I turn to her as I put the gear in park and cut the engine. “You up for a hike?”
“Hike?” she balks. “You said to dress casual, not that we’d be exercising.”
“Want me to carry you?” I hop out of the truck.
Her lips pinch together with disapproval. “No, thank you. How far is this hike?”
“It’s just over that ridge.”
The sun is bright in the sky and there aren’t many clouds. There’s a hint of a morning breeze, and I pray the weather holds so we can enjoy it for a few hours.
“I really wish you had told me we’d be hiking.” Rosalie comes over to my side of the truck, watching as I gather items from the back.
“I promise, this is more like a walk. I just like giving you a hard time. And if you get too tired, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
“My legs work just fine.”
“That’s the spirit.” I hold the cooler in one hand and carry the blanket under my other arm. “Come on.”
It only takes fifteen minutes or so to make it to the other side of the ridge. The field below is filled with wildflowers in full bloom, and the soft gurgle of the nearby creek plays a rejuvenating soundtrack. When I rode through here last week, taking a shortcut after checking fences, I remember thinking it’d be the perfect place to spend a lazy day outside.
“Wow.” Rosalie stops next to me. “This is beautiful.”
“Told ya’.” I wink. “I’m thinking we set up shop down by those trees?” I point to the cluster near the bank of the creek.
“Set up for what?”
“Rosalie’s day of complete relaxation.” I grin and begin walking. “I’ve got drinks, snacks, and all you need to worry about is picking which book of yours to read.”
“Okay.” She frowns, but follows my lead. “What are you going to do?”
“Nap.”
“Already?” Her brows lift. “You just woke up.”
“I can nap anytime, anyplace. Always been that way.”
“You won’t be bored?” She sighs. “Because you really don’t have to entertain me. I would be perfectly content reading at your cabin.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I wave off her concerns. “I wanted to show you this place.” I walk backward a few steps to shoot her a wink. “And I want a nap. If I get bored, maybe I’ll borrow one of your books.”
Her eyes betray her excitement, even if her tone remains neutral. “You read romance?”
No. “I love romance.”
“Books,” she deadpans. “Romance books.”
“Oh, right.” I can’t help but laugh. “This is probably going to shock you, but I’m not a big reader.”
“What? No!” she responds in exaggerated mock surprise.
“A total surprise, right?”
“What was the last book you read?”
She’s not going to enjoy my answer. “I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember?” The look of utter horror on her face is comical.
