It felt like both a hundred years ago and just yesterday. But today, something felt different. Like I was ready to tackle the memories. I wasn’t sure what I was searching for—closure? To examine my choices that led me to here? It didn’t matter. I needed to put them to rest.
The path started off a little overgrown, but when I reached a fork, one direction seemed a little more used, so I followed it. Jack bounded ahead of me, pausing often to sniff at a tree or bush. It was fun to see him enjoying himself, no longer constrained by leash laws and sidewalks.
Suddenly, Jack came to an abrupt stop. His body went rigid, and his hackles raised as he focused on something I couldn’t see. My pulse kicked into overdrive. I scanned the trees, heart pounding as I realized I hadn’t brought anything I could use as protection.
“Jack?” I said quietly.
He didn’t move. A low growl emanated from his throat.
I glanced around and spotted a fallen branch thick enough it could act as a club. I grabbed it and tightened my fingers around the bark.
Seconds later, the pounding of footsteps ahead of me reached my ears, fast and heavy. I barely had time to reactbefore a giant man rounded the bend at a jog. He skidded to an abrupt halt, nearly tripping over his feet as he saw Jack, who was all teeth and growls, blocking his path.
“Whoa, boy.” He ripped his earbuds out of his ears and held his hands up. “Where’d you come from?”
I stared at the shirtless man, his muscles glistening from the sheen of his sweat. No question, this was someone who could break me with little effort. But given that it appeared we were as much a surprise to him as he was to us, I slowly lowered the branch.
“Who are you?” I asked, still wary.
He didn’t take his eyes off Jack. “Name’s Trey. Think you can call your dog off?”
“Jack, sit. Stay.”
Jack obeyed, still planted protectively between me and the stranger. But it was enough that the man took his eyes off him.
“What are you doing here?” I questioned.
“I live here,” he said simply.
“No, I don’t think you do. You’re on Silver Creek property.”
His expression didn’t really change, just narrowed his eyes at me slightly. “My cabin’s at the bend of the creek. I have access to this path, and Chase doesn’t mind me using it.”
I gaped at him. “But that’s like eight miles away.”
He glanced at a watch on his wrist and tapped a few buttons. “Yeah. Guess it is.”
“And you’re planning to runback? Like a fifteen-mile run? Are you training for a marathon or something?”
He shrugged. “Or something.”
“Not a man of many words, are you?”
That finally earned me asmall grin. “Nope.”
“Well, I’m sorry to have interrupted your run. Jack, heel.”
Jack did as he was commanded, but he kept his eyes on Trey.
“Good dog you got there,” Trey said, nodding with quiet approval.
“He’s the best.” I didn’t know what else to say. “Well, sorry we interrupted your run. I was just out for a walk to clear my head.”
“Walking’s good for that.” He looked around the woods. “But you should be careful out here. Bears are on the prowl for food.”
“I can handle myself.” Although the branch in my hand didn’t exactly scream “prepared.”
He glanced at it with a wry smile. “I can see that.” He pulled a dry white T-shirt from the waistband of his shorts and pulled it over his head. “I’ll walk you back if you like. Gotta see Chase about something anyway.”
