I had been released from the hospital the day before and was back in my room at the Lodge. Due to the circumstances, the front desk had told us our stay had been extended if we needed. I was feeling much better, but I still had not been able to see Colt or figure out if he was okay. None of the doctors or nurses would tell me his room number or give me any update on him which was extremely frustrating.

I kept wandering around the lodge, hoping to run into his mom, not that I would necessarily know it was her, but I had to do something that felt productive. I figured she was spending all her time at the hospital, which made sense but had me worried. I was determined to see Colt though and know if he was okay, so after my random running around in search of her, I decided to just camp out at the front desk. I wanted to know as soon as his mom came back.

I am sure I annoyed the poor staff by my constant presence which included a lot of pacing, but I didn't care. Mark said we needed to leave the following day for work, and I couldn't go without seeing Colt at least one more time. I had to talk to him.

I had to thank him for saving my life.

"Miss Campbell?"

My name being called had me on my feet in an instant. I rushed over to the desk.

"Yes. That's me."

"I am aware Miss Campbell as you have been here for the last two hours." A small smirk tugged at her red painted lips.

"Of course. Sorry. Is there any news on Colt?"

"Mrs. Walker just called and will be here in a few minutes."

"Great! Thank you so much. I will just be...over here. Still waiting."

A knowing smile overcame her features and she gave me a quick nod before answering another call. I sat back down on the brown leather couch, my knee bouncing up and down from the movement of my foot.

What felt like an eternity, but I am sure was only a few minutes, a beautiful older woman stepped into the waiting area. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a bun, a few stray pieces framing her round face. I recognized her from my stay and knew she had to be Colt's mother.

She looked around the room, searching for something, until her eyes landed on mine, her face lighting up in the same moment. She approached me as if we were long lost friends.

"You must be Grace."

I nodded as she pulled my hand into both of hers and held onto it.

"Mrs. Walker, I am sorry for practically stalking you. Its just that, I haven't been able to see Colt, and I wanted to make sure he was alright. I couldn't think of any other way to get in contact with him."

She patted my hand, shaking her head. The twinkle in her eyes reminded me of Colt. She swiped her hand across her forehead, pushing a few small strands of hair off her face.

"Please, call me Emily. And don't you worry about it. Stalk away. I have been wanting to see you also. Colt has been asking about you."

"He has?"

"Of course." She winked, as if I was missing some sort of inside joke.

"How is he?"

"He's doing better. He was allowed to come home today. But he will be resting until his leg heals a bit more."

It felt as if I had been holding my breath since my hand slipped out of his the day we were found. The news he was okay had me breathing much easier.

"That's great news. Is there any way I can see him? I don't want to have to leave without saying goodbye."

Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone before I could decipher it. She gently smiled and released my hand.

"Of course dear. He would love to see you. Why don't you come by for dinner?"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose. Plus, my boyfriend and I have dinner plans."

"Nonsense, it would be no imposition at all. Bring him along, he is welcome to come."

"Well if you are sure it is okay, thank you. We would love to."

"Great, its settled. Laura at the front desk will give you my address. I must go and take care of a few things here before heading out." She paused before pulling me into an embrace.

"It was so nice to meet you dear. I am so glad you are both okay."

I headed straight to my room to tell Mark and get ready. I was extremely anxious to see Colt, but I was not sure what was fueling those emotions. I just knew I needed to see him in person before I would be satisfied that he was okay.

I also desperately needed to talk to him. But I preferred to do that without Mark near. There was something deep within myself begging me to find out what that kiss meant to Colt, and I couldn't leave without knowing. If I was being honest with myself, I wasn't sure I wanted to leave at all, and that thought scared me more than the bear had.

When I got to the room, Mark was packing up some of our belongings. With some apprehension, I headed to the bed and sat next to the suit case.

"Packing up already?"

"Yes. I want to get a head start. We need to leave here by nine in the morning to catch our flight. Besides, I'm beyond ready to leave. I would be surprised if you didn't feel the same."

"Why would you be surprised?"

"Seriously Grace? You were lost in that awful wilderness for days. I would think you would want to get as far away from here as possible."

"Right." I forced a small laugh. "Of course. I definitely wouldn't book that excursion in the future."

He shot me a narrowed look out the corner of his eye before turning his focus back on folding.

"Before you pack everything away, I actually came up to tell you I found Colt's mom."

"Who?" He stopped packing, giving me his full attention.

"Colt. The man who I was lost with. The one who saved me."

"Oh, right, of course. Sorry, its been a long few days."

I nodded and continued. "Anyway, she invited us over for dinner tonight so that I could check on Colt and thank him."

He sighed, moving the suitcase over. The bed dipped as he sat down next to me.

"Grace, I would prefer we ate by ourselves tonight. We have an early morning, and I have not got enough time with you to myself. I honestly don't even want you out of my sight right now."

I reached out and grabbed his hand. "I am so sorry to have worried you. I really am. But this is important to me Mark. I need to make sure he is okay. And I owe him my life. I would not have made it back without him. Surely you can understand?"

He stared at me for several moments, his gaze bouncing across my face as if assessing my statement.

"Okay. You're right. I would also like to thank him for bringing my Grace back. Let me get showered and dressed."

"Thank you." I smiled and he leaned over to place a chaste kiss on my cheek before getting up and heading to the bathroom.

I went over to the closet where some of my clothes still hung to find an outfit I was satisfied with. I decided on a red romper with a scooped neckline, a tie waist belt, and sheer chiffon sleeves. It was one of my more dressier outfits I had brought that was still casual enough I didn't feel overdone. I checked the mirror, fluffing my hair and running my hands down my sides to smooth the material.

I was suddenly feeling very nervous to see Colt again. Butterflies swarmed my stomach, and I wanted to convince myself they weren't from knowing I was going to be close to him. After all, I had become so good at lying to myself through the years, I didn't even know I was doing it.

That was at least, until Colt.

What do you think will happen when Gtace and Colt see each other again? Will feelings be realized or ignored? Well I know we are missing them together either way, so stick around to find out❤

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