I swallow hard and sit on the top step when my knees give out, just taking it all in.
A tear spills out of the corner of my eye, but I don’t care. My breaths are coming faster, and I can feel the pulse in my neck, but I’m not on the verge of a panic attack. That’s not what this is.
I’m . . .awestruck.
There’s no other word for it, and I don’t think that word has ever been in my vocabulary before.
Because I’ve never seenthisbefore.
Suddenly, Gideon lowers himself next to me, leaving at least a foot of space between us, and rests his elbows on his knees, silently waiting for me as he watches the sky change over those rugged peaks.
“I don’t even know what to say.” It’s a whisper, because I feel like if I speak any louder, I’ll shatter this moment.
“I know.” He whispers it back to me. I wish he’d touch me. Maybe just hold my hand. Because this feels like a big moment, and I don’t even know why. I’m a visitor here. This view isn’t mine to keep.
After a few minutes, my tears dry up, and I stand, then shiver.
“Are you cold?” Gideon’s frowning at me.
“It’s cold here,” I reply with a nod. The air is crisp, making goose bumps rise on my skin. “But I’ll warm up. I could sit right here all day, so we’d better go.”
He watches me for one long moment, and then he leads me down the stairs and starts to jog.
It’s easy to keep up with him. It’s as if he remembers my pace from all those years ago, and that’s the pace he’s setting for me.
There’s a worn path that meanders around the lake and then into the woods, where the temperature dips even more. My teeth chatter, but I don’t say anything because I’ll be damned if I complain, and I have a sweatshirt on the way from last night’s shopping spree. I’ll be sure to wear it after it arrives.
As my muscles warm up, I settle into the run and enjoy the smell of the trees. We jog into a clearing, or a pasture, and there are men out here on horseback.
Gideon waves, and they wave back, and I offer them a smile. These must be the ranch hands that he talked about last night. I feel their eyes on me, but I ignore it, and soon we’re circling back the way we came, which I only know because the mountains are in front of us again.
But we don’t make our way back to the house. Instead, there are other structures in the distance. I want to ask him about them, but he’s been quiet, hardly breathing hard as we’ve been on our run.
And I am struggling. Maybe because of the elevation change? I don’t know, but I don’t like it. My lungs are on fire, and I’m getting blisters on my heels from these stupid shoes.
Because of course I am.
As we get closer to the structures, I see that there are two buildings, and to the left, what looks like an obstacle course with big tires, climbing walls, ropes. It looks like something from a reality TV show.
He’s going to make me do that.Shit, I don’t want to do that.
But rather than lead me over there, he has us stop near one of the buildings, and I lean forward, my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.
“Whoa, you okay?”
I nod, then stand and press my hands into my low back, pacing. I’m a little dizzy, and there are dark spots around my vision. I haven’t been this wrecked after a run inyears.
“Altitude,” I manage to get out. “Killing me.”
His jaw firms, and he waits for me to cool down a bit.
“What’s all this?” I ask.
Gideon points behind us. “Obstacle course. We’re not starting there today. I don’t like how you’re breathing.”
“I can—”
“Not today,” he interrupts, scowling. “This is the armory. Only my brother, Ryker, and I have the combination to this building.”
