Chaos Theory (Nerds of Paradise #2)(26)

“Hey, maybe we’ll find some fossils while we’re hiking through the forest,” Jogi suggested.

“If we do, sounds like that will distract Laura out of the competition,” Sandy said.

“I don’t know how any of you are going to stay focused on winning what amounts to a race with all that natural beauty around you,” Calliope said.

Prickles raced down Melody’s back. She snuck a sideways look at Will. “I’m not going to get distracted,” she said. “We’re going in there on a mission, right Will?”

Will took a bite of sausage, giving himself plenty of time to chew before answering, “Right.”

Melody and Calliope exchanged grins.

“I just wish there were a way to ensure all of your safety,” Luna said with uncharacteristic worry. “You’re all going to be out there in the wilderness, basically lost.”

“That is the general idea of orienteering,” Jogi said.

Luna’s face pinched to even greater concern. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first person to promote the benefits of spending time in nature, exploring what this earth has to offer. But Nature is unpredictable. You could run into anything out there.”

“That’s why we’ve had training, Mom,” Melody said. “They even told us what to do if we run into lions and tigers and bears.”

“Oh my!” Calliope added. The two of them giggled.

Luna arched a motherly eyebrow at them. “I’m not worried about the tigers, but you might very well run into lions or bears.”

“We’ve been given instructions to keep our distance from all wildlife, Mrs. Clutterbuck,” Sandy reassured her.

“And we’ll all have emergency walkie-talkies with built in GPS locators in case we need to call for help,” Jogi added. When Sandy sent him an approving nod, he dropped his fork.

“GPS locators?” Luna perked up, looking at least a little more at ease.

“Yep, Mom, someone back here is going to know where all of us are at all times,” Melody said. “So unless there’s some major catastrophe or we lose our devices, it’s impossible for us to get lost.”

“Even though the whole point of the competition is to be lost?” Calliope teased.

“I’ll take care of her, Mrs. Clutterbuck,” Will cut in before Melody and Calliope could get into another back and forth. Melody’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to Will, blinking in surprise. “I’ll make sure she gets back safely.”

Under any other circumstances in the history of the world, Melody would have been offended at a man standing up and saying he was going to take responsibility for her when she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But considering the tug-o-war the two of them had been engaged in for the past few weeks, it was a compliment that he wanted to look out for her.

“And I’ll make sure that Will crosses the finish line in one piece,” she added for good measure.

She turned to smile at him, only to find a puzzled frown on his face. All of the happiness she’d nurtured since his apology flattened. That frown better not mean he disapproved of her again.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Howie’s call from the doors of the gym drowned any further discussion of the topic. “Competitors and family, I just want to extend a quick welcome to you.”

A few people shouted “Good morning” at Howie or applauded. Howie waved them to silence and went on.

“The busses that will take the competitors up to Shoshone National Forest are waiting outside. No rush, though. You’ve got thirty minutes to finish your breakfast and get ready.”

“That’s no rush?” Sandy snorted.

“Competitors, you’ll all be checked before you board the bus to make sure you’re not carrying any contraband,” Howie went on.

“Contraband?” Luna laughed. “He sure is taking this seriously.”

“Hey, a good pen knife might be the difference between winning and losing,” Jogi said.

“But don’t worry,” Howie continued, “the backpacks you’ll be dropped with have everything you could possibly need, including a couple changes of clothes in the sizes you indicated. They’ll have your cameras too. Let’s not forget the competition within the competition.”

“That’s the part I’m really looking forward to,” Jogi said. “I’m a bit of an amateur photographer.”

“Are you?” Sandy looked at him, brows raised.

He didn’t have time to answer. “There are a few other surprises in your backpacks too,” Howie went on.

“Oh, Lord,” Sandy muttered, but Melody could see the spark of excitement in her eyes.

“So finish up, and I’ll see you out at the busses.” Howie waved, then stepped over to the buffet line.

The room filled with conversation again.

“I truly hope you have bear spray in those backpacks he’s talking about,” Luna said.

“Or lion spray?” Calliope suggested.

They laughed, but in the back of Melody’s mind, she hoped there would be something they could use to protect themselves too. As nice as it was to think that Will would protect her, she had the nagging feeling that he would need protecting on an entirely different level. She watched him as he finished his breakfast, then followed him to return their plates and silverware. He was far too tense to explain it all away with the competition before them. Sure, guys liked to get into the zone before they competed in just about anything, but instinct told Melody Will’s silence meant more.