Memories of Gold by Ali Olson Page B

Perhaps he would simply need to convince her. Even if it took the rest of their time together, it would be worth it. He said, “I understand. But it’s a wonderful city. You would like it, I think.”
    “Do you like San Francisco?” she asked.
    Jimmy nodded, but it was forced. The city was a little dirty and crowded for his taste, but his job was there. His dreams were there. “It’s interesting and full of life. And the food is delicious.”
    She gave him a little sad smile, and he decided it would be best not to press the topic more for the moment. There would be time enough later.
    They were silent for a long while, listening to the birds, comfortable in their closeness, as Mary lost herself in thought. San Francisco seemed exciting, but the idea of a big city didn’t call to her. She liked being out in the wild, away from civilization, if only for a short time.
    She missed the freedom to run through the grasses and sit all day beside the river attempting to catch fish, though the hours rarely brought success. She hadn’t actually realized how much of her soul had shriveled simply from staying in town for so long; it was only when they had visited the forest the day before that it began to stretch out again.
    Still, even with that, she would follow him, if not for Emma. The poor girl could never live that close to so many people. Even getting her accustomed to Mrs. Harper and her family had been a chore. She could never put her through that. But it was Jimmy—how could she let him go after she had only just found him again?
    She focused on him so close to her. The press of his warm body against hers set her blood to racing, and she could feel desire bubbling underneath the surface like a pot of water right before it begins to boil. Although Maria had been tired and achy from lack of sleep when she arrived, the surroundings and Jimmy’s tenderness and proximity rejuvenated her. She put aside her worries and let herself enjoy the moment.
    When she felt she could stand it no longer and could barely stop herself from pressing into him more purposely, she stood. “I want to explore the caves, but we forgot to bring a lantern, so I suppose a walk around the outside will have to do.”
    Jimmy smirked at her. “What do you mean, ‘we forgot a lantern’? I did nothing of the sort.”
    He reached into a sack lying near his feet Maria had failed to notice and pulled out a small lantern. She shook her head, impressed with his forethought. “Well, Jimmy, you came prepared I see. I suppose you brought a meal as well?”
    He beamed. “I certainly did, but that is for after we escape the caves alive.”
    She laughed, her exhaustion forgotten. “We may starve to death only a few hundred feet from a perfectly good meal if you leave it out here. I suppose we ought to take it with us, lest we become lost and need it to ensure our survival.”
    He tried to make his face serious, but the corners of his lips turned up involuntarily. “What if we meet some dangerous animal in there, though, and they are attracted to the scent of the provisions? I’m not sure we should risk that.”
    The conversation was so silly, she could not keep a straight face, no matter how hard she tried. “We can simply throw some scraps to the animal, thereby distracting it as we make our escape.”
    “Your logic is too sound for argument. We shall take the rations with us.”
    He set the lantern on the rock, lit the wick, and shuttered it, leaving only a small swath of light to guide their way. He passed the light to her and grasped the bag, and together they walked into the cave.
    As soon as they left the entryway, the lantern’s small beam became their only source of light. When Mary spoke, her voice bounced back in soft imitation. “You know, if we opened the shutters on the lantern, we would be able to see our surroundings instead of just the few feet ahead of us.”
    “What’s the fun in that?” Jimmy countered.
    Mary laughed and moved