“Lookin’ for datin’ prospects for you?” I ask.
“Yep. They mean well, but I can honestly say I haven’t been in the right place to date or consider settlin’ down. Not for a long time, anyway.”
I consider her words and what shedidn’tsay, that being that she didn’t say she wasn’t lookingnow.
“Lucky me that you decided to uproot your life for six months to help George out,” I reply wryly.
Her lips twitch. “I had a little help in making that decision.”
“George do a good job of persuadin’ you?”
“There isthat…”
I get the impression there’s more to the story. “You said somethin’ at the diner about new opportunities on the horizon?”
“Would you believe that it was an onlinepsychicreading,” she tells me. My heart jumps just as I stumble over an exposed tree root. Thankfully Blair puts out her arm to steady me as I come to a stop, turning my wide eyes her way.
“Thanks.”
Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “You’re welcome. Don’t want to be the cause of you getting injured. Was it the path or are you shocked that I’d let a stranger influence such a major life decision?”
“A little bit of both, I think,” I rush out with a laugh. "I’m not exactly in a position to judge anyone’s life choices. I moved here because of an inheritance clause.”
“Sounds like the romance books my friends read. There are arranged marriages, family debts, matchmakingspirits. You name it.”
For the second time in as many minutes, I have to stop walking so as to not fall over my feet.What’s with me being clumsy all of a sudden?
I cock my head. “Is this you confessin’ to being a closet romance reader too?”
“I used to read them when I was younger. Then I went to college and real life took over. Now the only reading I do is research papers,” she replies. “Though Alex has already hinted that she wants me to be her mountain man wing woman while I’m here.”
“Ohreally?” I say with a chuckle. “And how doyoufeel about that?”
“I may have told her there is a difference between romance fiction and reality, but that I’d keep an eye out for her.” She laughs. “So far, two of your brothers are already spoken for, which leaves Jude and Wyatt. Although he’s a bit young to be getting married just yet, don’t you think?”
“What about me?” I ask before I can stop myself, my knowing smile earns me a narrow but amused gaze.
“Considering we’re mid-date, doctor, I didn’t think it was right to includeyouin the list of eligible Timber Falls bachelors.”
“Good to know you’re not lookin’ to palm me off to someone else just yet.” I grin. “Now you’ve got me wonderin’ what my chances are of earnin’ another date.”
“Hmm,” she replies, rubbing her chin. “I guess you’re just going to have to wait and see about that. The date’s still young.”
“That it is.”
I fall back into step beside her as we continue along the trail. The sun warms our backs as we make our way toward Hidden Lake and chat about the interesting people and happenings at the hospital.
Soon enough, the trees lining each side of the trail start to clear and we find ourselves standing at the crest of a gentle slope leading down to the water.
“Wow,” she breathes, taking in the picturesque view in front of us.
“You’ve got that right.”
“Did you know about this place before?”
“Nope. Found it the other night when I was searchin’ for trails,” I explain. “Guess it lives up to its name though. It’s one of those places you don’t know is here unless you’re lookin’ for it.”
“What’s it called?”
