On the bright side, we didn’t have to converse, thanks to Evie. She talked about school and dance and asked us questions the entire ride. Most of them wondering if we were there yet, but I’d take that any day over trying to converse with Tyler to pass the time.
“Come on, Winston,” I call, opening the back door. He gives me a pitiful look, clearly stating he would rather cuddle with Evie the rest of the day than get in some exercise. When I call his name again, he reluctantly jumps out of the car, but I swear he rolls his eyes. I attach the leash to his collar and slide my backpack on.
As soon as Tyler lets Evie out, she runs over to us. Winston’s tongue lolls, and his tail thumps against my leg as she pets him. I think he has a new favorite person, and I’m only a little bit offended that it’s not me since I just adopted him. I can’t blame him for loving the adorable five-year-old in front of us. It’s impossible not to.
Tyler rounds the car. “Who’s ready to hike?”
Evie bounces on her feet, shooting her hand in the air. “Me!”
He smiles at her, but his mouth falls when he moves his gaze to me. “You ready?”
“Whenever you are.”
Tyler slings his backpack on and locks the car before walking toward the head of the trail. Tyler echoes Evie’s earlier words: “To the waterfall we go.”
A forest of lush green hemlock trees line the path. The earthy scent of the woods and the gentle autumn breeze make me feel alive. I tug my sweater sleeves down over my hands.
Tyler and Evie get a few yards ahead of us, with Winston stopping to sniff and mark his territory on every tree he passes.
Tyler turns around and calls out, “Better hurry up, slow poke.” His mouth pulls up on one side, and I wish I could wipe the smug expression off his face.
I pick up the pace, pulling a begrudged Winston along. He doesn’t seem upset about stopping his sniffing duty when he gets to walk alongside Evie, though. She points out everything to Winston as we walk, and his eyes eagerly follow her finger.
We walk down a long wooden staircase overlooking a beautiful valley with a creek visible up ahead. Upon reaching the bottom, there are two rock ledges with stone steps between them. The descent down looks steep, with only a small rope tied to a tree above to help hikers down the steps.
Tyler and Evie climb down with ease, and look back up waiting for me. I pass Winston’s leash to Tyler, and he scrambles down the steps and sits dutifully at Evie’s feet.
I glance back at Tyler, and his eyes tell me he’d love to see me attempt to come down myself, holding onto the rope for dear life. But the hand he extends my way says,I’m a gentleman.
I warily wrap my fingers around his. His hand is warm and strong around mine. And the way his thumb grazes my skin almost has me tripping anyway. I’m waiting for him to yank his hand back and run it through his hair, yellingpsych, but he doesn’t. He lets me grip his hand the whole way down.
When I slip on a slick area of the last step, his hand holding the leash comes up and settles on my waist, steadying me.
His normal, smug expression falters for a moment. “You good?”
I nod.
“Great.” A smirk pulls at his lips. “Now try to keep up, Anderson.”
Remembering how my touch caused goosebumps to erupt across his skin, I decide to get back at him the best way I can think of—with my feminine charm. I drag my fingertips along his arm, feeling every ridge of his muscles.
Maybe this was a bad idea, but it’s too late to stop now. I move my fingers the rest of the way down until they wrap aroundthe handle of the leash. I gently tug it off his wrist and wrap it around mine. “I think I can manage.” My voice comes out slightly raspy, and I hope he doesn’t notice.
He looks down at the path. “We—We should keep going.”
His throaty tone shows he’s just as affected by my touch as I was by his, so I count my mission a success.
We continue moving forward, and the sound of rushing water pulls my attention to the creek. The water is flowing at a steady pace from the rain the area got earlier in the week, filling me with excited anticipation that we’re bound to see some beautiful waterfalls soon.
Evie runs over to me, reaching for Winston’s leash. “Can I walk Winston by the water? I promise I’ll besocareful.”
I look to Tyler. “If it’s okay with your uncle.”
He nods. “Stay back from the water and in my sight, please.”
She gives her word, eagerly takes the leash, and Winston prances at her side like a show horse as they walk to the creek. I smile at them, looking like two peas in a pod while Evie talks about something excitedly with animated gestures.
Tyler clears his throat beside me. “Have you hiked here before?” When I shake my head, he asks, “What do you think?”
