"I was right," he added as she placed her hand in his. "It is slippery out here, so be careful."
"I'm sure the spikes on these shoes will do the trick." She swiveled in her seat until her legs dangled heavily out the passenger door. The drop to the ground was a few feet, and the footwear was awkward. But both John and the store clerk had assured her they were exactly what she needed for hiking in Wisconsin’s snow and ice.
"They will and they won't, so don't get too cocky. You still need to be careful. Now, come on." He tugged lightly as he stepped back, leading her toward him. One shoe caught on the ice and held while the other slipped out from under her, propelling her into his brawny chest.
"Oomph." Frankie's face planted into his heavily muscled chest. Those strong arms she'd been daydreaming about only moments ago wrapped around her, pulling her close as one hand rested dangerously low on her back. His manly scent, a mixture of soap, sweat, leather, and the woods was intoxicating.
"Careful," he muttered against her ear, sending out a delicious wave of goosebumps all over her body. "I've got you, baby."
If it had been any other man, in any other place, Frankie would have scrambled away. Instead, she leaned in harder and practically melted against John as he cradled her, murmuring reassurances. Her brain short-circuited and her body simply refused to move. This moment felt right, existing within John’s embrace…like the connection she'd been missing her entire life.
"Are you okay?" he asked after several long seconds, his hands smoothing up and down her back, as if he were lulling her to sleep.
Frankie straightened, clearing her throat, and gave him a miniscule nod and a pat on his chest. "Uh, yes. Yes. Thank you for catching me. You’re a true gentleman."
When he didn't respond, she looked up and caught her breath at the heat in his eyes. They twinkled as he planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand, sending a jolt of electricity straight to her core. "It was my pleasure." Then he moved back, releasing her, and unknowingly leaving her body in flames.
Damn the man. I don’t know what’s worse: that he has this effect on me or that I LIKE it.
She wobbled slightly, arms out, until she realized that her shoes had a good grip, then took a tentative step and another. "They work!"
"Good. Let's get moving. We're losing daylight." He stepped onto a narrow icy, snow-covered path. "That section is back here about a half mile in, so it's not a long hike."
"I assume you have no idea how long the dumping had gone on, yeah?”
"That’s correct. We’re unsure of the timeline."
She scanned the ground as she followed him. “What has been done to rejuvenate the soil so far?"
John continued moving forward, his broad shoulders blocking out everything ahead on the narrow trail between the trees. "There are certain plants we can introduce to help the process along. What we really need is time."
"Are you familiar with New Forest National Park?” she asked.
“Southwest of London? Sure.”
“That’s right,” Frankie answered. “Well, there were several sections of the New Forest that had been contaminated or outright destroyed from weapons testing during World War II. The soil and water had been so badly polluted that nothing grew in patches." She slowed as she approached a downed log, and a rush of pleasure warmed her chest when John stopped to give her a hand. "My grandmother was instrumental in developing the methods for their rejuvenation."
John bobbed his head and then turned back to the trail. "I researched her work extensively when I was looking for solutions. You should be proud of what she accomplished in such a short time, and with very limited resources. Meredith Blake was a trailblazer."
"She was." Frankie focused on her footing as she plodded along behind him, overwhelmed at the emotions that clogged her throat. She missed her grandmother desperately and somedays it was difficult to speak about her without tearing up. "She was my mentor and my biggest cheerleader. I think she always knew I would be the one to continue her legacy. I’m humbled to be a part of it, but it’s also been a lot to shoulder if I’m being honest," she added, trying, but failing, to keep her tone light.
"I understand that." John's voice was supportive. He raised his arms to the side. "I grew up knowing I would eventually be responsible for protecting all of this. It's a tough mantle to bear if you're not ready, and it helps if it’s your passion." He paused for a moment. "So, I prepared myself."
Frankie watched his broad form as he continued along the snow-covered path, amazed at their connection, the total understanding of responsibility, tradition, and legacy. They were things that most people ignored unless it suited their own passion or pleasure. But John and Frankie had both been cut from a different cloth.
Maybe that was why it was so easy to talk to him. He was just…comfortable. Like a mirror image in so many ways.
***
They continued for several hours, with John leading Frankie through areas that had flourished from his efforts and others that still flagged no matter what he tried. Still, his experience was vast and he seemed to instinctively know what would work and what wouldn't.
Frankie could have continued all day without stopping if John hadn't brought her to a sudden halt. There was an amused twinkle in his gorgeous ice blue eyes. "You're hungry."
"Huh?" She wrinkled her nose. "No, I'm not." No sooner were the words out of her mouth than her stomach unleashed a torrent of growls that rivaled a pack of starving hyenas. Frankie grimaced, holding her stomach as it rebelled against her.
"Are you sure about that?" John chuckled. "We were so caught up in this—" He gestured at the trees around them. "That we forgot to eat the lunch Maysie packed us." His hands rubbed up and down her arms, the motion soothing. "Besides, it's getting late and the sun will be setting soon. We should head back."
Her chin dipped in assent, hypnotized by the deep sapphire of his eyes. His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something else, but he hesitated then pressed his lips into a firm line. His hands squeezed her shoulders before moving around her. "Come on. The truck isn’t far." They had been out all day but had moved around on paths that circled the trailhead. In reality, they'd never been farther than a mile or two away in any direction.
