Epilogue
A FEW MONTHS LATER…
Preston
I’d never seen so many people at the trailhead before. Thankfully, Jess had suggested we ask the town to temporarily block off the street to set up the tables and booths to handle the crowds.
Not that I was complaining. I wasn’t.
The first annual Timber Creek Trail Fest was an incredible success. My teen group had jumped in with both feet, more than happy to show off the skills they’d been learning. It was an amazing thing to watch some of these kids who’d known next to nothing about the outdoors now doing demonstrations on fire starting, or shelter building, as if they’d been doing it their whole life.
A handful of the older kids were off leading short, guided trail hikes, while still others were manning the registration booth, signing up even more teens who were interested in joining our little group.
It was a good thing I had some help. Jess had happily joined me as a co-leader of the group. She added a much-needed female perspective, according to Quinn, who had become a poster child for my Teens in the Trails group. She may have joined because of a boy, but watching my niece grow into a certifiableoutdoor kidwas one of my prouder accomplishments.
I scanned the group, making sure everything was under control, when I spotted Quinn. She was pretending to listen to one of the other teens explain how to prepare for a camping trip, while very obviously watching Mason, who was erecting a tent off to the side. He was a competent camper and a good kid. Most importantly, my niece liked him.
I drifted closer. “You’re staring.”
She elbowed me in the ribs. “I am not.”
I lifted a brow.
She sighed. “Okay, maybe a little.”
“That’s allowed,” I added. “Last I checked.”
She nodded, then surprised me by saying, “You know…I think I get it now.”
“Get what?”
She shrugged, still watching Mason struggle with a tent pole. “That thing you were talking about. Not forcing stuff. Letting it be what it is.”
I stayed quiet, letting her keep going.
“I used to think it was supposed to feel all dramatic,” she said. “Like fireworks or something.” She glanced at me. “But this?” She nodded toward Mason. “This feels…easy.”
My chest tightened in a way I hadn’t expected.
“Easy’s good,” I said.
She smiled, just a little. “Yeah. I think so too.”
Mason chose that moment to look up and grin at her, and Quinn’s smile turned shy instead of smug.
I clapped her lightly on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re figuring things out.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t make it weird.”
I laughed and backed away, going in search of coffee. But before I could find the tent with the refreshments, Jess appeared beside me and pressed a paper cup in my hand. “How did you know?”
“Because I know you.” She winked, and I kissed her on the cheek.
What I really wanted to do was press her up against the nearest tree and show her exactly how thankful I was. But we’d had our share of public displays of affection for a while. Besides, I really did need the coffee.
“I have something to show you.” She wiggled her eyebrows as a tease, but I saw the roll of papers in her hand.
“The plans?”
