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safety. You don’t even know when you lost it, do you?”  
    “No.”  
    “I’m responsible for you and you aren’t chancing another unexpected swim in the river for a trinket. Are we clear on that?”  
    Sam’s eyes were clouded with concern, not anger.  
    Finally Lacy nodded. She hid her face. Frustrated tears leaked out.  
    She knew Sam was right. But dammit, that bracelet wasn’t a trinket. It’d meant something to her. Something he didn’t understand.  
    Sam tenderly kissed the top of her head, folded her in his arms and let her bawl.  
    When the crying jag ended, he handed her a canteen.  
    She took a tiny sip.  
    “Drink more,” he demanded.  
    “No. I’m hungry and confused, not thirsty. I’m—” Lacy started sobbing again.  
    “Ssh. You’re just tired.”  
    She felt like an idiot for many reasons, but mostly for needing Sam to stick around. “You’ll—”  
    “Be right here.”  
    “Okay.” Before she drifted off, she whispered, “Since I lost the bracelet, that means I’m doomed to repeat past mistakes, doesn’t it?”  
    Sam stroked her hair. “Don’t worry. Just rest.”

    While Lacy dozed, Becker dressed and dragged deadfall for the fire.  
    Two days had passed. They were out of food. Hiking out tomorrow until they reached something resembling civilization was a must. Dave might’ve already sent out a search team.  
    He glanced at Lacy. Possession rolled through him like a hot wind.  
    They’d created a connection deeper than phenomenal sex. Would their lives be simpler if he could cart her off into the woods and keep her to himself forever?  
    Nice fantasy. He couldn’t even feed or protect her for the short-term.  
    Speaking of…why hadn’t Lacy demanded that he hunt or fish to fill their rumbling bellies?  
    Did Lacy suspect he wasn’t an outdoorsman, but a suit-and-tie wearing workaholic? Since it appeared she’d given him her blind trust, how would she react when she found out he’d deceived her?  
    She’d be upset. He never wanted to see hurt in her big blue eyes.  
    He picked up her socks and shoes. Her shorts. He grabbed her shirt and tried to turn it right-side-out. Something was caught on the inside and he gently shook. Charms jingled as the missing bracelet fell from inside the shirt and hit the dirt.  
    Becker froze. Thank God. Now maybe she’d lose the forlorn look.  
    Maybe she’d get inventive in the naughty ways she’d show her gratitude that he’d found it.  
    But what if…he didn’t hand it over? What if finding her talisman was his sign that the changes he’d been searching for started with her? His mother claimed destiny and blind faith were intertwined. Alone the fragile threads could snap. Together they were a steel cable. He fingered the twisted silver chain.  
    Romantic nonsense? Or the leap of faith he’d been lacking?  
    Destiny aside, he needed a plan. How could he convince her these past days meant more than a random romp in the woods?  
    It hit him. Dave had Lacy’s address on file. After she returned to Manhattan, Becker could show up at her place, bracelet in hand. Confess his true “city slicker” identity. They could start fresh. Go out for a latte or something.  
    Right. Like a civilized coffee date would cut it after screwing like wild animals in the forest.  
    What to do?  
    Wait, which he was lousy at. He shoved the bracelet in his backpack for the time-being and hoped he hadn’t already screwed this up.  

    Half a protein bar didn’t slake Lacy’s hunger. Sam hadn’t complained about the lack of food. He hadn’t said much either.  
    There were plenty more interesting things to do besides talk.  
    Did she have the guts to make the first move?  
    The fire crackled. Sam caught her leering as he swiped a damp bandana over his face. “What?”  
    Lacy swallowed the fear that surly Becker had returned and would rebuff her. “I watched you cleaning up in the stream yesterday.”  
    “You