the first scream is enough to make shane abandon the deer he’d been tracking.
one second the forest is quiet except for birds chirping and rustling leaves, the next he’s crashing through brush toward the campsite with his knife already in hand, expecting something much worse than what he finds. you’re standing on top of a log beside the tent, pointing so hard your whole arm shakes. “snake,” you choke out.
shane follows your finger, spots the little coil in the grass a few feet away, and lets out the smallest sigh “that’s what we’re yellin’ about?”
“it ain’t,” he says, strolling forward like he’s taking an evening walk instead of approaching the thing currently ruining your life. “it’s a snake.”
before you can protest again, he steps in, so quick and casual that it’s over almost before you register he’s moved. a second later he’s nudging it farther into the brush with a stick, making sure it’s no longer anywhere near camp. then he turns back toward you. you’re still on the log.
he folds his arms. “you plannin’ on livin’ up there now?”
he snorts. “gonna build yourself a little cabin?”
you glare at him. “you’re making fun of me.”
you cross your arms just as stubbornly. “I hate snakes.”
“I figured’” he walks over anyway, stopping close enough that you can reach for him if you want. when you don’t climb down after a few seconds, he lifts an eyebrow. “need rescuin’, princess?”
your cheeks warm, but you nod. without another word, he reaches up, settles his hands around your waist, and lifts you off the log like you weigh nothing at all. your boots hit the ground, but you don’t let go of him. instead your fingers bunch in the fabric of his shirt as your eyes dart nervously around the clearing.
“it’s gone.” he tries to calm you.
“I'm not gonna let anythin’ get near you, sweetheart"
you smack his shoulder. he laughs under his breath, low and pleased, before pulling you just a little closer anyway. “c’mon,” he murmurs. “i’ll check around the tent if it helps.”
he does a slow lap through the campsite, kicking through patches of grass and peeking under the nearby logs until he’s satisfied there’s nothing left to surprise you. only then does he return, dusting off his hands.
you finally relax enough to breathe. shane tilts his head, pretending to study you. “reckon I deserve thanks for savin’ your life.”
“my life wasn’t in danger.”
“sure looked like it from where I was standin’.”
you roll your eyes but step closer, slipping your hand into his. he squeezes once, thumb softly brushing over your knuckles. “next time,” he says with a crooked grin, “just holler my name instead of alertin’ the entire forest.”
“next time I see a snake, i’m climbing you instead of the log.”
his smile widens. “well,” he says, lacing your fingers together as he starts leading you back toward the fire, “that almost makes the snake worth it.”
