Ember went toward the cave to make sure Layla was okay. Slide felt himself beaming, heat moving through his limbs when she used that affectionate term with him. He felt like a teenager who had just been kissed for the first time.
Get yourself together, man! Jesus!
Once Ember had placed the baby into its sling, everyone was ready to go. Jack and Tjon raised Layla into the air. The sun was already shining hot and hard. Slide let Ember lead the way as he watched each of the men follow.
He was glad to see that Dean had built up more stamina and was no longer lingering at the back of the line. He gave Slide a confident nod and smile as he walked by.
Slide was thoroughly impressed by the group, especially because none of them were specifically athletically inclined other than Ember. They wer
