They parted ways once they got back. He gave her a swift peck on the cheek before running to his workshop.

She pulled her hair into a high ponytail, grabbed the map and the bag that still sat by the door, filled it up, and started on her hike.

There was a slight breeze that cooled her as it blew over her sweaty face. After so long, she considered pouring a little water over head.

As she neared the first trap, she found herself slowing her pace and hugging the far side of the path. Continuing on, her hike remained peaceful, the wildlife singing their songs around her.

When the ravine came into sight, she decided to see if she could see anything down into the abyss. Getting as close as she dared, she peeked over just to be disappointed. The daylight disappeared in the hole after a few feet, a black ominous view greeting her. Even with the flashlight she'd remembered to pack, not much more could be seen.

A chill ran up her spine, sending a tingle along her head. She shivered once and then turned away, ready to head back home. The tent and sleeping bag still sat where she'd left them after all and she doubted camping alone was never going to be as fun now that she’d done it with Carter.

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Taking advantage of Sloane's absence, Carter rushed to the cellar.

The woman was crying, curled into a ball. Somehow, she managed to shrink into herself more when she heard him. "Please, let me go."

"Shut up." He worked as fast as he could to clean her wound and change the gauze. It was hard work since she was unwilling to cooperate with him. "I can't wait to let you go."

Her eyes widened at the statement and she propped herself up on an elbow. "You're going to let me go?"

The hope shining in her eyes gave him an idea. "Yeah. But if you would let me help you, things would move along a little faster."

"Okay. Okay. I'll do better." All she needed was some kind of promise that she would be free soon. He smirked in satisfaction, glad she was just as easy to manipulate as all the others had been.

"Let me get your food."

When he returned, he had a tray with a sandwich, fruit, and water. There was a soft tap as he sat the tray on the table.

"Why do I have to have this on me?" The chain clicked as she held up her ankle.

"To keep you from moving around too much. You don't want to hurt yourself any more, right?"

"No."

He couldn't believe that she didn't argue, that she just went along with it. "Okay. I'll be back later to check your leg and bring you some food. Do I need to empty your…"

The woman turned toward the bucket he'd given her to use as a toilet. It remained empty since this was the first meal she'd been willing to consume. "No."

"Okay. Behave." There wasn’t a chance for her to respond as he turned his back on her and left.

Once the padlock was back in place, he rushed to his workshop, hoping Sloane was still in the middle of the woods.

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As the sun started to disappear below the trees, Sloane tried to pick up her pace. Even the flashlight she'd remembered to pack offered a limited line of sight in its yellow beam of light.

Alternating between flashing the light on the path and the map made her hike back slow work - stop, go a few feet, stop, go a few more few. But she had enough patience to stick with it.

Once the house came into view, she turned the flashlight off and tucked her map away. Her heart fluttered as she realized Carter sat on one of the chairs that adorned either side of the door.

"Hey. Did you have a nice hike?" His smile was contagious as he stood and held out his arms.

"Yes." Her smile widened and she lifted her face to his for a kiss before stepping into his embrace.

"Let's go inside."

Hand in hand, they entered the house, Sloane pushing the door closed behind her. Carter led her to the couch before pushing her onto it and flopping himself on the opposite end.

"So, tell me how your hike went." His fingers worked the laces in her boots, removing them from her feet before she even began to talk.

"Mmm…that feels good." She purred, closing her eyes as she relished his fingers massaging her heels.

"Did you walk all of it?"

"No. Just to the ravine and then I came back the way I had gone."

"Why didn't you just walk it all?"

"Well, I wasn't sure I'd have enough time. I mean, it's dark already. Can you imagine what time I'd have gotten back?"

"Makes sense."

"Plus, the more often I repeat the path, the better I'll remember where the traps are."

"You're a smart woman." He gave her a proud smile and worked his hands to her arch.

"Why, thank you." She gave him a small bow before laughing. "I plan to walk the other half tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

There was silence as Carter continued to rub her feet. Her eyes closed again and her head rested against the back of the couch.

"What did you do?"

"Got a few orders done. Gonna get them shipped off in the morning."

"Can I stay? I don't want to start hiking so late tomorrow."

"Yeah. I didn't plan on staying in town."

"Okay."

"I did want to ask you if you want to go with me to this festival in Kowler? It's in a few days. I think you'd enjoy it."

"Of course."

His smile went unnoticed as she still had her eyes closed. Carter finished with her feet and moved up to her calves.

Her moan was his indication that she wasn't sleeping. The massage went on as he worked his way up her body, ending with his fingers rubbing her scalp.

"Wow. I've never had a full body massage. That was incredible."

"Good."

"I'd give you one back, but you just made me the laziest person alive."

They both laughed as he left her on the couch and went to the bathroom.

The sound of water gushing from the faucet was the icing on the cake. She pushed herself up and made her way into the bathroom to see that Carter had candles lit and was adding her favorite bath oil to the tub while in the nude.

"Hmmm…this is a very nice view."

"It'll be a better one when you get naked too."

Feeling relaxed, she took her time removing her clothes before joining him in the tub. She leaned back against him, his arms wrapping around her.

"So, is this a special occasion?"

"It just might be." His whisper tickled her ear, but what made her gasp was that he had slid something onto her left ring finger.

Jerking up, she looked at her hand to see that a gold band, holding a round, violet gray stone in the middle with five small diamonds aligned on one side, graced her ring finger. "Oh my…"

When she whipped around, all she could see on his face, in his eyes, was his love for her.

"My Sloane, I love you more than anyone could ever imagine. I will do everything I can to keep you safe and make you happy. Please, do me the honor of becoming my wife." He had leaned forward, never breaking eye contact with her, and grasped both of her hands in his.

"Oh Carter." Her voice cracked and tears began to flow. "Of course I will. I'll forever be your Sloane."

Happiness bubbled up, uncontained, from each of them as he let out a relieved laugh and she lunged forward to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Sloane. Come on. Let's get you to bed."

But she didn't release her hold on him. After a second, she felt herself being shaken and he repeated his words.

"I donwan…" Her groggy words ran together as she struggled to keep her arms around him. But things were starting to get hazy and the voice was louder.

"Come on."

Strong arms lifted her up and she realized that it had been a dream. One she hoped would come to fruition soon.

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