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“Should we continue?” I ask. “You have to see the scenic spot at the end of the trail.”
“I’d love to,” he says with a warm smile.
We hike the rest of the way, talking about everything and marveling at the stunning scenery. My feelings get deeper with every step I take.
Dane stops dead when we reach the waterfall. He stares up at it in awe as it comes pouring over the edge into the gorgeous crystal clear pool below. The water swirls and bubbles before continuing on down the beautiful river. I just watch him.
“This place is truly majestic,” he says as Jasper trots to the river and starts drinking.
“Hungry?” he asks, sitting on a boulder. “I brought lunch.”
My stomach is growling as I sit beside him.
“I hope you like egg salad,” he says, handing me one.
“I don’t want to steal your lunch,” I say, reluctant to take it even though I’m starving.
He grins as he pulls two bottles of sparkling water out. “I packed for two. Just in case.”
“Just in case what?”
“Just in case you followed me.”
I take the bottle and shake my head as I open it with a smile. “You’re the worst.”
He laughs.
Jasper bounces over when he smells the food being opened. Dane also packed carrots and celery sticks and a bag of chips. Jasper tries to smell my sandwich, but Dane brought a snack for him too. He pulls out a dog treat and tosses it into the air. Jasper catches it with his tail wagging.
“Did you have any dogs growing up?” he asks.
“Two,” I say as we enjoy the quiet spot. “Both Chinooks. My dad loved them.”
“Would you like another Chinook one day?” he asks, smiling. “I hear they’re great with children.”
I raise my eyebrow as I look at him with a grin. “I need a date before I have kids.”
“Some people say this would qualify as a date,” he says, looking around. “Beautiful scenery, great company, good meal.”
“Do you normally feed your dates celery sticks?” I ask, crunching into one.
“No,” he says with a laugh. “This is a first.”
“Still not sure it’s a date,” I say with a grin. “I never agreed to go out with you.”
“Well, let’s make it official then,” he says. “Tonight?”
I look at him for a long moment. He looks right at home in my mountains, a wisp of hair trailing across his forehead that I would love to brush to the side. I would like to do a lot more to him than that, but the dog is watching.
“Okay,” I say softly. “Let’s make it official. Dinner. Tonight.”
The beaming smile he gives me fills me with this warm, floaty feeling that I never want to let go.
By the time we return, I have a full-on crush, a date for tonight, and a very confused brother.
“Who was that?” Julian asks, watching Dane as he walks to the road in the distance.
“Maybe my new boyfriend,” I say as I walk into the lodge.
