Left For Wild: A Stranded in the Wilderness Romance

by Harloe Rae

  “We’re going to be okay,” she murmurs into the crook of my neck.

  I want to believe she’s talking about the relationship we’ve been building, not our health in general. With a nod, I brush my lips against her cheek. “Yeah, Lee. Everything will return to normal.”

  “Our new version, at least.”

  Maybe she is referring to us as a unit. I grin into the warmth of her skin. “I think we can survive anything.”

  She gives me a smile of her own. “So long as we’re together.”

  “I love the sound of that, sweetheart. All will be well now.” I huddle her even closer to me, inhaling the scent of fresh air and burning wood. The smell of flowers and sweet perfume will infuse her again within days. Many of our recent changes will be reversed as we journey home to civilization. But one part of the wilderness travels with us—she’ll always be mine.

  Survival tip #25: Take deep breaths and don’t look down.

  I exhale another stuttering breath when the chopper bounces through a fluffy cloud. My nails are seconds away from ripping the vinyl seats. Halder glances at me with a crooked smirk. That quiet reassurance has me offering a weak smile in return. I’ve been mostly silent since boarding this aircraft. Fear of the unknown has a way of stealing my speech—even the fumbling bumbles. A cramp twists my stomach as we take another unexpected dip. This flight is a lesson I didn’t need. The fuzzy cotton sensation clotting my mouth hasn’t ceased, making me wish for some melted snow. But asking for anything right now seems too steep.

  Wippa and Eddie are saints for transporting us to the nearest hospital. The trouble is finding the nearest location equipped with a helicopter pad. This part of the country is remote, even the areas with established towns. Conveniently enough, depending on how optimistic I’m choosing to be, there’s one a few hours away. I’ve been constantly wondering where we were stranded. It’s rather daunting to imagine what this trip would entail if either of us was in need of serious medical attention. Would there be a closer option? Do locals have to travel this far during emergencies?

  We’re nearing a border crossing somewhere in Saskatchewan, based on the static crackling through my headphones. Most of what they’ve been saying is a pile of goo to my already mucky thoughts. It’s not as if I have any control in the matter. When will I get to be in charge again? I flick my gaze to Halder and almost ask him to call me boss, just one more time. But that’s crazier than the tunneled view through the windshield. The subtle rocking could almost be soothing if my mind was in a better place. I’m just holding on tight while crossing all ten fingers and toes.

  Wippa turns slightly to face us. “We’re almost there, loves. Just hold on a bit longer.” Her eyes find mine. “Your family is already en route, by the way. Great news, eh?”

  All I manage is a shaky nod. My mother must be worried sick. The fact she’s leaving her house is a testimony to the level of severity. It’s not every day that one of her daughters needs to be retrieved from a different country. That’s after I’ve already been reported as missing for over a week. She’s going to require a heavy tranquilizer to ever sleep again.

  The remainder of our ride is smooth yet terrifying. Buildings appear below us and in the distance. Bright lights twinkle in the dusk, beckoning us in. Soon we’ll be down there with crowds of people. I haven’t been gone long, but the isolation we’ve been in was protecting me all the same. That bubble is about to burst in a very big way.

  Eddie steers to the left, lowering us into a seemingly dangerous nosedive. My belly flips and riots at the chaos brewing to a boil inside of me. A tall structure looms underneath us, and we’re suddenly going down.

  “Hey,” Halder murmurs.

  I rip my stare off the red symbol at the roof’s center to find him grinning at me. “Hi.”

  “Are you okay?”

  I blow out a heavy sigh. “Kinda? This is just scary, I guess.”

  “Flying?”

  “Well, yeah. But the arriving part is making me anxious. Am I that transparent?”

  “You’re about to cut off my circulation.” He glances at my fingers white-knuckling his leg.

  A wince strains my features further. “Oh, yikes. Sorry about that.”

  “I don’t mind being the crash dummy. That includes a squeeze doll, too. But there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be with you. Just remember that.”

  Just hearing that releases a hefty weight off my shoulders. “Thanks, babe. I’m just being paranoid.”

  Halder drifts a knuckle down my cheek. “I can understand that, trust me.”

  Our conversation meets an abrupt end as we jolt against the ground. The instant we touch down, a whirlwind of action begins to buzz in all directions. Eddie and Wippa are a synchronized jumble of commotion in the cockpit. Once they kill the engine, a mass of people swarm toward the helicopter. By the looks of it, they’re a mix of medical practitioners and security guards. Halder unbuckles my restraints and offers me a hand to exit the tiny compartment. The welcome wagon sweeps in on us and forms a blockage along all sides. This flurry of activity makes my skin crawl as I search for holes in their fence.

  I clutch Halder’s arm in another vice grip. “What’s happening?”

  His eyes are blown wide while he tracks our human shield. “No clue. Maybe it’s a standard measure?”

  One of the uniformed guards shoots a glare at us, effectively sealing my lips. Okay, then. They herd us inside—similar to unruly cattle after a long afternoon giving chase. The white walls and floors are pristine, blinding me upon entry. Antiseptic and bleach burn my nostrils. The chemical stench makes me miss the crisp scent of freedom that still hangs in my clothes. While I’m wiping the sting from my eyes, a nurse manages to corral me away from Halder.

  We’re escorted into separate rooms, much to my dismay and vocal protesting. Once I plop my butt onto the lumpy mattress, a different nurse bustles around the space on a mission to do who knows what. It’s not like I’m bleeding or in need of urgent attention. What I want to do is tear down the wall and make sure Halder is okay. This forced split makes my skin itch all over again. I don’t appreciate being separated from him.

  “Why am I in here?”

  The nurse pauses in her search through a cabinet—white, of course. “Just a routine exam, dear.”

  “For what?”

  She blinks at me. “To make sure you’re all right. You went through a very difficult experience.”

  I grind my molars until an ache stops me. “I’m not traumatized. If anything, you putting me in this room alone is causing great distress.”

  “Of course not, dear. We just need to ask you a few simple questions. Your vitals need to be checked as well. Nothing strenuous, I promise.” The look she sends me is full of pity. I try not to curl my upper lip at her.

  Before she can proceed, there’s a loud commotion in the hallway.

  “Ma’am, you’re not allowed in there.” The unfamiliar voice is tinged with panic.

  There’s some scuffling, followed by the squeaking of shoes on tile. “You cannot stop me from seeing my daughter!”

  In the next pounding beat of footsteps, my mother is bursting through the closed door. My two sisters are right behind her. The shock at seeing them drops my jaw so the joint hangs slack. I don’t get a chance to recover before my mom is rushing forward with tears streaking her face.

  “Dear Lord, Blakely.” She squeezes my cheeks between her trembling palms. “I never thought we’d see you again. A bunch of police officers were assigned to your case, but they had no leads. The news stories were so bleak. You just…vanished.”

  She seems to have aged ten years since I saw her earlier this month. I place my hands over hers, staring into blue eyes so similar to mine. “Mom, I’m okay. Don’t panic.”

  Her exhales rattle with a wheeze. “I didn’t know where you were. That’s a mother’s worst nightmare.”

  “It’s all good now, Mom.” I pat the mattress beside me. “Sit and try to calm down.�
��

  She follows orders, sucking in deep lungfuls while more tears trickle off her lashes. “You’re not hurt?”

  I thread her fingers through mine, trying to ease the tremor. “Nope. They brought me to the hospital as a precaution.”

  My sisters take this opportunity to separate from the background. The baby of our family offers me a tremulous smile. Reagan still has a summer glow tanning her skin. Her advertising internship must be providing travel opportunities. It’s odd to realize we haven’t seen each other since early September. “Dude, you freaked us out. It was like one of those true crime shows. Where were you?”

  A dusty laugh scrapes out of me. The hoarse sound reminds me that I need some water. “A wilderness in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but forest, dirt, and mountains. There was a river, too.” And the cutest little hidey-hole for making love.

  “Who took you up there?” My older sister, Adalene, bears a hefty dose of concern in her expression. Lines cut across her smooth forehead and pinch the skin around her painted lips.

  I bite my bottom lip, scouring memories that aren’t really mine. These are the types of inquiries I’ll need to prepare for. “No clue. I was hoping someone else could fill in those details.”

  A throat clears loudly from the far corner. I’d forgotten the nurse was still here. Her bland expression reveals how unimpressed she is by being interrupted. “I’ll let you catch up, but we’ll need to conduct those tests.”

  I’m nodding, but my attention is already returning to my family. “Yeah, sure.”

  She leaves with a huff, taking a ball of pressure off my chest with her. My sisters exchange an exaggerated roll of their eyes. I look over to find my mom breathing somewhat normally again. Her petite figure is slightly hunched as she surveys a section of idle equipment against the wall. Maybe she’ll recognize the heart monitor and practice some meditation. That would be one less thing to fear. A knock on my door alerts us to another visitor.

  I lift my gaze and straighten to see more of the broad frame that’s blocking the harsh fluorescent bulbs. Adalene and Reagan swivel in place to see who is catching my focus. Their mutual gasps bounce between the crackling distance. I don’t blame them one bit. Even rumpled and shaggy, Halder tops any woman’s hall pass list. He hovers near the threshold, wearing a timid smirk and enough tension to chop an entire tree down.

  “Hey, Blakely. Am I interrupting?” His boots scuff against the floor as he waits for my verdict.

  I usher him forward with a roll of my wrist. “Not at all. Come in, please.”

  Halder strides forward, tipping his head at my gawking family. “Hello, ladies.”

  His greeting snaps me out of my stupor. “Gah, sorry. Introductions would be polite. These are my sisters, Adalene and Regan.” They both give him adorable waves with their fingers. “And my mom, Betsy.” She’s gone stiff beside me, but I ignore her.

  He grins at them while erasing more of the pesky space keeping us apart. “Nice to put faces to the names. Blakely has told me so much about you.”

  “Oh?” Based on my mother’s frosty tone, she doesn’t deem this revelation to be good.

  “Yes, of course.” I avoid further query by choosing to beam at his presence like the natural ray of sunshine he is. “This is Halder. He’s the one I was stranded with.”

  “Even his name is hot,” Reagan whispers to Adalene.

  I pin them with a scowl fierce enough to make my temple throb. “Hush, you two.”

  “Just stating facts,” Reagan murmurs.

  When I refocus on Halder, his shoulders are jerking with silent humor. The amusement shines in his bottomless gaze as he winks at me. I feel all the tension bleed from my muscles, nearly stooping me sideways. This guy can flip my mood with a pop of his dimple. Putting both on display is downright playing dirty.

  A snooty tsk severs the rainbow arching across the room. Leave it to my mother to chase away the glittering sparkles. “I wasn’t aware a man was out there with you, Blakely.”

  “Um, okay? Not sure it makes a difference at this point.”

  “That puts you in graver danger.”

  I wrinkle my nose at her. “No, quite the opposite. Halder saved my life.”

  “And how do we know that?”

  “Because I say so. Whoever is responsible for targeting us will get caught. The truth behind our disappearance is probably being uncovered as we speak.” I barely manage to contain another eye roll.

  “I didn’t mean to cause a disruption.” All traces of joy are absent from Halder’s face, replaced with a drooping frown.

  “You’re not.” I want to offer him a spot on the bed, preferably attached to my hip without the possibility of removal. But that might be awkward with my family looming so close.

  He scratches at his beard while gazing out the small window. “I wanted to let you know that the authorities are buzzing in the lobby. They fought with the medical staff who were checking me over. The cops want to review the events of our disappearance with you, but I managed to hold them off for a bit longer. I’m pissed that they feel the need to have a discussion with us minutes after being dropped off.”

  “Thanks for that.” I hope the smile wobbling on my lips reflects my gratitude.

  “Seems to be more of a nuisance than anything since we’re in a different country. You’ll probably have to go through this a few times. Once you’re back on American soil, they’ll want to gather a formal statement. All of the bases need to be covered, but nothing too invasive. Yet.” That last word is tacked on as if it’s an afterthought.

  “How lovely. At least it won’t take long. I’m ready to get out of this place.” After the required checks and balances are conducted, apparently.

  Something behind Halder pulls his gaze that way. He gives a brisk nod. “Well, they’re taking me back to the States immediately. I have to visit with my attorney and, uh,” he glances at my family with a cringe, “parole officer.”

  My mother squeaks, clutching the collar of her shirt. “Oh, sweet Jesus. Please tell me he’s not one of your…clients.”

  Ignoring her is simple considering my heart is thumping hard enough to drown all other noise. I scramble from the mattress and stumble toward him. “You’re leaving?”

  “Don’t have much of a choice,” he murmurs. “If I resist, they’ll likely arrest me.”

  “Good heavens,” my mother whispers. Adalene and Reagan huddle in to distract her, but I barely notice.

  Blistering heat floods my vision, and I bat at the tears. “Don’t they have to give you an exam?”

  “A nurse was fussing at me for about ten minutes before determining I could make the trip safely. The doctor is sending a referral to a clinic near my place.”

  “And that’s it? Shouldn’t there be more concern for your health?”

  He creases his brow. “Not that I’m aware of.”

  A spew of curses go off like rapid fire in my brain. Why doesn’t that surprise me? Especially since there seems to be a hurry for him to get home. “They must be saving that for the so-called innocent victims,” I grumble.

  His eyes widen to comical proportions. “What?”

  “Nothing.” I attempt to wave my previous words away. “Some other standard procedure they told me is required.”

  The grooves on his forehead carve deeper. “Ah, okay? That’s not ominous at all.”

  His concern brings forth a wave of my own. A pivot is in order. “Why are they rushing you out of here?”

  Halder’s chuckle is hollow, lacking any of the usual mirth or spirit. “I’m a recently released felon who went missing, sweetheart. Now I’ve resurfaced with a social worker who has ties to the prison. Let’s just say I have some serious explaining to do.”

  I sputter around a mouthful of shock. “How can they believe you left on purpose? Is that even legal?”

  He offers a limp shrug. “I’m in violation of my parole, willing or not. There’s bound to be further investigation with loads of questioning and i
nterrogation. It’s going to be fine. I doubt they’ll dredge up anything worth convicting me of. The justice system is full of surprises, though.”

  “But you did nothing wrong!”

  “They don’t know that. Uncovering the truth is part of the process. One more thing to prove. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t go down without a fight.”

  Another noise of outrage escapes my mother. At this rate, she’ll need to be admitted for an aneurysm. Halder visibly flinches and takes a step away from me. This is all backward. Maybe we should’ve stayed in the safety of our little niche. I press two fingers against the prickling behind my eyelids.

  “This isn’t how I planned for our rescue to turn out,” he murmurs.

  My scoff is reflexive. “Yeah, me either.”

  He reaches a thumb out to stroke along my jaw. “I need to get going before they cuff me.”

  “Wait.” I cling to his wrist with a desperation that hums in my bones. “How will I get in touch with you? Do you have a cell phone?”

  He grips the nape of his neck. “I planned on getting one, but never got the chance. Didn’t really have a reason until now. Can I call you?”

  I’m nodding before he’s done speaking. “Yes, of course.”

  Halder scribbles my number on a discarded scrap. He leans in to dust his lips over my cheek. I tilt further to catch more of him, but his touch is gone after only an instant.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he promises.

  Before I have the chance to respond, his towering appearance becomes little more than a retreating shadow across the hallway. Everything in me screams to follow him. The urge is too powerful and I rip my gaze away. I press a twitching palm to my mouth, capturing a tortured sob.

  “Oh, Blakely,” Reagan says with a sigh while cuddling me into her side.