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Jake and Angella made steady progress throughout the day. Though the wind was frigid and the hard ground and broken limbs tore both of their feet into bloody hamburger, they felt good being together. Somehow even in the darkest of times having someone by your side that you can trust makes everything seem ok. At times they even laughed as they both exchanged stories of their hometowns, and of their childhood exploits. The sun was shining bright, and the trees were silent save for the rustle of the dead leaves as they danced in the breeze.

Hours passed, and at last they found a side of the ravine that was gentle enough to climb. Though it wasn't as steep of a slope as the one that Clive had to climb, it was still treacherous. The sandy soil held the sparse grass very loosely, and on more than one occasion Jake had to quickly grab a hold of Angella's wrist to keep her from tumbling backwards. Unconcerned about modesty in the presence of a naked blind girl, he used the last bit of clothing he had, his tattered white Hanes briefs, to form a tow rope between her wrist and his.

"Careful," He warned, "if anyone sees me like this I might well die of embarrassment and drag you down with me." His uneasy laugh told her that there was a part of him that was very serious about the matter, but she laughed in return and he felt silly for worrying.

"Don't worry hun. Most hunters around these parts are men, so I doubt they'll even notice you." He smiled at her, though she could not see. Something was blossoming in his chest, a warm glow that suffused his being, and it grew every time he heard her sweet voice. "Besides, I could tell from the way you held me as you led me through the woods that you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Jake blushed, stunned speechless, he merely crouched on the side of the embankment and stared at her in shock and awe. She laughed.

"Why Mr. Hero, I do believe I can feel you blushing all the way over here. Don't tell me that a woman has never spoken to you that way before?"

Jake tried to recall if in fact any ever had, and he supposed that they did, but they were just girls at the lodge. He'd never felt his heart pound in his chest like it was at this moment, he'd never felt the all consuming desire to hold them the way he felt about her now. He tried to speak, tried to think of some kind of witty comeback like he'd seen the other guys say when they flirted, but he couldn't think of any; he tried to talk but it felt like his mouth was full of cotton.

"Oh wow, don't tell me that you're," She paused as if the word was a stigma of some sort, "a virgin?"

Now Jake was embarrassed. If there was a place he could hide he'd run there; if he could escape her obvious ridicule he would. He felt his heart sink. He fought back the tears that welled up in his eyes and did his best to laugh, but it was strangled by the sudden tightness of his throat.

Learn more about this author, Vincent Culp.
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