Chapter Twenty

Day 13

The next morning, cold mist enveloped the bottom of the canyon. Storm sat outside, the heat from his cup of coffee warming his hand. Around the camp, he heard the sounds of life—a clank of a pan, shoes walking over gravel, laughter floating through the air.

His breakfast had been large and hearty, which made him assume today would be even more grueling than yesterday.

At six am, all eight remaining contestants received their envelopes.

When Storm read his clue, he inwardly groaned.

Hike back up the Angel Trail. The South Rim Visitor Center holds your next clue. Along the way, take a picture of a mountain goat, a condor, and the Colorado River. Fill your water bottles and bring food for the journey.

On the hike out of the canyon, he strived to get out ahead of the pack. Luckily, Colleen was up for the challenge. He didn’t want to leave her, not yet. Delay for as long as possible—that tactic formed his plan.

He hiked alongside Colleen through the mist until the sun shone bright enough to burn off the fog. The air temperature climbed with the sun. At their steady pace, the hike was long and grueling. After an hour, he suggested they stop and rest, but only long enough to eat a protein bar and take a drink. He couldn’t risk being passed by other contestants.

He took the required pictures, which was the easiest part of their task. Both he and Colleen pushed their bodies hard. Using their hiking poles, they navigated up the steep grade. Every so often, Colleen would rest her hand on his arm, and he’d craved the contact. Those brief moments didn’t last nearly long enough.

After eight hours of hiking, Storm crested the ledge of the canyon. He took a moment to glance down at everything he’d conquered. His legs were about to give out, but he still felt like the King of the Canyon.

“Storm, come here for the next clue,” Colleen yelled.

He jogged over to join her and accepted the paper from her hand.

Take a trip to the Eiffel Tower. Ride to the top that overlooks the Strip. Search from above for the red flag that marks the location of your clue.

“We’re going to Vegas, baby.” He lifted Colleen in his arms and swung her around. A renewing surge of energy filled him. “How about we get hitched? You know what they say…what happens in Vegas—” As soon as the words left his mouth, he wished to take them back. Underneath the teasing tone was truth. He wanted her, more than he cared to admit.

“Won’t stay in Vegas.” Frowning, she reached over and pinched his lips together. “Nobody is getting married on this trip, unless you propose to a showgirl.”

He imagined Colleen dressed in a showgirl outfit, causing his heart to palpitate. After day dreaming about Colleen for the entire four-hour drive to Las Vegas, he finally approached the Strip. The action reignited his exhausted body and mind.

Did he have enough time to find a parking structure, to walk to the Eiffel Tower, and then find the next clue before curfew? Neon lights chased away the darkness of night, which created a pseudo daylight. He parked and walked with Colleen to the structure. After taking the elevator to the top, he stood on the observation deck and searched the sparkling city below for the next clue. Both he and Colleen looked for fifteen minutes with no luck. His anxiety grew by the second. Time was running out.

He raked his gaze over buildings, sidewalks, lit billboards, and even pedestrians below. Where the heck was that stupid flag? A flash of red caught his eye. Finally!

For a second, he considered not sharing his find with Colleen. At this point in the competition, he shouldn’t help anyone, least of all his primary competition. But what kind of man would he be if he ran off without her? “The flag is on that castle turret.”

“The Excalibur Hotel. We’ll have to run to get there before the curfew.” Colleen sprinted back to the glass elevator.

Once his feet were firmly back on the terra firma, he darted down the sidewalk. He weaved in and out of the pedestrian traffic clogging his path. Time was ticking away like a bomb.

At the escalator outside the Excalibur, he bounded up the moving steps then across the bridge leading to the hotel. Colleen’s footsteps sounded from behind.

“Do you see the clue?” He adjusted the straps of his backpack to keep it from slipping off. While running, the heavy sack bounced on his back, practically knocking the wind from his lungs.

“No.” Colleen sprinted alongside him. “Maybe the clue’s in the hotel.”

Inside the lobby, he found the space huge and overwhelming. The loud noise of multiple voices echoed through the air. Storm spun in a desperate search for a red flag.

Colleen approached the information desk and spoke with one of the well-dressed women behind the counter.

Smart woman, which made him almost as smart for staying with her.

After a minute, she ran back. “We have to go to the Tournament of Kings. What if they make us joust?”

“That would be awesome.” He followed her to the doors to the tournament hall and found a red flag marking their next clue.

Tonight, ye shall joust. Better yet, a champion shall joust in your place. Pick a colored ribbon at your table. Once your color’s champion has won a jousting match, you receive your next clue. Rooms are booked for all contestants at the Excalibur Hotel. Be ready to leave by six tomorrow morning.

“Come, my fair maiden. Let us partake in some food and sport.” His English accent bordered on hideous.

Smiling, Colleen rested her hand in the crook of his arm. “Yes, my brave knight. I am so very famished.”

Storm bent to kiss her hand, and his lips sparked on contact. The rest of his body caught fire at the heated look in her eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the cameraman standing off to the side. If they weren’t being filmed at the moment, he’d do more than kiss her hand. Too bad. Guess his willpower had to last a few days longer. Once the show concluded filming, he planned on showing Colleen how drastically his feelings had change course, like a ship heading home.