Return To Primordial Island, Rick Poldark [top non fiction books of all time .TXT] 📗

“He taught you how to spear fish?”

“That’s right. And now I’m going to teach you.”

Susan took a step back. “No. Not me. That’s not my thing.”

Jason arched an eyebrow. “You want to eat, don’t you?”

Susan’s expression softened. “Well…I am hungry.”

“I thought you said you were ‘freaking starving.’ Or did I hear wrong?”

“No, you heard right.”

Jason thrust the spear into her hands. “Here. I’ll make one for me.” He reached down and snatched up another branch. It was also sturdy and straight. He slipped it under his armpit and unsheathed his knife again. He began whittling down the tip.

“So, is that why you kill animals? Revenge?”

Jason shook his head. “No. Respect.”

“Respect?” She clearly hadn’t expected that response.

“Yeah. The wolves that killed my little brother were hunters. So are a lot of the other animals I hunt. Taking a life is a sacred act. In order to do it correctly, one must have respect for both hunters and prey.”

“Yeah, but you got into trouble for shooting those lions in Africa.” When he shot her a withering look, she blushed. “Well, that’s what I read in the newspaper. You take rich folks out to kill animals.”

“That I do,” grunted Jason as he finished the tip of his spear. “They’re going to hunt anyway. I try to teach them respect for the lives they take. Besides, what happened to my brother and I is an explanation, not an excuse. I didn’t exactly say I was Mother Theresa.”

Susan chuckled. “Oh, you’re not so bad…and you’re a lot deeper than you let on.”

Jason slipped his knife back into its sheath and smirked. “Susan, are you warming up to me?”

Susan waved her hands in front of her. “I wouldn’t say that now.” They shared a laugh. “But seriously, thank you.”

He hefted the spear, thrusting it down in front of him in a few practice strokes. “For what?”

She laughed, as if his question was ridiculous. “For helping me, stupid.”

Jason waved her toward the river. “Let’s spear us some fish.”

*

Susan watched the mighty hunter walk to the river’s edge. She felt something stir within her, a feeling she hadn’t had in quite some time. He was attractive, in a rugged sort of way. He was well-built, and she liked his square jaw covered in rough stubble.

She shook her head, as if to clear it. She was still a married woman. Then again, she probably wasn’t going to see her husband again. The thought made her sad. Her mind engaged in mental gymnastics, toggling between justifications for entertaining her attraction to Jason. The one she liked best was her marriage wasn’t all that great anyway. In fact, Chris had left her. Did that make her a free woman?

Jason waded into the water, the current brushing up against him, until he was knee-deep. “Come on, what are you waiting for?”

What was she waiting for? He extended a hand, beckoning her. She hefted her spear and waded into the river, joining him. The cold water felt good on her legs. It was a relief from the relentless sun. She stood next to him, looking sheepish. “Okay, now what?”

He took several steps away from her. “Okay, now we wait, very still and very quiet. After a while, they’ll swim near us, and when they do…” He thrust the spear into the water with a speed that startled her. “Just like that.”

“Just like that? You say it as if it’s so easy.”

He winked at her. “That’s because it is.”

They stood, waiting in silence, as Jason watched the water. He was positively statuesque. Susan, on the other hand, found it difficult to remain completely still. Her eyes widened when she saw the fish start to swim close by. She looked up at Jason, who fixated on the approaching fish.

In an explosion of action, he thrust his spear into the water, barely making a splash, and withdrew it, cursing under his breath.

Susan chuckled.

“Shhh,” he admonished. “You’re going to scare the fish.”

She put a hand on her hip. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she whispered. The mighty hunter. She was amused, which seemed to annoy him.

“Of course I do,” he whispered. “You don’t hit every time.”

Susan saw a fish swim in front of her. Her body went rigid. She watched as it meandered over towards her feet. She lunged at it, driving the spear straight down, striking a rock and missing the fish entirely. The fish darted away. “Dammit.”

Jason smirked. “Not so easy, is it?” he muttered.

“I’ll get one,” she whispered. “You’ll see. I’ll get one before you.”

He winked at her. “You’re on.”

They spent the next half hour stabbing at the shallows, occasionally changing position. Finally, Jason speared a couple of fish. He called her to shore, and he sat on the ground, crossing his legs. The fish flapped their tails, skewered on the makeshift spears.

“I hope you like sushi,” he said, pulling out his knife.

Susan shot him an incredulous look. “You’re kidding, right? You’re going to cook the fish?”

Jason shook his head. “Negative. A fire will give off smoke, and we’ll give away our position to any lizard men or predators in the area.” He started cutting the fish open, removing the guts, leaving the flesh behind. He handed one to her, and she accepted it in open hands.

She looked down at the raw, torn open fish. “There’s no way I’m eating this.”

Jason pulled a piece of fish away and popped it into his mouth. “Aw, come on,” he said between chews. “It doesn’t get fresher than this. I thought you said you were hungry.”

Susan’s stomach growled loud enough to frighten a T. rex. “Well…” She pulled away a piece with her fingers, her face contorted in disgust.

“Watch