“I can’t wait to do that again!”
Chapter 16
After my successful mastery of the mountain, I was desperate to put my feet up and relax. Charles said he had the perfect place in mind. The cryptic declaration gave me pause as we got in his Land Rover and took to the winding roads away from the crowded ski village.
“Do I get to know where you’re taking me?” I asked, warming my hands in the heat blasting from the air vents as he drove.
“I want to show you my favorite spot in Maplewood Creek.”
“The less you tell me, the more worried I get.”
He flashed me a devastating grin. “Trust me. This surprise, you’ll like.”
Ten minutes later, we pulled up to a nondescript patch of dirt along the road’s shoulder.
“Up for a quick hike?” he said, parking the Land Rover beside a wooden stake with a simple arrow pointing toward a trail into the forest.
“Not sure I’m wearing the right shoes for this.”
I’d thrown on a pair of duck boots that were perfect for navigating slippery sidewalks, but maybe not trudging through snow and foliage.
Charles shot me a wink. “I’ve got you.”
My heart sort of leaped into my throat at the way his eyes shimmered when he said it. He got out of theSUVand came around to open my door, offering me his hand to climb out.
“It isn’t far,” he said, taking my hand. “Just hang on to me. I won’t let you fall.”
As we started up the trail, he kept my arm tucked under his, supporting my weight over protruding tree roots and slippery rocks. He led us with sure-footed purpose, never hesitating as the path periodically diverged or became less distinct. He knew it by heart.
“You’ve been here a lot?” I asked, marveling at the occasional evidence of a critter’s footprints in the snow.
“Since I was a kid. It’s sort of a local secret. A spot you don’t tell tourists about.”
“Aren’t you breaking the code of silence by taking me here?”
He smirked, squeezing my hand as he held back a branch. “I think you can keep a secret.”
It did feel a little like being in a very exclusive club. This secret we shared. The only two people in the world who knew. Hiding from his family. I guess it made me feel like this Charles belonged only to me.
About ten minutes into our trek, the trees opened to reveal a small, rocky pool, with rising steam that’d melted the snow around it. And at just the right angle, you could peer through the tall pines to see the vista of the Rockies climbing into the clear blue sky in the distance.
“Oh, wow,” I hummed.
“Worth the hike?” he asked proudly.
“Definitely. But, uh, I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”
I watched a slow, mischievous smile widen across his face.
“I don’t mind if you don’t,” he said.
Charles unzipped his coat and began peeling off layers of clothing to hang on a low branch. Then he dropped his boxers, facing away from me, and carefully stepped into the warm pool of crystal water.
“Feels great,” he said, submerged to his chest and encouraging me to follow. “Come on.”
Without several mulled ciders to give my confidence a boost, I felt a bit self-conscious undressing in front of him. Maybe Charles sensed that, because he casually turned around to sink deeper into the water, then gaze at the view, while I kicked off my shoes and stripped down. A few freezing, shivering steps later, I clambered into the water and hugged my arms to my chest.
“Oh, that was cold,” I said with a slight shiver, submerging my shoulders.
