Lucas struggled to hold the berries in one hand without pinching them to death with the other. It was like threading the eye of a needle.
"There," he grunted, "Gotcha.
"You know, Luke, it's not brain surgery."
"Trade?" Lucas proffered the tiny fruits.
"Well, uh, I'm doing some pretty important stuff right now-you know, with the mushroom things you picked-"
"Morels."
"Whatever." Nate grinned.
"Ya, well these berries are two thirds stem. How do bears even eat these?"
"The stem is basically their serving of greens." Jake folded the last of the bagged coffee portions. "Well, I think it's going to be gentlemen's coffee from now on."
"That bad?" Lucas glanced up, sucking a thumb. "Ow."
"You mean grandma coffee." The younger Scott Brother carelessly knotted his bag. "What's next?"
"Ah-grab those powdered things." Luke tilted his head, trying to take in what little supplies were left. "I hope we're almost back. There's hardly anything on the menu."
"We'll survive on bitter rage and for dessert, the love we share for one another."
Nathan blinked. "You know, Jake, that sounds a lot like something Tim would say."
Lucas smiled. "I think Dan's pretty full."
"Ya." Nate stole another berry. "He's way too full for dessert."
"Sounds like a bunch of old ladies knitting. What is this, a sewing circle?"
It was hot. One could almost be glad of the worn sheer clothes on an afternoon that skyrocketed to ninety something degrees. Dan was sticky, sweaty, bug bitten and generally worn out. The injury to his shoulder had throbbed throughout most of the morning, but he tossed it off. Or tried to.
"You finished here, or should I take a nap?"
"We couldn't decide if that was next or pictures of the grandkids." Nathan tapped his chin. "Wait, it's time to count mushrooms because we're still wandering in the woods."
"You think you do could better?" Dan swept the trio with a dismissive gesture.
"I don't think I could do worse. Any of us, for that matter. We should-"
"Pack up and get started."
Dan caught Lucas' gaze following him. There was a look about him, almost regret. It set Dan's teeth on edge. He didn't need some kid of Karen's feeling sorry for him. Or anybody else, for that matter.
"Let's go. Come on, now! Move!"
Jake bent, tossing all their neat little food stuffs into knapsacks. His voice was only loud enough for Nathan's ears.
"Your dad's bushed."
"We all are." Scott helped Luke draw his arms through the back pack, cinched it tight. Jake was right. This trip was turning into a ridiculous nightmare. In the age of modern technology.
"Nate, I need a break." Lucas sagged against the nearest tree, glad for the support.
"I know." Nathan sucked in a warm lungful of air.
"How much water we got left?"
"Enough to have some." Nathan reached back, twisting the cap off his bottle. "Here. Hot enough to boil eggs."
Lucas eyed the half empty container.
"I think I'd better wait."
"Go on, have some. We're bound to find more."
"Just who knows where this stuff is coming from."
"Downstream from a herd of cows, I don't care. Here."
"No. I'd better wait. It's a long ways 'till night."
Nate reluctantly recapped his supply and sighed. The bare breeze swept over their wet bodies, cooling. It's fingers touched the hair plastered to their foreheads with a caress. Haley...
"Come on."
They pulled each other up, Lucas sparing a tight squeeze to Nathan's fingers.
"Thanks for looking out for me, Nate."
"Some one's got to divert Dad's attention. Besides-you do it well."
The blond offered a faint smile in return.
Brilliant greens, dark soothing tones of brown and mahogany mingled into a Picasso canvas. Flowers and leaves became indistinct, blurred blots of paint. The forest should be red, a burning glow of color. Nature was deceiving. Heat rose from the damp earth in shimmering waves that tilted trees in the distance.
"When we get back, I don't want a word about this to anyone." Dan swung about, sentence directed to the bedraggled trio at his heels.
"You're safe with me." Nathan shrugged, indifferent. He'd known his dad would want to make the call describing every aspect of their harrowing journey. What a hero he'd been. How he'd ridden into peril and fire to save the son of the woman who despised him. Haley would know the truth; that's all that mattered.
"Why?" Jake looked disgusted. "Everybody's done their part. What else is important?" But he knew the answer. Media. Coverage.
"Am I not making myself clear, Jagielski? I'm in charge here. I'll tell them what they need to hear."
"No." Lucas spoke up.
That quiet spoken syllable upset Dan more than anything else. "You owe me." His eyes swept Lucas' face.
"You owe people the truth."
"He's right. I think we stick to what happened." Jake swiped a hand across his forehead. The heat seem to rise in waves, rolling over them in smothering calm. Not a leaf stirred. In the dead stillness, chittering insect voices buzzed incessantly. It made one want to squash something.
"Fine." Dan Scott smiled.
Nathan and Luke exchanged glances of disbelief. Jake coughed.
"Thanks, Dad."
Scott's blond son didn't reply, unwilling to dismiss the look he's seen cross his father's face. Complete control.
Nate was already struggling up the steep trail, grabbing at branches for support. The weight of the bag on his back made climbing uphill sheer fun and games.
"Hey. Hold on." Dan caught Nate's sleeve. "We've got to make something clear." His tone pin pointed Luke, starting after his younger brother. Lucas pretended not to hear, scrambling past the two through the shifting forest floor.
Dan pushed past one son, grabbing the other's arm. Effectively halting Luke's flight.
"I'm in charge of all of you, any of the boys on this trip. It's a school outing, and you have to answer to me or any of the adult's present."
"Ya, sure." Nate moved impatiently. "Can we get started?"
"Not until your two friends agree to what I said."
"Agree to what?" Jake didn't feel like a spectator anymore.
"I handle this. Everything. After all-it's the least you can do."
"I don't know, Mr. Scott. I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like we're going to be on CNN or anything."
"No. He just wants us under his thumb, as usual." Lucas never raised his voice. He didn't need to; Dan was giving him undivided attention.
"I just saved your life."
Luke's response was devoid of bitterness. "You were saving Nathan. You came after me just so you could lord it over my mom."
"I don't even know why I bother. You're as ungrateful as she is."
"Well, she raised me."
"Get back down here. Now, mister. You aren't going anywhere until you and Jake agree to letting me take charge."
" Mr. Scott, if Luke thinks it's a bad idea-"
"Jagielski, I didn't know you had spine. Just don't overuse it."
"Not trying to." Jake's answer was as mild as ever. "But I don't agree. Chalk that up to a bad habit of not being pushed around."
Dan silently reached over, snagging Luke's pack. He had it half off before his eldest realized, tightening his grip.
"Let go."
Luke wore an expression of in credulousness. "You let go."
"Sorry." Dan tugged harder, forcing Lucas backward a pace.
"Um."
The bag see sawed between the two, Lucas having the advantage as it was still looped over his arms. Just as Luke started to pull away, the older Scott released his hold, effectively throwing the blond to the ground. Dan stepped over him, yanking the bag free.
"Okay." He was barely breathing heavy. "This is the way it goes. You want your clothes? You want to eat? Fine. You do what I say, my way. Otherwise-" he dangled the sack over Luke's head- "I guess you go hungry."
"Dad, come on." Nathan reached for the bag, only to have it swung away. "This is dumb."
"Well?" Dan Scott cast his question to Lucas, still staring up at him with dark, hard eyes. "Want your shirt back?"
"I don't need it." Lucas rose stiffly to his feet, ironic smile marking the smooth planes of his face.
"How did I know you'd be the foolish one."
"Just a good guess." He brushed his hands across the threadbare knees of his jeans.
"I agree with Luke." Nathan suddenly took sides, backing against his brother.
"Forget it, Nate. You don't hate me enough to stick with it." Dan mentally brushed him aside.
Something struck Dan across the back, hard enough to make him wince. Nathan's bag.
"You know I don't eat when it's hot outside."
"Suit yourself."
When the travelers had regrouped, Jake fell in line behind the siblings.
"Let's see how long he can keep up with three of those packs."
Luke nodded. "It'll be longer than you'd expect."
"But he's no superhero." Jake winked. "Dan just thinks he is."