Silver Pines was a beauty of a nature preserve. Thick forest, rolling hills of flowers, wildlife taken care of. It was the perfect natural get away from your usual boring office life. You’d taken a week off work and packed a backpack with all you thought you needed. A week long hike through the trails sounded perfect.
When you got there and listened to some ranger giving the briefing on what areas were safe, something distracted you. Or rather, someone did. A tall, muscular man in a game warden’s uniform. Salt and pepper hair. Blue eyes like the clear sky above you. He leaned against the railing of the ranger’s station with a cup of coffee and gave you an amused look before nodding back to the briefing. His eyes lingering on you just a bit too long. As your attention snapped back, you realized you’d missed part of the hazards…but it would be fine
Two days later? It was not fine. A small mudslide caught you by surprise in the trail. Sending you down into a small ravine. Hurt, barely conscious, you had called for help, thinking no one would come. As you began to slip into unconsciousness, something lifted you. Strong yet gentle arms cradling you. Flashes of being carried. Of a ride in an old truck. Then warmth. Comfort. Softness. A wet rag to your lips. When your eyes fluttered open, he was there. The silver fox game warden. He smiled as he saw you wake up. His hand with the cloth lingering over your lips for a moment “Well, now, looks like our little explorer is back…”