The place was rustic but packed, and within minutes, I was explaining my situation to a fit-looking woman with salt-and-pepper braids wearing khaki shorts and hiking boots.
She took one look at my busted sandal and said, “Chacos.”
“What?”
“Follow me.” She glanced over her shoulder. “You need Chacos. Lightweight, grippy soles, built for hiking.”
Ten minutes later, I was walking around the shop in my new sandals, armed with sunscreen, a sun hat, an insulated water bottle, lip balm, and the feeling that maybe—just maybe—I could complete this trip without falling apart.
By the time I stepped out of the shop, the sun was high and hot again, but this time, I was prepared. And I was only a few blocks from my air-conditioned room.
I walked back slowly, letting myself enjoy my surroundings—the funky little galleries, the racks of T-shirts outside gift shops, the smell of coffee and cinnamon wafting from somewhere nearby.
Just as I approached the entrance to the hotel, a familiar silver bus pulled up under the canopied drive-up.
For a split second, I was tempted to bolt like I was in trouble, some schoolkid caught out playing hooky. But then I reminded myself it was okay that I was actually a twenty-eight-year-old woman on a bus tour, and that no one was going to yell at me for taking a day to rest up.
Even though it was my own fault I made myself sick.
Okay, shush Luna, that was entirely unhelpful.
I mean, sure, Mom was the one who paid for this trip, but it was my vacation.
So, as the doors swung open, I straightened my shoulders and waited, keeping my head held high.
Although, yeah, I did feel a little awkward.
Patty spotted me first. “There she is!” she called with a big smile. “We missed you today!”
A few others echoed the sentiment as they trickled out, waving, smiling.
“We saw the Colorado National Monument,” Denise added. “You would’ve loved it. So gorgeous!”
Tay waved to me from the steps. “You feeling better?” She looked more concerned than disapproving, thankfully.
“Much,” I said.
“Will you be joining us for the winery tour tonight?” she asked.
My first instinct was to say yes. I should, right? I’d already missed this morning’s excursion.
But then I felt the tug of fatigue still lingering in my bones.
“I might just chill out here, actually.”
Tay gave me a thumbs-up. “Good call.”
That’s when I saw Noah.
He was near the front of the bus, helping a few of the older women down the steps—steady hand, patience for days. His mom was the last to descend, and he offered her his arm without a word,
His sunglasses were still on, hiding his eyes, but not the way his T-shirt clung to his shoulders, or the fit of his cargo shorts, which even though they were a little baggy, managed to show off his trim waist. Also, I suddenly wonder if I’m a leg woman…
A water bottle dangled from his free hand, and hoo boy, the man looked like summer itself.
But honestly, his appeal wasn’t just about his looks.
It was how present he was. Quietly capable.
