by Tara Randel
He yawned. “I remember seeing you wear them before, so I figured they’d still fit.”
Surprised by his efficiency, she dug farther, finding an old pair of hiking boots, thick socks and, under those, a small backpack. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“I’m handy once in a while.”
She took the socks in her hand to unroll them, admiring the fact that her brother had the foresight to look ahead and plan for her. “I’d say more often than that.”
He dropped his head back and closed his eyes.
“Why do you do that?”
His head jerked up. “Do what?”
“Sell yourself short. You’re good at this, Nathan. Remember, I see the books every month. You’ve increased business. I get that Mama let her finances go, but why drop your life here and run off?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
He dropped his feet to the floor, aiming a serious gaze her way. “I get...antsy, Grace. Like there’s something out there I’m missing by staying in Golden. So I try to earn some extra cash to go after an adventure.”
Grace snorted—she wouldn’t exactly call his gambling habit earning money—but she got it. She’d wanted out of Golden, set a goal and met it. But what bothered her was the fact that he seemed to be following in their father’s footsteps and they all knew how that turned out.
“Why haven’t you ever told me?”
He sent her a get-real glance. “You’ve always known what you wanted, Grace. You’ve always been in control. That’s a tough act to follow.”
She swallowed hard. Nathan was right. He didn’t say so with malice or envy, just knew that’s how things were.
Her conversation with Deke rang in her ears. Had she held her siblings back, all in the name of doing what was best for them? Or was it for her? “I’m sorry, Nathan. When I handed the business over to you and Mama, I should have kept my nose out of it.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I don’t know. But I also never tried.”
The room went silent as they both considered the direction of the discussion. Grace stared out the front window, watching people come and go on the sidewalk, wondering if their lives were as muddled as her own.
“Nathan, you can have adventure right here in Golden. If you put half as much passion into the business as you do into chasing the next exciting thing, you’d fulfill that longing.”
He dropped his head. “I don’t know, Grace. Maybe that ship has sailed.”
“I don’t agree. You can do this, Nathan.”
He stood. “I guess we’ll see. Once Mama is okay and you leave, I’ll be back at the helm.”
She rose, skirting the desk to touch his arm. “Will you at least give it one hundred percent? If, after that, you decide staying in Golden isn’t for you, we can discuss next steps.”
“Like selling?”
Her face flamed.
“Mama mentioned it.”
“As a last option.”
He nodded. “Look, I have some things to tie up first. By the time you head back to Atlanta, I should be square.”
Suspicion twisted her stomach. Nathan was way too nonchalant. “Square how?”
He dropped a kiss on her head. Stepped back and flashed her an easygoing smile. “Don’t worry, sis. I have things under control.”
So why didn’t his assurance leave her convinced? Because this was Nathan and his track record was less than stellar.
“Deke should be here in twenty and then you two are meeting the bus at the public parking lot at the bottom of Crystalline Falls.”
Right. Back to work. She’d done what she could, hoping what she’d said had gotten through to her brother. The ball was in his court now.
He took off and Grace changed into her casual clothes. It felt strange, dressing down after she’d become used to selecting outfits that suited the law office. She had to admit, the jeans were more comfortable than she’d remembered. The loose plaid shirt gave her room to breathe and thankfully the boots were a custom fit. She might suffer with a few blisters at the end of the day, but getting away from the office and family issues it entailed suddenly appealed. Especially since she’d be spending those hours with Deke.
He made her forget to worry about her job status. Made her think on her toes, waiting for a casual brush of the hand or a long stare that took her breath away. Romance was definitely the last thing she’d expected when she’d come home to Golden. She still wasn’t sure it was in the cards for her. Instead of trying to figure it all out, she decided to stay present and enjoy every moment with Deke before she went back to her real life.
She’d just exited the restroom when Faith arrived, struggling to open the back door while she juggled the baby and an oversize diaper bag while answering John’s fifty questions. Grace rushed over to lend a hand. Once Faith noticed her, she stopped short.
“This is the Put Your Feet Up office, right?” Faith craned her neck to look around, like the surroundings were foreign to her and she was trying to judge where she was. “Because I’ve never seen my sister dressed for work like this.”
“Ha, ha.”
Faith chuckled. “Really, Grace? Did the raccoons run off with your wardrobe?”
Grace explained the guide situation, which elicited a big belly laugh from Faith. “Priceless.” After setting Lacey in the mini playpen and unpacking John’s toy trucks, she pulled out her phone and aimed it at Grace.
Grace slammed a hand on her hip. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“I need proof. No one will believe you’re actually going out on a tour.”
She finally recognized the absurdity of the situation and laughed. “It’s been a very long time.”
“Since you were in college. And even then you didn’t go willingly.”
Grace averted her gaze. “Today is different.”
Faith immediately zeroed in on her mood. “Because of Deke?”
Yes, because of Deke.
“Because my family is working with me and as a team we’ve handled the situation. I’m proud of you guys.” She leaned her hip against the desk. “Nathan and I had a good talk this morning and here you are, all set for the day. Once Mama is A-okay, the Harper family should be back on their feet.”
A faint shadow crossed Faith’s eyes but quickly disappeared. “Thanks, Grace. For giving me a chance.”
“And thanks for putting up with my bossing.”
Faith grinned. “You aren’t the easiest person to work with.”
“Shockingly, you aren’t the first to tell me so.”
John rose from the floor to stand by his mother. “Aunt Grace is the boss,” he said matter-of-factly.
“And how do you know this?” Faith asked.
“She told me.”
At John’s words, the sisters shared a laugh. He shrugged, not getting the humor, and returned to his toys. It had been way too long since they’d been a real family, Grace thought. She liked them better this way.
After she ran through the day’s schedule and gave Faith some last-minute updates, Deke arrived at the office. One look at her and a brow rose.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Go ahead. Ask where the real Grace is. I’ve been getting it all morning.”
“Actually, I was thinking the casual you is rather appealing. I like it.”
Tendrils of pleasure sent heat up her neck. She glanced at Faith’s knowing grin, then quickly grabbed her sunglasses from her purse. “I’ll have my cell with me if you need anything, but once we get into the forest it may not work.”
“Go.” Faith shooed them out. “I’ve got everything covered here.”
With a bit of a bounce in her step, Grace followed Deke out into a sunny, temperate morning. Once they were deep in the woods the temperatur
e would lower a bit, but so far it was a great day for hiking.
She nodded to the backpack Deke tossed into the back seat of the Jeep. “You have the first-aid kit?”
“Check.”
“Bottled water?”
“Check.”
“Trail mix?”
“Grace, this isn’t my first hike.”
“Sorry.” She climbed into her seat, discovering boots worked much better when traveling in his vehicle than heels. “Since this was thrown at me last minute, I just want to make sure we’re prepared.”
“We are.” Once he had the Jeep on the road out of town, he glanced her way. “Think you can just relax and enjoy yourself?”
“To be honest, I don’t know. I forget what that feels like. If I ever knew, that is.”
He chuckled. “How about you let me be in charge today?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to argue. Deke was right, she did have a hard time giving up control. But seeing him ready for the outing, dressed in cargo shorts, long-sleeved shirt and hiking boots, she knew she was in good hands.
Leaning back into the seat, she closed her eyes. “You got it, boss.”
She heard his chuckle, savored the wind in her hair and enjoyed the remainder of the ride to the falls.
* * *
DEKE PEERED OVER the group—a ragtag assembly of teens ranging from twelve to fifteen—detecting right away who the leaders were. The kids were straight out of Atlanta’s inner city. They loitered around the bus, laughing and boasting how easy the day’s hike would be, until Grace escorted them to an open area beside the fast-moving stream rushing over mossy rocks. He divided the group of twenty into smaller groups of five, picking one teen to be in charge of each group. After fifteen minutes of instruction and going over safety checks, the group ventured to the entrance of the path leading to the forest.
Grace strode beside him as they lumbered over the bridge to the other side of the stream, where the forest spread out before them. “I’ve always enjoyed this trail.”
“So far it’s my favorite out of all the different places you’ve sent me.”
The pumping of his heart had less to do with the adventure before them and more to do with Grace’s smiling face.
Crystal Trail began on the south side of the welcome station, meandering in a mile loop through the lower section of the mountain until leading back to the original starting point. Once completed, they’d take a break for lunch in the park. From there they would walk the paved path up the half-mile hike to Crystalline Falls.
As they settled into the trek, dried leaves crunched under their feet. Large stones were scattered throughout the landscape of tall, majestic trees. Fallen logs and low-hanging branches added to the picturesque scene. A crisp, woodsy scent filled Deke’s lungs as they plodded up the slight elevation.
“You know your muscles are going to twinge by the end of the day,” he told Grace.
“My arms got over the strain when we went canoeing so I’m sure I can handle a little dull ache here and there.”
He chuckled. “We’ll see.”
Once all the kids had made it over the bridge, Grace stopped. She’d be taking up the tail end of the group. “See you later.”
He nodded, missing her company immediately, then led the group, slowing once to make certain Grace was in position. Sure she had things well in hand, he started forward again. The path was worn, sometimes uneven, but not particularly difficult. He knew the kids were unsure of their surroundings, so he set a leisurely pace. They stopped to examine rocks, bushes covered with berries and wildflowers. At one point, Deke had to break up an impromptu sword fight involving long twigs. When the kids heard scampering sounds in the brush behind the trees, they were concerned about wildlife, but Grace eased their fears with stories about growing up near here. She was knowledgeable and kept the kids enthralled the entire time. An hour later they returned to the bridge, the kids already digging into their backpacks for lunch.
When he waited for Grace to produce hers, a sheepish grin curved her lips.
“I forgot my lunch.”
“No, not the Prepared One?” he teased in mock horror.
“I was so worried about the other supplies it slipped my mind.”
He opened his pack and removed two bags. “Never fear. Your leader remembered to make you a sandwich.”
She took the bag he held out and tilted her head. “You really make a good partner.”
“Was there ever any doubt?”
Her lips trembled. “Modest, too.”
“Just stating the facts, ma’am.” He paused as a thought went through his head. “We do work well together, Grace. It’s not something you find every day.”
Her smile faded. “Maybe, but not everyone is looking.”
She then walked over to a group of girls, taking his heart with her.
They eventually settled on the picnic benches located beside the stream. Once they had the kids seated, the entire crew went quiet as they wolfed down lunch. When finished, the group grew restless, indicating it was time for the last leg of the tour.
“It’s a fairly easy incline,” Deke told the assembled group at the start of the trail up the mountain to the falls, “but make sure you stop if you get winded. We aren’t in a hurry.”
The group took off, spirits high again. Some of the braver boys hopped from boulder to boulder, ignoring the taunts of their friends when they missed the mark. Some banded together to take pictures of native birds. The swordplay started up again, which Deke shut down for their safety.
Watching all the high energy, Deke and Grace walked side by side. “You’re really good with the kids,” he said as they followed.
“They’re lots of fun.” She adjusted the strap of her backpack. “I remember those days.”
“Thought those years were hard for you.”
“Not always. You’ve had me recalling a lot of memories, and, to be honest, there were some good times mixed in with the bad.”
Her admission surprised him. “So you’re saying my walking into your life had a positive effect on you?”
“I don’t know about that, but you’ve encouraged me to take stock of my life, and I appreciate it.”
The stream gurgling beside them grew louder the closer they neared the falls. Even though the path was moderate, he adjusted his pace when Grace slowed.
“I forgot how the incline sneaks up on you.” She stopped, dug a bottle of water from her pack and took a long drink. She pointed the end of the bottle toward the bend just before the falls. “But it sure is pretty up here.”
He couldn’t take his gaze from her. “That’s a fact.”
She sent him a puzzled look, then they resumed their stroll. More and more Deke was learning to accept the unmerited peace that he felt whenever he came up here. Or did the tranquility come from sharing the experience with Grace? “I keep thinking I wouldn’t mind this being my office every day.”
She adjusted her backpack straps. “Wouldn’t you miss your real job?”
“I suppose. Over time. I’ll be the first one to admit I’m a science geek.” He stopped to pick up a twig and hurled it at the stream. “If I could combine the two it would be a dream come true.”
“I’m not sure there’s a big need for forensic forest cops.”
He chuckled. “Maybe not the cop part.”
“You’d consider changing careers?”
“Maybe. If a certain woman in my life would admit she really likes this place.”
Her forehead creased. “I like Atlanta, too. That’s where my job is.”
Yeah, he knew.
She picked up her pace, moving ahead of him. He swallowed a sigh, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut.
As they turned the bend, the sight of the falls came into full view. A multilevel waterfall, the first section plunged ov
er an outcropping starting high up on the mountain. There was a break in the middle where natural rock formed a ledge, then the water swerved to the right and cascaded over slick boulders, this time wider and faster, into a shallow pool. Wooden viewing decks had been built around the pool where the water dropped into the stream and raced down the remainder of the mountain, ending in a lake owned by a resort property.
The youth group scattered between the two tiers of decking, their phones out to take pictures of the beautiful vista. Other tourists lingered as they viewed the masterpiece of nature. Deke couldn’t deny that he was moved every time he brought a group up here.
After taking a quick head count, he joined Grace where she rested her arms on a wooden railing. The water swirled violently in the pool, forming foamy eddies that dispersed as the pressure from above kept the stream moving at a swift pace. The trees created a natural canopy overhead, keeping the brunt of the early-afternoon sun from burning their skin.
“You aren’t taking any pictures,” he commented.
She tapped a finger to her temple. “My pictures are all saved in here.”
He leaned close, his shoulder brushing hers. He didn’t dare move, not wanting to shatter this moment. He took it all in, Grace, her cherry scent, the way she smiled at the beauty around them, creating lasting snapshots in his memory.
Grace inhaled deeply, keeping her eyes on the falls. “We always wondered what was on the top of the mountain. Mama was too afraid to let us climb up that high, but I always suspected that Daddy took Nathan anyway. They just kept it on the down-low so she wouldn’t find out.”
“Probably wise.” A small smile curved his lips. “Sounds like something my brothers and I would do.” They’d gone on plenty of adventures when they were young, their mother warning them off, but came home no worse for wear. That was a different time. Now they were keeping their mother out of the loop for what they believed was her own good. To protect her. Wasn’t that their job now that their father was gone?
“Still, it makes you wonder,” Grace continued. “Who was the first person to actually discover this area and hike to the top? Did a family settle here? How did they learn to rough it in the wilderness? We always played ‘what if’ when my folks took us here.”