East of Redemption (Love on the Edge #2) by Molly E. Lee Page A

scrounge up something to eat, to get a bit of energy back that we lost on the climb today.”
    Talking to my audience had become natural early on, but there was a difference in my attempts to connect with them on this shoot. I knew it could be my last chance to do so, and that put a sharp edge to every decision I made. I motioned for Rain to stay put while I scavenged the surrounding area, scooping up long sticks and fallen brush from the trees. Sweat popped from my brow, and I had to remove my hat to wipe it away. Today’s climb had started to sink into my body, as did the lack of food or water since this morning. My muscles ached and strained with each movement, and my tongue was nearly dry.
    I carted my haul over to a good flat area right up against the mountainside and smacked the hard, rock wall. “This wall will serve as a great defense against the winds,” I said and began the work of making the shelter.
    I threaded the more flexible sticks through the longer, thicker ones, until I had a decent-sized piece of woven-together wood, and leaned it against the mountainside. “This isn’t much, but it will help shelter me from the cold, and any wildlife that may wander by.” I took chunks out of the large pile of brush I had and packed it against the openings in the stick wall, and behind it where it connected with the rock. “And this leafy brush will help insulate the small area.” I dusted off my hands after securing the last piece and slipped inside, back first. My knees were unprotected, but my core and up would be covered. “As you can see it’s not the grandest of shelters, but with what little I have to use, plus the energy I’m running low on, it’ll do.” I crawled out. “Now, we have to build a fire, and hopefully I’ll get some rest tonight. Finding water will be my main priority tomorrow, as I can already feel the effects of dehydration settling in.” I motioned to my head, before touching my lips. “My head is aching, and my lips are cracked. Locating a water source when you’re stranded will be the key to your survival. So while we try to evade our friends down there”—I cut my eyes in the general direction I knew Corrine’s team to be, most likely setting up camp as well with the lowering sun—“water will be the main focus.”
    Rain remained silent as I explained each step I took to start the fire, using the brush as kindling and the dry sticks to rub together. It took me an hour, but I finally got the brush to smoke, and I very gently blew on it until a flame caught. Every time I felt the heat from a fire I created with only what was around me sent adrenaline flowing through my veins. Though I’d done it hundreds of times, it wasn’t an exact science, and each time was a huge victory.
    “Fire.” I smiled at the camera, holding up the small flame that burned in my brush-bundle before I set it against the larger pile of sticks surrounded with rocks that I had made near my shelter. “This will also help keep wildlife away, and the heat isn’t bad, either. Now, if only I could find something to roast on it, it’d be a really good day.” I glanced around, the sky turning purple with dusk. “I’m about to lose the light, though, so hunting is out of the question. Perhaps tomorrow I can wrangle something. Or who knows, maybe King Solomon’s treasure trove has a good burger joint inside.” I chuckled at my own joke, hoping it registered with viewers if this ever got to air. “One can dream. And on that note, I think I’ll sign off now, and try to get some sleep. Until tomorrow.”
    I reached up and flicked the off button on my own GoPro and Rain followed suit.
    “You’re a natural,” she said.
    I shrugged. “I’ve been doing this for a while.”
    “It’s like you were always meant to.”
    “How are you feeling?” I asked, my eyes trailing her body, wondering if she felt as bad as I did.
    She rubbed the back of her neck before slipping off her pack. “I thought I was in