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It’s pretty out here, though. Even I can’t deny that. Especially today, when we passed a green lake tucked away in the woods—I can see the appeal. And I do meansee only. I would rather acknowledge it, take my pictures, and move on with my life than stay immersed in the experience for days on end.
I still worry just a little bit what this will mean for my promotion. If this trip will mean anything at all. Mayor Martinez knows I’m out here and why. If he asks how I liked it, am I supposed to lie? Rave about my uncomfortable sleeping mat and the lack of running water and the rabid owls? If I don’t, will he find someone else for the tourism job?
Ugh. Now I want to cry myself into that coma.
Grant passes me his baggie of trail mix. It’s all chocolate candies. There’s a bright spot in my day, after all.
I stare at the multi-colored goodness. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Now he’s the one staring.
“Sorry, that just popped out. I meant to say ‘thank you.’”
“Is chocolate the key to seducing you?”
Would he actually like to know?
“Probably.” It’s been a while since someone bothered trying—which I’m just sensible enough not to say. I savor each piece, probably making scandalous sounds.
“Noted.”
Grant Irwin, you flirt. If only he was staying in town for longer than a few days, maybe…
Heck, I don’t even know what. I’m still a mess after Josh. I can just enjoy having a hiking buddy. It doesn’t need to be more than that.
I slap at a mosquito sucking away on my arm. My eucalyptus oil shield isn’t completely impenetrable. I’ve lost count of the itchy red marks I’m sporting. I look like I have some terrible medieval disease. It pairs nicely with my terrible medieval odor.
“Does the sister you’re trying to show up live in Sunshine?”
“Yup. She’s recently become an outdoors enthusiast, and told me about a million times how easy this trip would be.” I exhale a soft laugh. “I think she knew if she said she could do it, I would feel like I have to prove I can, too. She set me up.”
“A little sibling rivalry going on?”
“Always. I can’t be mad at her, though. She helped me get my job here.” I frown. “Actually, that should make me even more mad at her. I can’t owe my little sister.”
I’m joking. But also, I’m one hundred percent serious. If Hope hadn’t let me work a little social media magic on her Christmas Festival this year, the mayor wouldn’t have considered me for the events job. It’s just one more thing that’s completely upside-down in my life. I’m the oldest. I’m supposed to be the one she looks up to, not the one mooching off of her connections.
“I hear that. My brothers are dividing most of my responsibilities while I’m gone. I guarantee Rhett will use that as an excuse to slack off when I get back.”
“Are you going straight home to Texas when this terrible ordeal is over?”
“Sometimes I get the feeling you’re not enjoying yourself out here.”
“Me? I’m having the time of my life. Look at all the…stuff.” I gesture at the trees around us. My phone is crammed with pictures of them, all virtually identical pines just doing their thing.
“The ‘stuff’ is pretty impressive. But no, I’m not going straight back to Texas. I’ll be around for a few weeks.”
My heart does a funny little jig. “Oh? Are you doing another trip like this?”
“Are you looking for suggestions?”
“Heck no!” I would rather eat Grant’s dry granola bars for a month.
“I’m staying at the Moonlight Lodge. This is as exciting as my vacation will get.”
“Then we should change that.” I’m not flirting, I swear. I only sound like I am because sometimes I talk before I think. Especially, apparently, with Grant. “You should come to the Fourth Fest. We’re going to have a parade, a festival in town square with farmers’ market booths and live music, and of course, fireworks.”
His eyebrows lift. “That’s you? The Fourth Fest? I saw the website when I researched my trip out here.”
