Free Uncontrollable (The Nature of Grace, Book 2) by S.R. Johannes Page A

research.”
    Skyler shoots to her feet. “What’s your problem?”
    Instead of saying what I want to say, which is YOU, I act totally innocent. “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t play dumb, Grace,” she growls.
    “Wouldn’t dream of it, Sky . That’s your area of expertise.”
    “Oh really?” She steps closer, giving me a whiff of her perfume.
    Who wears Chanel No. 5 in the woods? I glance at Wyn, who’s now staring off into the trees, avoiding the conflict.
    I point to Romeo. “Besides, he should know wolf scat from deer scat. Don’t you think, Wyn? After all, you are the leader of the team.”
    He frowns and steps between us like we're having a playground duel. “Take it easy, ladies.”
    Skyler eyes him. “Why are you sticking up for her?”
    He faces her and turns his back on me. “I’m not, but you girls bickering out here is not going to get us any warmer.”
    I nod. “He’s right. Wyn knows all the answers out here. Don’t you, Wyn?”
    He tosses me a sharp glance. Not one hint of a smile, which is rare for Wyn, since he has a hard time being serious at a funeral. “Cut it out, Grace.”
    Him saying my name totally catches me off guard. I bet I even stumble back a step or two, like he’s kicked me in the chest. It’s the first time he’s addressed me as a real person since that day at the station when he told me he’d never speak to me again. And I believed him.
    I didn’t realize how much I missed hearing him say my name until now.
    I swallow the lump in my throat and try not to soften at his imaginary blow. “So you do remember my name.”
    The smile I long to see never comes. Instead he looks away, as if he’s stared at the sun too long. “Maybe we should stop and build a fire.”
    I let my voice show the irritation. “Are you serious? It’s only noon. This is the warmest part of the day.”
    Wyn hugs Skyler, and his voice sounds strange, like his mouth is stiff from being half-frozen. “She’s cold.”
    I snap back before I can stop myself. “Because it’s winter .” Then I mumble again. “You guys should have thought of that before you decided to play Tarzan and Jane. Maybe she should just go home .”
    Skyler puts her fuzzy white mittens on her hips, and I can’t tell if her cheeks are pink with cold or anger. “Oh! You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She mouths Graceless behind his back, so he doesn’t hear or see.
    I ignore her and study a few broken branches. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t object.”
    She hops over to me in her furry, non-hiking boots like some snow bunny. I can’t hide my smile when I realize they’re already completely ruined, and it’s only Day One. Maybe she’ll bow out due to a lack of inappropriate footwear, suffer from a little frostbite on her probably perfectly painted toes. Not anything to take off an appendage, but maybe enough to get her out of my face.
    She leans in close. “You just want Wyn alone so you can have him to yourself.”
    I laugh out loud before she can even add a period to her ridiculous sentence. “Ha! Like he’s any better. I’d rather do this alone. Without the catalog couple. By myself.”
    “Well, that can certainly be arranged,” Skyler shouts back. Her voice echoes through the trees.
    I scoff. “Should I be so lucky.”
    Wyn gets between us and grabs Skyler’s hand. “Ladies, this isn’t helping. Let’s just stop fighting and gather some wood so we can warm up. Make a plan.” He looks at Skyler. “Deal?”
    She smiles up at him. “Sure, Wyn.”
    He glances at me.
    I notice his hand in hers and push away any sadness. Instead, I stand at attention and salute the so-called leader. “Yes, sir !”
    Without responding, he frowns and marches off into the woods. As he walks away, I notice the seat of his pants are slightly damp, and I can only assume his butt is freezing cold. I cheer on the inside. Serves him right. Should have worn some real clothes. His Old Navy coat and Levis aren’t going to keep him