Lost in You by Lorelei James

two city dwellers alone in the woods? For three days?” Ross sneered. “When word of this gets out, you might as well close-up shop. Nobody will trust you. I sure don’t.”  
    “Wait a minute—”  
    Ignoring Dave, Ross directed his comments to Sam. “How did you find a way out without a GPS?”  
    “I didn’t, Lacy did. She has great instincts. We’d still be wandering around in the trees if not for her.”  
    Ross flashed his teeth. “Must be hard on your ego to realize a powder-puff like her is a better outdoorsman than you.”  
    “No, but it’ll be hard on your ego if I let Lacy kick your pansy ass in front of your buddies, like she wants to.” Sam mock-whispered, “I saw what she did to a rattlesnake. It was ugly. I wouldn’t stick around for a personal demonstration if I were you.”  
    Ross looked torn—act macho or save face. He cleared his throat.  
    “Well, I don’t care. I want my money back.”  
    “Fair enough.” Becker motioned to the cook. “Clarence, take these guys back to the office. Dave will be along to write him a refund check. Good luck finding another outfitter anywhere in Wyoming or Montana, Ross. Guys like you are a dime a dozen and not worth the hassle.”  
    Ross opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. He and the two stooges scrambled on their horses and trailed behind Clarence into the forest.  
    “I’m glad they’re gone,” Dave said. “Okay. ‘Fess up, cuz. What really happened out there?”  
    “Later. Right now Lacy and I need to clear up a few things.”  
    Dave nodded and moved to tend the horses.  
    Lacy held up a hand, stopping his explanation. “Thank you for making me seem tough and capable in front of Ross.”  
    “You are tough and capable.”  
    “That means a lot coming from a fellow New Yorker. Bet you’re having a big laugh about pulling one over on me.”  
    “Stop thinking I’m secretly laughing at you.”  
    “Then why didn’t you tell me the truth?”  
    “Because you gave me your trust. You made me feel I could protect you. I wanted to prove to you and to myself that your faith wasn’t misplaced.”  
    “So that’s why you assured me ‘everything would work out’ and spouted that speech about fate?”  
    “Not entirely.” Becker reached into the pocket of his backpack, pulling out her missing charm bracelet. “I believe in fate because of this.”  
    Lacy gasped.  
    “When I found it, I realized not only had fate led me to it, fate had led me to you .”  
    “But—”  
    “Let me finish. Yes, I’d planned on dropping by your apartment with the bracelet and then confessing the truth. I thought we could have a fresh start. But I don’t want to start over with you, Lacy. I want to go forward on what we’ve already built together.” He let his heart show in his eyes. “The last three days have been the most amazing and enlightening of my life. I don’t want this to end.”  
    “Really?”  
    “Really.” He fastened the bracelet, tenderly kissing the inside of her wrist up to her elbow.  
    “I’d hoped you felt it,” she said softly. “I was afraid you’d blame this strong connection on circumstances. Because we had no choice but to rely on each other.”  
    “Somewhere between the name-calling, the snake scare, the rocking hot sex and sharing secrets by firelight, I fell hard for you.”  
    Lacy blushed.  
    It charmed the hell out of him. If he had his way, she’d spend the next fifty years charming and exasperating him. “What do you say we get out of here?”  
    She nodded.  
    Dave waited in the clearing, probably making sure they didn’t get lost again.  
    “You afraid of horses?” Becker asked after he mounted.  
    “I’m not afraid of anything when I’m with you.”  
    God. He adored this woman.  
    Lacy grabbed his hand. He hauled her in front of him on the saddle, nuzzled the side of her neck, losing himself in her sweet scent and the sense of rightness