All she had to do was provide at least fifteen hours of video footage per week, chronicling her efforts to survive in the wilderness, recording her thoughts on Trudie, her feminist ideals and the challenges shed faced. Meanwhile, the producers were working to sell the series to a network.
Lucy had been given a battery-operated two-way radio to call for help in case of an emergency, a laptop computer with a satellite uplink to upload her video footage each week and a generator to charge both the video camera and laptop.
Figuring it should be charged now, she walked back inside and grabbed the video camera, then sat down on the top porch step and turned it toward herself. Pushing the record button, she smiled. Hooray, hooray, its the third of May. Ive been on the mountain for exactly one month and today, Im going to have a visitor. Annalise Montgomery, Trudies daughter, has agreed to stop by once a month to check up on me and bring me a few supplies. And to chat with us. Those of you whove read Trudies books know that Trudies friend and lover, Buck Garrison, used to stop by every month with necessities, but there will be no men visiting me.
Rachel McFarlane and Anna Conners, her two producers, had decided that the entire project, from production on down, should be run by women. The pair had produced an award-winning PBS special on the all-womens Americas Cup racing crew several years before and were certain that it would be a positive message to send to the public and a good way to market the show to the networks when it came time to sell it.
What do I need? Lucy continued. A few extra lanterns for the very dark mountain nights. Another pair of long underwear. Some heavier socks. And a new washboard to do laundry. I could also use some chocolate, but I didnt put that on my list as Ive decided to go cold turkey. She paused. Turkey. Id also love a turkey sandwich. Canned meat has already lost its appeal.
Rileys bark caught her attention and Lucy trained the lens on the meadow, hoping to catch Annalise as she approached. In the distance, she made out a lone figure moving toward her. She tried to make out the details of Annalises face, then sucked in a sharp breath.
It wasnt the slender figure of Annalise, but a tall, lanky man who approached. She noticed the rifle slung over his shoulder. He also carried a large frame pack, yet moved as if it weighed nothing.
Lucy had been in the wilderness for an entire month and this was the first visitor shed had. Though she felt a small measure of excitement, this wasnt the person shed expected. Calling for Riley, she motioned the dog to her side and he sat down, his attention now fixed on the stranger. As the man approached the cabin, Lucy observed him more closely.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing hiking shorts and boots, a faded T-shirt, sunglasses and a cap that shaded his eyes. Thick, dark hair curled out from under the cap and the shadow of a beard darkened his face.
A tiny tremor raced through her. There was a reason why the production company had hired Annalise Montgomery to make the monthly visits, beyond the shows premise. After a month of solitude, a single manhell, any mancaused a riot of unsettling feelings inside of her, even if he might be a backwoods ax murderer.
Lucy suddenly realized how vulnerable she was, out here all alone. She set the camera down and grabbed the rifle from its spot just inside the door. Nestling the butt into her shoulder, she got the man in her sights. Stop right there, she shouted across the twenty yards that separated them. Riley growled softly.
Startled, he did as he was ordered, slowly raising his hands and watching her suspiciously. Are you really planning to use that? he shouted.
I will if I have to.
Then nestle the stock into your shoulder and raise the muzzle up. Unless your intended target is the dirt five feet in front of me. Dont tell me they didnt even teach you to shoot properly.
What are you doing here?
The more appropriate question, he muttered, starting toward her again, would be what are you doing here? He dropped his hands to the straps on his pack and hooked his thumbs beneath them.
She narrowed her gaze. Who are you?
Annalise sent me, he said. Ive brought some supplies. And I guess Im supposed to make sure you havent done anything stupid, like starve to death or get eaten by a bear. You look healthy and I dont see any teeth marks, so I assume youre all right so far?
Lucy stifled a smile as she set the gun down beside her. She stepped off the porch, suddenly curious about the man whod wandered into her orbit. He slipped the pack off his back, then stretched his arms above his head. Then, in one smooth movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head and used it to wipe the perspiration from his face.
Lucy bit back a moan as she took in his finely muscled chest and impossibly sculpted abdomen. Her fingers twitched as she imagined running her hands over the tanned skin, pressing her lips to the smooth expanse of naked skin.
This was crazy. Shed gone far longer than a month without a man in her life before. Why was she reacting so strongly to this guy now? Yes, he was gorgeous. And she hadnt had any human contact for a month. But she should be able to control her reactions much better than this.
He cleared his throat and when she met his gaze, Lucy realized shed been caught staring. You shouldnt be here, she murmured. Annalise agreed to come.
She thought Id enjoy the fresh air and a good, long hike.
We had an agreement, Lucy said.
Well, if you knew anything about Annalise youd understand that shes rather flexible when it comes to promises and agreements.
We have a contract. This entire project is supposed to be run by women. Women producers, women editors. We want to make a statement. Exactly how Trudie would have wanted it.
How do you know what Trudie wanted? he asked. You never even met her.
And I suppose you did? she asked, arching her eyebrow and leveling a cool gaze at him.
I used to spend summers here with her, he said. I helped her put up the addition on the cabin and I built that outhouse all by myself.
Her breath caught in her throat. Annalise had mentioned that she had a son, but she said he was away a lot and that they didnt see much of each other. Cursing beneath her breath, she strode up to him and held out her hand. You must be
Eli, he said after studying her for a long, uncomfortable moment. Eli Montgomery. Im Annalises son.
Im Lucy Parker, she said, sending him an apologetic smile. Of course the son of a woman like Annalise would be as handsome as she was beautiful. And hed have to love the outdoors.
He took her hand in his and gave it a shake.
Its a pleasure to meet you, she said.
He took off his sunglasses, letting them hang from the strap around his neck, and she found herself transfixed by eyes so blue, they rivaled the sky above. They stared at each other warily, like two wild animals deciding between fight or flight.
You must have left very early to get here before noon, she said.
I move fast, he said.
A shiver skittered down her spine and she drew her fingers from his.
For most people, its a four-hour hike, he explained. I can do it in three. And if Im going to make the round trip before sunset, I wanted to be here by noon.
You must have left very early to get here before noon, she said.
I move fast, he said.
A shiver skittered down her spine and she drew her fingers from his.
For most people, its a four-hour hike, he explained. I can do it in three. And if Im going to make the round trip before sunset, I wanted to be here by noon.
Youre going to leave right away?
He frowned. Yeah. I guess I didnt think youd want me to stick around. Why? You need something? You want me to stay?
No, no. Youre right. You really should go. The whole point of this project is for me to live life like Trudie did.
Trudie had lots of visitors, he said.
In that case, maybe you could you stay for lunch? She gave him a tentative smile. To be honest, it would be nice to have some company. Even for just an hour. And as long as you dont do any of the cooking, I guess it wont break any rules.
There are rules?
Guidelines, really. An entire notebook filled with them. I cant accept any outside help, beyond the monthly check-in.
All right, he said. Ill stay. Under one condition.
What would that be?
You let me show you how to handle that rifle.
I know how to handle it. They gave me lessons at a shooting range in LA.
Even so, Id like to show you myself.
Lucy sighed. All right. Well do that after lunch. She glanced down at what she was wearing, realizing for the first time that she must look like some kind of crazy lady. Im just going to get dressed. Is there anything you need? I can Lucy paused. I guess you remember where everything is. Just make yourself comfortable.
She hurried back inside the cabin and slammed the door behind her. Leaning against the rough planks, she drew a deep breath. Stop it! she muttered. This was ridiculous.
Shed come here, to this remote mountain cabin, to prove that a woman didnt need a man to find peace and contentment in the world. And here she was, panting over Eli Montgomery like hed come specifically to seduce her.
He was delivering supplies and nothing more. Just because he had a nice smile and a charming manner did not mean he wanted to pick her up, wrap her legs around his waist and do the nasty.
Show some self-control, Lucy said to herself, pushing off the door.
Still, as she searched the cabin for something decent to wear, she discarded anything that might make her look lumpy. In the end, she settled for yoga pants and a simple chambray shirt that she knotted at the waist.
For the first time since she arrived, she regretted the lack of a mirror in the cabin. It was something that Trudie had prided herself onthe ability to grow comfortable with her natural appearance. Lucy grabbed a brush and quickly ran it through her hair. Forgive me, Trudie, she murmured, pinching her cheeks to give herself a bit of color.
When she opened the door again, Eli was sitting on the porch, Riley stretched out beside him. Hed unpacked the supplies hed brought along, laying them out on the floor. Is that chocolate? she asked.
It is. My mother thought you might need it, but I can take it back down with me if you dont want it.
She reached down and grabbed the package of chocolate bars. Not a chance, mister. Now, if youd also brought me a triple-shot caramel latte, I might have kissed you.
Nope, he said with a grin. But Ill remember that next month.
* * *
ELI HADNT PLANNED to spend any time at the cabin. Hed been irritated that his mother had rented out the property, especially for a dumb reality television show, and he wasnt really looking forward to meeting the new tenant. But then hed gotten a good look at Lucy Parker.
Hed expected some fortysomething feminist, a woman experienced with life and ready to prove a point to anyone who might be interested. Hed imagined someone like his grandmother, not some sweet-faced, doe-eyed woman with a disarming smile and an amazing body.
It was clear why theyd picked her for the job. Even dressed in raggedy clothes with her hair tangled, she was drop-dead beautiful. She wasnt wearing a bit of makeup to enhance her features and yet, she had a beauty that was unmatched by any woman hed ever met.
Her skin was flawless, pale and smooth, and her lips were as pink as ripening fruit. Her hair, thick and flaxen in color, tumbled around her face in a style that was best reserved for the bedroom immediately after sex.
Eli had been prepared to hate her, or at least dislike her for underestimating the harsh reality of living on the mountain. But she was so determined to honor Trudie with this project that he found himself carried along by her enthusiasm. Still, he was worried about her preparedness. Before he could walk away, he needed to know that shed be fine out here all by herself.
In the meantime, he tried his best to ignore the attraction pulsing between them. Shed made it very clear that the last thing she wanted was a man. He wouldnt be chopping her firewood, he wouldnt be digging her garden and he wouldnt be warming her bed. But maybe there was one thing he could do for her.
He picked up the sandwich that Lucy had made for him and took a bite. The rustic bread was freshly baked and shed slathered homemade hummus on it, flavored with garlic and roasted red peppers. This is delicious, he said.
Thanks. She pulled her knees up beneath her chin. I put a lot of time and effort into my menu. If I think a lot about food, I can contain my cravings.
And what do you crave? he asked. Besides a caramel latte? And chocolate?
Potato chips. Ice cream. Pizza. I dream about pizza.
Well, youre about an eight-hour hike from a really great pizza parlor. Maybe you could get them to deliver, he teased.
I expected to miss food. And all my electronics. Television and movies. But what I really miss is people. Its so quiet here at night it almost makes my ears hurt. I dont know what Id do without Riley. She drew a deep breath. And fruit. I miss fresh fruit.
There will be places you can get that around here later this summer, he said. About a mile in that direction are two apple trees that were planted near the foundation of an old cabin. And over there, along that ridge, are blackberry bushes, but watch out for bears because they like them as much as humans do. There are also wild plum and boysenberry trees nearby. Trudie used to make the best jam.
He wanted to show her, to tell her everything that he knew to help her survive and make her stay more bearable. But he remembered her very strict set of rules. Id draw you a map, but youd probably rip it up and throw it in the fire.
She nodded, then pushed to her feet. Is there anything else I can get you?
He wanted to ask if shed let him run his fingers through her hair, or smooth his hand over her cheek. He wanted to stare into her eyes and memorize the color so he might recall it later. Most of all, he wanted to kiss her and see if the attraction he felt was mutual or just some silly fantasy that he was experiencing on his own.
Get me your rifle, he said. And bring a box of ammunition.
What are you going to shoot? she said, glancing around. Is there a bear?
No. Were just going to have a little target practice, he said. Humor me. I want to be sure you could shoot a bear if you had to.