Whispers in the Dark by Chris Eboch

I let out a long sigh. I could enjoy this again. That was good to know.
    Sean said, “Damn. I wish I didn’t have to go.”
    “You need to leave?” Disappointment warred with relief.
    “Afraid so. I have to be somewhere tonight and I’m already running late. You’re too damn tempting.” He gave me another gentle kiss. “I’ll see you soon?”
    “I hope so.”
    “I can’t tomorrow. Maybe Thursday. You have a phone?”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t get reception very well out here, and I’m keeping it off so I don’t have to worry about charging so often.” I thought of the visitors center, but I didn’t want romantic messages left there. “You can text me, though. I’ll try to check messages a couple of times a day.”
    “Tell you what,” he said. “You get some work done tomorrow. We’ll go out Thursday, about five. I’ll buy you a good meal and we can see a movie. And... maybe I shouldn’t suggest this. I don’t want you to take it wrong, but if you’re ready for a hot shower, we can stop by my apartment first thing.” He grinned. “Purely a selfless and generous offer, I promise.”
    “You mean you want a clean date. That is tempting.” I decided not to commit to the shower until I’d had time to consider. “Okay, we’ll call it a provisional plan. Text me if anything changes.”
    He programmed my number into his phone. “Shall I escort you back to the campground?”
    “No, I’ll sit here a few more minutes. But thanks.”
    “You’re not planning to do any work tonight, I hope?”
    “No. I just don’t feel like heading back yet.” And I didn’t want a romantic goodbye in front of the camp host, a known gossip.
    He stood and laid a hand on my shoulder. “Just stay out of the canyon at night. You could stumble on a snake or scorpion, slip on a rock and break your ankle....”
    I sighed. “I know. I’ll be careful.”
    “I know you’re capable of taking care of yourself. But the dangers here are different from in the city, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
    I smiled up at him. “I’ll just stay here five minutes and then go back to my campsite. Lunch is wearing off anyway.”
    He cupped my cheek in his hand. “All right. I’ll see you soon.”
    After he left, I stared at the scenery and tried to make sense of my feelings. I wouldn’t fool myself into thinking this was some big love affair, but I’d had a good time, and I hadn’t humiliated myself by having hysterics when he kissed me. I was proving something to myself.
    I frowned. Was I using Sean? What if he took this more seriously than I did?
    I shrugged. You couldn’t plan a relationship from the first date. Maybe my feelings would change. Maybe he didn’t expect anything more than a few casual dates. Of course, men almost always did expect—or at least want—sex even if their emotions were casual. I couldn’t even blame them, since it was a biological urge. Well, if Sean wanted sex right away, I’d tell him what had happened to me. He’d either slow down or disappear entirely. Problem solved.
    I closed my eyes and tipped my head back. A bird chirped and rustled in the trees and then went silent. The air lay warm and heavy. The whole canyon seemed still, waiting.
    It should have been relaxing, but I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. I shivered and opened my eyes, glancing around quickly. No one in sight. So why did I have the sudden feeling I was being watched?
    Nerves. I sighed. I still couldn’t tell the difference between solid warning instincts and unreasonable panic. Regardless, the peaceful mood had been broken. I jumped when something shook the bushes nearby. Time to head back to my campsite, where I had privacy within shouting distance of people.
    I was halfway to the campground when I heard a low rumble. I paused, senses on alert. Then I blew out a breath and relaxed. Since when did I jump at a car engine starting—a sound I wouldn’t even notice in the city? The sound softened to a