“We need to drum up some publicity,” Mike insists. “It’s been nearly two years. You should be…” His words die off.
My body tenses as heat flushes through my veins. “What? I should be over losing Mark? I should have put everything behind me by now?” How dare he! I resist the urge to pound the window sill.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. But listen, Kit, you can’t hide away forever. You have talent and people want to read your work, and they want to know more about the man behind the words, not just buy the books.”
“And that’s what I don’t want. Christ, Mike! There was so much speculation after the accident. Mark and my life under the microscope. I need to take things at my own pace. I can’t just jump back into the public eye like nothing happened.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line. “Fine. Just think about it, okay? And hey, I hate to bring it up, but you’ve also got a contract to consider.”
I hang up the phone and sigh in frustration. I know Mike means well. I’m just not ready.
Is that really true?
Lately things seem brighter. Being here, surrounded by nature and away from the hustle and bustle, it’s healing. I was holed up alone in my house for so long, and now I’m venturing out again. And then there’s Felix. Just thinking about his smile makes my heart skip a beat. His warmth and energy make me feel alive again. Makes me feel things I haven’t let myself feel since Mark. The feelings terrify me, but maybe it’s time to confront my past and embrace the future again.
Aknockatthedoor startles me from my writing. I glance at the clock and see it’s early afternoon.Where has the time gone?I smile at the knowledge I’ve lost hours working onPeril in the Mountains.
My grin widens when I open the door to find Felix standing on the porch.
“Hey,” he says cheerfully. “I hope I’m not disturbing you, but it’s such a beautiful afternoon, I thought you might like to join me for a hike up to Sweetwater Falls.”
“A hike?”
He chuckles. “It’s not too strenuous, I promise.” He holds up a backpack. “I’ve even packed a picnic, in case you needed more tempting. What’d you say?”
His enthusiasm is infectious. I contemplate my manuscript for a moment, but who am I kidding? I’m not saying no to an afternoon spent with Felix. “That sounds great. Give me a couple of minutes to get changed.”
I throw on a change of clothes and pad in socked feet back to the living room. I watch Felix from the corner of my eye as I lace up my hiking boots. He’s practically bouncing with excitement. I stifle a laugh.Oh, to be that young and enthusiastic again.
As we head out into the brisk afternoon, I zip up my jacket. Felix chatters away as we head up the mountain, pointing out various plants along the well-worn path. It’s obvious he’s in his element out here, surrounded by nature and the familiar environment where he grew up. The hike is a reminder that there’s so many beautiful things to experience in the world.
The trail winds higher into the mountains, the valley stretching out below. We’ve only been hiking for three quarters of an hour, but it feels as if we’re a million miles from anywhere, and my troubles seem so far away. We walk in comfortable silence for a while longer until we round a bend in the path and suddenly the falls come into view. It’s spectacular. Water cascades down the rock face, the sound echoing around us.
Felix grins at my reaction. “It’s something, isn’t it?”
I nod. “I can’t believe the cabins are so close to something like this. I can see why you loved running wild as a kid.”
We settle on a flat rock overlooking the falls. I grab the blanket I shoved in my pack and a couple of bottles of water while Felix unpacks a simple picnic of cookies, apples, and a thermos of hot chocolate.
As we eat, Felix tells me more about the area. His voice is soothing as he tells tales of his adventures up here. I feel lighter and lighter as I breathe in the mountain air and enjoy the inspiring view.
“Mark would have loved this,” I murmur.
“What was that?”
It’s only when Felix asks the question that I realize I said the words out loud. I could brush it away but decide to answer. Perhaps talking about Mark will help me move on.
“My partner,” I say softly, keeping my gaze on the waterfall. “He loved the outdoors and we travelled a lot. He was a photographer and would have loved this place.” My throat is thick with emotion as I continue. “He died two years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Felix’s voice is as soft as mine.
“I miss him every day.”
Felix nods, compassion in his gaze, but doesn’t say anything.
Tears prickle behind my eyes. “I don’t talk about Mark much. It’s been a rough couple of years and I sort of lost myself for a while there. I guess I’ve been hiding away from the world.” I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand and sit up straighter. “Sorry, I’m being such a downer. It really is time I put it behind me.”
Felix places a hand on my thigh. “Hey, you’ll move on when you’re ready.”
