot right into the air and she bounced on her toes. “I’ve been watching videos online to learn. I know.”
“All right, Miss,” Reyes replied. “How about you build it and I’ll light it for you?”
“Okay.”
Reyes handed her a wad of newspaper, and Faith quickly began to build it, using the paper and some dry grass as the tinder, smaller sticks for the kindling, constructing a textbook perfect pyramid of sticks that got bigger with each layer she added. The largest of the logs were left for later, once the fire really got blazing.
“Very good job,” Reyes said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Faith scooted back, and Reyes used a barbecue lighter to catch the tinder. It began to burn and grow, until soon a crackling fire warmed the chilly winter air and heated Levi’s face and bare hands.
Hugo got a big, cast-iron pot situated over the fire and heated up bean and beef chili. After traveling all over the country, and especially the south, for most of his life, Levi had tried and appreciated a lot of different chili over the years. Texas-style meat only. Blow-your-head-off spicy and sweet, mild, smoky versions. Beans and meat. Even a few vegetarian chilies. But he definitely ranked Patrice’s at the top of the list. Reyes toasted up crusty bread over the fire, and it was the perfect accompaniment to the meal.
All Levi needed to make it outstanding was a beer. But—out camping or not—he also didn’t drink anymore for very good reasons.
After everything was cleaned in the creek and stored away in the wagon, Hugo brought out a few decks of cards and a box of matches for betting. Levi was pretty good at poker but he didn’t like to gamble anymore, not even for matchsticks, so he wandered a bit, looking up at the beauty of the star-filled sky. Admiring the gorgeous sight he was blessed to sleep beneath tonight.
“Thank you for this moment,” he whispered. “Thank you for your beauty.”
He swore one of the stars winked.
“Do you know any constellations?” George asked, his soft voice a pleasant sound on the night air. He stopped an arm’s reach from Levi, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets.
“A few. Columba is one of my favorites. It means dove, and it’s named for the mythical dove that Noah sent from the ark during the great flood to search for land. The dove brought back an olive branch and hope. It’s hard to see from here but—” Levi pointed “—it should be right about there.”
George’s gaze followed his direction. “I never used to notice the stars. But I grew up in the city and with all the light pollution, stars were things you saw in movies, not real life. This sky is incredible. I really wish Orry was here to see it, because no picture I take on my phone will ever capture the true glory of it.”
“You’re right. Pictures can capture moments in time but they can’t often capture the emotion of the experience. Only the human heart can do that.”
“You know, you could probably make extra money writing poetry and inspirational quotes.”
“I kind of already do.”
George tilted his head, his blond hair seeming to glow under the starlight. “How’s that?”
Levi hadn’t kept his blog a secret on purpose; he simply wasn’t used to talking about it with other people besides Robin. It was too personal. “I have a travel blog that I started about two years ago. Mostly it was for fun. A way to document my travels in the tiny home, and then to show off my cats. I upload pictures I take and write brief essays on different things. Spirituality, how precious nature is, my perspective on the places I visit. It doesn’t make me a lot of money but I do get some ad revenue.”
“Oh wow, that’s really cool.” George’s hand jerked, as if reaching for his phone, only to remember there was no Wi-Fi. “When we get back will you show it to me?”
“Of course. It’s not a secret, it’s just personal, so I never bring it up.”
“I think it’s kind of amazing.” His smile dimmed. “Do you post about me?”
“Only in a vague way when I wrote about Ginger getting hurt and a very kind new friend was taking care of her. I didn’t mention you by name, only referred to you as G. I wanted to protect your privacy, since I hadn’t told you I was writing about you.”
“Okay, thanks. I mean, I didn’t figure you would, but...” He shrugged.
“I’m not offended that you asked. But I do agree with you about no picture accurately capturing this sky.” Levi tried, though, taking a long panoramic shot of the beauty above them. “Do you mind if I write about our vacation? Vaguely, of course.”
“I don’t mind. How could I say no? You write about where you travel to, and this is a new part of the land for you.”
“Thank you, George.” He shoved his hands into his own jacket pockets so he didn’t haul George into his arms and kiss him soundly under those magical stars. What was it about moonlight and nature that made George so hard to resist? They’d shared a similarly intense moment last night on their walk. Arousal buzzed across his skin, and Levi bit his tongue hard to stave it off.
The last thing he needed was to return to camp with a boner.
George was staring at his mouth, and that was a problem. Levi took three steps backward and gazed up at the sky. Pointed out a few more constellations he recognized to pass the time before the night air got uncomfortably cold. They headed back to the campfire. Two-person tents had been pitched, and the Porter-Sanchez quartet was nowhere in sight; two tents were zipped up. Miles pointed out the last unclaimed tent.
“I think I’m going to read on my phone for a while,” George said. “Get a little solitude.”
“Of course.” Levi sat on a log next to Hugo and watched George disappear into their tent. Good grief, but they seemed a lot smaller in person. At least they’d have two sleeping bags between them. Still, Levi didn’t want to be the guy who woke up humping his friend because he couldn’t control his dick.
So he’d stay up as late as possible and hopefully be too exhausted to do more than pass out.
“You and George seem really friendly,” Hugo said quietly, their conversation mostly masked by the cracking of the fire.
“We’re getting there.” When Levi first came to the ranch last winter, Hugo had flirted with him pretty heavily, and Levi had been flattered. And interested. But their single date in Levi’s home proved they didn’t have any real chemistry. They’d remained friends, though, no awkwardness over the brief encounter. “George is a special guy. It’s nice to see him opening up. Pushing against his comfort zones in positive ways.”