Chapter Eighteen
“OK, guys, let’s get going.”
Zane started to lead the group out for the night trek from Carrdale. They had twenty people booked on this, the first of many planned night orienteering treks they were running from the Centre. Everyone was armed with maps showing the details of where to find each of the numbered points on the course. Now they just had to use their brains and their compasses to guide themselves around the course, visiting each of the points in order.
Matt and Zane had set up and done this course themselves. Initially in daylight as they’d worked out the course and fixed the numbered orienteering markers, and then again in the dark so they could test that it all still worked OK and would be safe for their customers.
Zane had split the group roughly into three. Matt would be taking the first group, Dave the second group, and Zane the last one. That was the group that just happened to contain Faith. Knowing how much she loved her trekking, and knowing also how little time she’d had to get out and do any over the past few weeks, Zane had invited Faith along to their inaugural night trek.
As they made their way towards the first marker post on the course, Zane tried to keep his mind centred on the group and not on Faith. Perhaps inviting her along had been a mistake. Whenever she was around he struggled to concentrate on whatever he was supposed to be doing. Yes, he’d struggled with the idea she might have had a serious past with Matt, but that hadn’t been the only reason he’d struggled with taking their relationship further.
In truth, he was scared. Scared of history repeating itself. Scared of her eventually finding out the truth about why he was terrified of getting heavily involved. But now, he knew, he’d gone past the point of no return. He couldn’t hold back from Faith. He had no choice; he had to go ahead with their relationship, and risk whatever consequences it might have.
His group reached the first marker and started to discuss the best route to the next one. He stood back, letting them work it out for themselves. Tonight he was there simply in a supervisory capacity, to ensure everyone’s safety and help them out if they really got stuck. It was down to them to work the course out for themselves as much as possible. Watching Faith and the group as they checked the map, Zane knew they wouldn’t need his help. Faith was checking her compass and saying what she thought was the best way to the next marker. Zane felt inexplicably proud of how quickly she’d worked it all out.
One of the men in the group began to explain his own theory. He was clearly not convinced by Faith’s, and she looked up, seeking Zane’s eyes, looking for him to say if she was right or not. Meeting her gaze he smiled and then slightly nodded his head to confirm that she was right. Her answering smile made him want to tell the rest of the group to sort things out for themselves, grab her hand and lead her off into the woods for something far more exciting than a night trek.
Stop it, he told himself. You’ll just have to keep your hormones under control.
Knowing she was correct, Zane watched as Faith asserted her theory about the best way to the next marker post once again. The group decided to go with her suggestion.
At just after ten o’clock the group arrived back at the Centre and headed for the rec room where tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits were waiting for them. After making sure everyone had drinks, snacks and was happy, Zane made his way over to Faith who was nursing a mug of hot chocolate in the corner of the room.
“You were very impressive out there tonight,” he said, wanting to kiss her but thinking it was probably best if he didn’t. Not here. Not now, when he was, technically, still at work. No, he’d save that kiss for later.
“It was all down to team work.”
“Yeah, right.” Zane leaned forward to whisper in her ear so none of the other people in the room could hear. “We both know that’s not true. You were brilliant. I love a woman who knows how to use a compass properly. And, in case you’re wondering, that’s not a euphemism.”
Faith laughed. “Look, I know you’re flat out running the café. But if you ever fancy a bit of part-time work at the Centre, helping us out with leading treks or orienteering groups, just say the word. I know you’ve already got all your First Aid training and that side of things covered, due to your work at the café, and you already know what you’re doing out there with compasses and maps and all that stuff. I’m qualified to take you through basic level outdoor activity leadership training, and the necessary health and safety stuff, then you’d be good to go.”
“Seriously?” Faith asked before drinking the last of her hot chocolate.
Zane nodded. “Seriously. You’re more than capable. Any time, just say the word.”
“If I did some part-time work at the Centre,” Faith mused, looking him in the eye, leaning slightly closer to him, “that would make you my boss.”
“And would that be a problem?” He knew she was flirting with him. And he was loving every second of it.
She held his gaze and a smile flickered around her lips. “That depends what the Centre’s policies and rules are on getting involved with employees.”
Zane swallowed and looked away. How much did he dare do and say in a rec room full of Carrdale customers when he was supposed to be working? Pretending that he was leaning past her to put his mug on the table, he quickly slipped one hand around her waist and leaned in close enough to kiss her on the neck. “I’d create my own set of rules for you,” he whispered.