With Cameron’s encouragement, he painstakingly made his way halfway up the cliff, until he was well and truly stumped.
“Good work, mate,” Jack yelled to him. “Now, bend your knees, push off the rock face, and I’ll belay you down.”
When Darrell reached the ground, Cameron hugged him, pressing a kiss to his sweaty cheek, and then released him, beaming. “That was brilliant, babe. I’m so proud of you.”
“I think I nearly pissed myself,” Darrell said.
Jack resisted the urge to chuckle. He’d never admit such a thing to a woman, especially not one he was hoping to take to bed later. But Cameron just kissed him again. It seemed they were crazy about each other, despite all odds.
“I appreciate you making the sacrifice,” she said. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“If I say no, will you make me do it again anyway?”
“Yes,” she said, with a smug grin. “That’s the deal.”
“Then yeah, it was kind of fun, but my fingers are cramping.”
The couple continued chatting while Jack scoped out the next spot for them. They continued for another couple of hours, by which point Darrell looked like he might collapse.
Later, Jack was driving to his office when he caught sight of a shock of blonde hair atop a slender body at the beachside pavilion. The way the woman’s neck curved into her shoulder was familiar, but it took him a moment to place it. Brooke.
He’d become so accustomed to seeing her only at Sanctuary that he’d forgotten she had a life outside of the lodge. And right now, she was clearly enjoying it, with an ice cream in one hand, strolling side by side with Kyle Pride. They were near enough to each other that their arms brushed as they walked, and Jack’s fists clenched around the steering wheel. Kyle was talking, waving his hands, the most animated Jack could recall seeing him, and Brooke was smiling—a wide, open smile that lit her face and hit him with the force of a punch in the gut. He’d never seen her smile like that. Nor had he realized how much he wanted to.
There was a lot to like about Brooke, and apparently Kyle had already figured that out. The guy ducked his head and licked her ice cream, a particularly intimate move. The kind a lover might make. Jealousy flared, hot and sharp. Jack wanted to stop the car, stomp over there and drag Brooke a respectable distance away. While it made no sense, he couldn’t get over the feeling that Kyle was encroaching on his territory by being with her, when in actuality, it was none of his business.
Jack sighed. He shouldn’t be disappointed. He had no right to be. And yet, he was.
“Don’t be a dipshit,” he muttered to himself. “She’s all wrong for you anyway.”
6
Brooke v World: Friday 7 February
It’s official. I’m aiming for Everest—a journey in honor of my dear friend Olivia—and today is the first step. Jack is letting me join his outdoor adventure sessions to build fitness and learn new skills, and Kyle has helped me put together a plan of action. I’ll need to do other things to prepare as well, like get a gym membership—shock horror—but today, I’m on my way.
Wish me luck. XX
This time, Brooke dressed for her afternoon trip with more care. She wore sturdier shoes and practical clothing. She wanted Jack to see that she was taking his advice seriously. She slathered on sunscreen so she wouldn’t burn, which she tended to do easily, courtesy of her fair complexion, and tied her hair in a tight ponytail. Finally, she filled her water bottle and placed it in a backpack along with her inhaler, pain meds, allergy pills, insect bite cream, a spare sweater, and two granola bars. Then she headed down the hall to the foyer.
“Hi.” She greeted Jack with a smile. He was leaning against a wall looking rugged and manly and delicious. Heat curled through her, and she tried not to let it show on her face. The last thing she needed was for him to think she had a crush on him—especially after the beating her ego had taken when she realized he didn’t have a clue who she was.
“Hi, Brooke.”
At least he’d remembered her name. She scanned him from head to toe, noticing boots that looked like they’d seen a few summers, shorts that stopped at mid-thigh, and a camouflage t-shirt that somehow made his skin seem even more deeply tanned. Touching the side of her mouth, she confirmed she wasn’t drooling, and mentally scolded herself for checking him out. He was here in a professional capacity. But oh boy, did he fill those clothes nicely.
“You don’t have any gear,” she said, as if to justify why she’d been staring at him.
“Won’t need it today,” he replied. “We’re walking up to the waterfall.”
Oh. She deflated. Here she was, ready for adventure, and they were going somewhere she’d been a dozen times before.
“You’re disappointed?” he asked, crossing his arms over his burly chest.
“No,” she said quickly. “The waterfall is great.”
His thick brows drew together. “You’ve been up there?”
“I’ve been to the waterfall pool, yes.”
A cocky grin crossed his face. “Well, then, you haven’t done the waterfall the way I do it. Prepare to have your mind blown.”
“Really?” She sounded dubious. She couldn’t help it.
He winked. At her. Brooke swallowed. Jack Farrelly had winked at her. Now, her mind was blown.
“Just you wait,” he said. “You’ll see what I mean.”
The door to the dining hall opened and they both glanced over. The Kathmandu couple came through, with Kat right behind them. When she saw Brooke and Jack standing together, she stopped short, then came to them with purposeful strides.
“Please tell me you two are getting along,” she said. “I don’t want to play mediator today.”
“We are,” Brooke assured her. “Don’t worry about us, Kat. We’re going to have a great time. Aren’t we, Jack?” She bumped him with her elbow.
“Yes,” he agreed, sounding less than confident. “Of course.”
“Good.” Kat’s voice was laden with suspicion, and while it was sweet that she worried, Brooke could take care of herself. “There’s one more person joining, I think,” she continued. “Tina—she’s an artist,” she added for Jack’s benefit. “She’s looking for a little inspiration.”
Jack muttered something under his breath but both women paid him no heed.
“Tina is more than welcome to use my wall for practice,” Brooke offered. “I adore what she did last time.” While she’d been laid up in bed with chronic fatigue, Tina had painted a mural of a Nordic village scene across one of her walls. It was peaceful. Serene. Brooke had watched as it came to life, one stroke at a time, and had dreamed that she’d be able to visit that village one day.
“Thank you,” a woman said from behind them. Brooke turned. While they’d been talking, Tina had arrived. “I’m pleased you liked it.”
“How could I not? It’s breathtaking. But if you want to cover it up and start over, you’re more than welcome to.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If this is all of us, shall we head out?” Jack asked, leading the way outside. They trailed through the garden, past Tione’s cabin, and into the forest. As they walked, he explained that their first stop would be at the waterfall, twenty minutes up the track.