When everyone’s gone, I stretch, then prop my chin on his shoulder. “That was fun. Your family’s amazing.”
He grins. “Glad you liked them.”
“So. What kind of adventures do you have when you aren’t home? I’m curious about what you do when you go off on your own to take photos of wildlife.” I want to know more about Noah, understand his dreams, separate from mine.
“Then why don’t we do something together next weekend?” he says, his eyes alive with excitement.
“Deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bobbi
“Wow…” I look up at the orange-brown layers of rock that form Antelope Canyon. I didn’t know what to expect when Noah said he’d take care of everything we’d need for the weekend. But his excitement was enough to get me to go along with the plan sight unseen.
Noah chartered a turboprop plane for a hop to northern Arizona. Apparently, the airport in Page isn’t big enough to accommodate a jet, and there are no convenient commercial flights to the area.
“Time is of the essence.” He winked, saying he didn’t want to waste hours driving from Phoenix.
I’ve heard of canyons in the area, but I’ve never been to any. When I was younger, I was overseas with my parents and adventures of any kind were strictly forbidden. My mom absolutely refused to go anywhere that could be deemed dangerous, even though the State Department provided security when we moved to regions considered less than safe by the government. Dad was too preoccupied with work to bother. I doubt he would’ve taken me anywhere even if he hadn’t been busy because he hated arguing with Mom. She was impossible when she felt threatened, and logic wasn’t her strongest point. And by the time I finished college, I was working.
I’m glad Noah chose this canyon for our first adventure together as a couple. The photos I’ve seen didn’t do it justice. The cool air inside provides a respite from the baking sun, and the early afternoon light beams straight into the canyon, creating beautiful highlights. Noah threads his fingers through mine as we follow our very competent looking Navajo guide in on a group tour. Apparently, the canyon doesn’t allow individual tourists to wander around unescorted.
“The weather forecast called for rain later this afternoon, but hopefully it won’t lead to a flash flood.” Our guide looks up at the sky that’s bright blue at the moment. It was cloudy a few minutes ago. “We had one two days ago—lasted about half an hour and washed away a lot of the soil.” The green beam from his laser pointer hits a line a little over a foot above the ground. “That’s where the floor used to be two days ago.”
A few of the people in our group make shocked noises. I frown at the old soil level still marked on the stone. Water powerful enough to swipe away a foot of sediment in a few minutes isn’t something I ever want to take on, no matter how “adventurous” it might be.
“Just how dangerous is it?” a woman to my left says with a slight French accent.
“People have died here,” the man responds. “If it happens, there’ll be no hesitating. We turn back and head for the bus.”
I glance at the opening behind us. Noah leans closer until his breath tickles my ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“Really? How’s that going to work?”
“I’m an excellent swimmer.”
“You can outswim the crocs in the Nile?”
“Oh, easily.” The corners of his eyes crease into fans. “And worse. A flash flood is no match.”
I laugh quietly at his bravado. “My hero.”
“At your service, milady.” He winks.
The guide points out at the section ahead of us. “That’s the bear.”
I squint, unsure what I’m supposed to see. Noah puts a hand on my shoulder and pulls me more toward his angle of view. “See it now?”
I narrow my eyes. And then finally see it—a bear on its hind legs, right ahead of me. “That’ssocool.”
Noah and I snap a shot, then take a selfie together with a wide grin. The guide notices and gestures for the phone. “Let me.”
I hand him my phone, and he has us stand in front of a cool sandstone formation with layers and layers of different shades of orange. He takes a picture of Noah and me, arms around each other’s waists, and hands me the phone. It’s a good shot, almost professional, and I smile at our relaxed expressions. Noah in particular looks very comfortable, like he’s done this hundreds of times.
I send him the photo, and he grins. “Damn, you look amazing. I’m going to set this as my new background.” He fiddles around, then flips the phone. “One of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”
His tone is so earnest and open, his eyes bright with hope and love. And the wall I had erected around my heart starts to crumble like wet sand. He’s like an emotion ninja. No matter how strong my castle’s defenses are, he always finds a way in.
