“How does that sound with everyone?” Leon says. Everyone’s eyes are on either me or Damian.
“Great,” I agree, still no idea what he was talking about.
“Well then, we’ll get ready and then be off.”
Maggie hops down and runs to her mom while I make my way to Damian.
“Do you know what we’re doing?” I whisper to him.
He leans in close, his nose touching the side of my face. I can feel his breath on my skin when he whispers back to me. “You’re the one that agreed to it. Were you not listening, Brielle? Tsk tsk tsk.” His frame is so much bigger than mine, taking up the space around me, making my heart think it wants in on the action, when in reality, it can stay right out of this conversation.
“Just answer the question, Edgerton.”
He pulls back, his face completely neutral with no sign of the playfulness from a moment ago. “You signed us up for a hiking trail. Better make sure your boots are comfortable.”
I look down at my winter boots. They are fine for trekking through the snow, but they’re not built for hiking. Damian eyes me, waiting for a reaction. I don’t bother giving him one. I can do this. They have a five-year-old with them. How hard can this hike be?
“I’m ready when you are.”
Holy hell. I think I’m dying. My lungs can’t expand enough to get any air in. A raspy, wheezing sound rattles my chest, heaving out of my mouth like a dying cat.
“We’re almost there. It’ll all be worth it. Trust me.” Courtney smiles.
She and Damian are waiting for me to catch my breath while the rest of the gang forged on ahead. Even Maggie is bounding up themountain. I don’t know why I thought a kid would have a hard time. She’s got the energy of twelve Red Bulls flowing through her naturally.
“I thought this trail was for amateurs,” I gripe.
“Dad said that you guys loved hiking,” Courtney chuckles.
I can’t remember if we told him that during our dinner together or if Damian said something to him in the past two weeks. My muddled brain is trying to come up with something that sounds legitimate, but the act of breathing is taking all of my effort.
“We do. It’s been a while, that’s all. Brielle just needs to stay more active during the winter,” Damian answers smugly.
“I’m fine,” I huff through stuttered breathes. “Let’s keep going.”
“Drink the water, Brielle.” Damian is perfectly fine other than some minor sweat making him shine. Unlike my ragged shell of a human appearance. My pigtails came out a while ago, my hair now pulled into a single ponytail, soaked in sweat at the base of my neck and around my hairline. The boots are killing my feet, weighing me down with their heft and offering me no real support. I suck down the water, handing him back the empty bottle.
Damian shakes it before tipping it upside down. When not even a drop comes out, he pulls his lips into a flat line, placing the bottle back in his bag.
We get going again, Courtney leading the way, me in the middle, and Damian at the end of our train—probably so I don’t get left behind.
The trail turns into rocky ledge just as we crest the top of the mountain. I take two steps into the opening before my feet are suddenly glued to the ground. The views around me are spectacular. Snow-covered mountaintops as far as the eye can see. A road cuts through theside of one, small specks moving past as people go about their lives, probably not even a thought to the majestic beauty around them.
Damian stands beside me. Not touching. No words. Just mutual admiration of the beauty of nature.
And lots of heavy breathing.
“You made it,” Leon laughs.
“Come over here. You can see the valley through the mountains. It’s absolutely stunning,” Pam says, calling over to us.
She’s right. I stand on the rocky ledge for a while, my heart rate coming back down. Every step, every labored breath, every aching muscle was so worth it.
“Wow. It really is breathtaking,” I say. Pam smiles at me, and I swear she knows that hiking is not part of my regular weekend activities. Stephen is holding Maggie as he points out different sights from so far away. Leon and Courtney are laughing, and I can see the love and affection between the father and daughter.
I turn to Damian, catching him in a rare moment of unguardedness. He’s looking out over the landscape in deep contemplation, yet so relaxed and at ease. He must feel my eyes on him because I see him shift, like he got caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“I get why people put themselves through that to get to the top. I feel so accomplished right now,” I tell him quietly. “This picture right here. A family, multiple generations all happy and excited, sweaty but proud. This is what it’s all about. Maggie is making core memories with her favorite people right now, and she doesn’t even realize it. One day, a long time from now, she’ll think back to these days and remember the joy and love and beauty of this right here.”
