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asked softly, “Why did you wait for me, Sam?”  
      Because you piqued my interest more than any woman ever has.  
    Another voice whispered, Because she’s your fate.  
      Shut-up, Mom.  
    “No one else in the hiking group noticed I was missing.”
    Becker kept his tone light. “You were my responsibility.”  
    “That’s it?”  
    Why did she sound disappointed by his answer? “No.” He faced her and the truth in himself. “I’d been watching you.” Becker caressed her cheek. “Wanting you. Admiring your determination even when the unknown scared the hell out of you.”  
    “You admire that? Why?”  
    “Because I’ve been thinking about making changes in my own life.”  
    Lacy gestured to the great outdoors. “But your life is a new exciting adventure every day.”  
    “You’d be surprised at the mundane aspects of my day-to-day existence.”  
    “Does having uninhibited sex in the woods count as mundane?”  
    “No. This is a first.”  
    She smiled sleepily. “I’m glad.” Seeming content, she snuggled closer.  
    He traced lazy circles on her back. “Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows.”  
    “Besides the submissive side you’ve uncovered?”  
    “Smart-ass.” He pinched her butt.  
    Lacy giggled. “Hmm. How about…my dream of making love in a field of wildflowers?”  
    Becker rolled his eyes. “You and every woman on the planet. Not good enough. Try again.”  
    She ducked her head, delving her fingers into his scant chest hair.  
    “It’s hokey.”  
    “Tell me.  
    “I want to be like my Grandma Ingrid.”  
    “Why?”  
    “She’s always happy. Whether she’s living in the woods or in a rest home. She’s never afraid and embraces change. Whereas, I’m scared of change, even when I’m hoping for a fresh start.”  
    A fresh start with him?  
    Surely she wasn’t one of those women who altered their life on a whim after meeting a man? But Lacy had agreed to undertake the hike at the urging of her ex, even with her frightening past experience. “Like moving to Wyoming to live in a shack in the boonies?”  
    “With a real, live mountain man like you?” Her smile didn’t sugarcoat the bitter tone. “That didn’t sound like an invite, Becker.”  
    “Lacy—”  
    “Don’t worry. I’ll be on a plane to LaGuardia in another week. It’s on my mind because I visited Grandma last week. She told me change is good for the soul.”  
    “Your soul doesn’t need to change.”  
    “That’s sweet. But I need a change. So, I made a decision. I’m going to quit my job and take Cat’s offer to manage her store. Then she can concentrate on creating more of these.”  
    Lacy lifted her arm. Her smile died when she realized the charm bracelet was gone.  

    “Omigod!” She leapt up, blood pounding in her ears as she ran to the river. Why hadn’t she noticed it was missing?  
    Because Sam-the-orgasm-man made it impossible to focus on anything else.  
    She frantically sifted through her socks and shoes. Nothing. She scoured the rocks and mud on the bank until her feet were submerged in silt.  
    A large hand circled her upper arm, angrily yanking her back.  
    “What the fuck are you doing?”  
    Lacy shook him off. “Looking for my bracelet.”  
    “The hell you are.”  
    Seeing something shiny, she bent down.  
    And found herself airborne. The sinewy arms circling her waist were striking against her paler bare skin. She gasped. How had she forgotten she was naked?  
    “Becker! Let me down.”  
    Water splashed.  
    She kicked, which increased his grip. She swore, which earned her a solid slap on the ass.  
    He tossed her on the sleeping bag. Imprisoned her flailing arms above her head, using his body on hers as dead weight.  
    “Let me go!”  
    “Not until you’re acting reasonable.”  
    “But my bracelet—”  
    “Is lost.”  
    “So I need to find it!”  
    “Not at the expense of your