“If you use the words ‘reverse cowgirl’ in a report to Jillian, I will give you all of the pie you will ever want.”

Dani sighed over the remnants of a none-too-cheap undergarment. “You destroyed my sports bra. The girls are going to need support if I’m going to make the hike back to the truck. I refuse to free-boob it.”

Zed reached into his pack and pulled out a small plastic box. “I brought a sewing kit in my backpack. I’ll double stitch it back together.”

“You brought a sewing kit?”

“I knew I was going out to the woods with you. The chances of one of our clothes getting ripped off was pretty high,” he said.

“You know, I thought the condom was sort of presumptuous, but this is next level.”

Zed stood, taking the bra shreds from her hands, and kissing her thoroughly. “I prefer to think of it as ‘preparing in hope.’ Also, I happen to adore your ‘girls’ and wouldn’t want any harm to come to them.”

He ducked his head and kissed the top of each of her breasts.

“I don’t know whether to be charmed or annoyed,” she confessed.

“I will accept a mix of both. How about we go back and clean up a little bit, I’ll take you to the pie shop for dinner and make it up to you?”

She shrugged. “Nah, I’m good. I think I just want to go back home. Have a wash. Write up my notes and then drink about a gallon of water.”

An expression of hurt bent his features into unhappy lines, but he busied himself, stitching her bra back together. True to his word, his hands worked quickly at whipping the needle through her damaged support garment.

Dani slipped into her pants and boots, feeling a little silly to be standing topless in the swamp like some victim in a scary movie. “I just have a lot of work that needs to get done. I don’t really have time for a dinner out. Rain check?”

Zed smiled, and handed her the remade bra. “Sure, no problem. Ready to go home?”

She slid the bra over her head, impressed that it stayed together over the strain of her breasts. “Do you do alterations? I have a dress that needs to be re-hemmed.”

“Smart ass.” He slapped her on the butt and then held out her backpack like a ladies’ coat, for her to slide into.

7

Dani

It became Dani’s habit to visit the rift site every other morning, stopping at the magique line so she wasn’t at risk for passing out. She needed to map the rift in her mind, to feel its vulnerabilities and figure out how to mend each one. It was arduous, painstaking work that took a lot out of her, so she alternated with days off, just to keep her strength up.