by D. D. Larsen
After an hour, I know more about Liam than I learned in the years we were together. As we stand up to leave, I expect him to try to get me to come up to his room and am ready to shut him down. I don’t know where this is heading, but we need to take it slow.
Instead, he shocks me by kissing my cheek. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
Tomorrow? I go through my mental calendar and realize tomorrow is Sunday. I have to work in the morning.
“I work until noon, but after that, I have no plans.”
I expect him to invite me to another meal, but I’m surprised when he says, “I have heard the hiking around here is incredible. Would you want to show me one of your favorite trails?”
Hiking? He wants to go hiking?
I think about the attack that happened a little over a week ago to those two poor girls. Wren told me that they got the bear, but something about the whole situation still unsettles me.
I agree, trying not to overthink it. I haven’t been out since I hurt my ankle, but I will take him on a shorter, more popular trail just to ease myself back into it. Plus, I don’t think he has ever hiked in his life. I don’t want to take him on a hard trail to start.
“Good. I’ll pick you up after work.”
“Do you mind if I bring my dog Moon?” I ask. “I haven’t gotten her out in a while, and she would love it.” Thinking about the attack, I note she will warn us if any animals get too close.
“Of course! Want me to pick her up before I get you?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, that would be great! My parents will be off tomorrow so they can help you get her into your car.”
“Sounds good. It’ll be nice to see where you grew up.”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as he says that. I’m sure my house is much different than where he grew up.
With one final kiss to the cheek, I head out to my car.
At home, I’m exhausted from not getting much sleep last night. I get my pajamas on and climb into bed.
As my head connects with my pillow, I already feel myself drifting off, but before I enter the blackness, one thought travels through my head.
I haven’t heard one word from Wren since I left. No calls. No texts. Nothing.
The coffee shop is crazy busy the next morning, leaving me no time to overthink hiking with Liam. Or Wren’s silence. Liam seems more like the guy you would find on a golf course, not in the forest, but we shall see how it goes.
I’m also very surprised to not hear one word about the attack. Everyone is acting like it never happened.
After changing into hiking clothes and grabbing the backpack I left in my car, I lean against the hood and wait for Liam.
Within a minute, he pulls up and the sight makes me laugh.
He’s driving a black BMW convertible. Moon is sitting in the front seat, one paw up on the door, looking very proud of herself.
Liam shoots me a killer smile and steps out of the car to open my door. I push Moon into the back seat, earning myself a glare from the dog, like how could I possibly make her sit in the back?
Liam closes my door then walks around to the driver’s side. I notice that he has traded the slacks for athletic shorts, and can’t help admiring the tight fabric accentuating his butt as he walks in front of the car. “All right, where are we going?”
I’m about to direct him out of the parking lot when I look to my right and see Wren standing at the edge of the trees, staring at me. Why is he here?
My blood instantly begins to stir, and the desire returns.
What is wrong with me?
I choose a trail that is an easy three mile round-trip and ends at a beautiful lake.
Moon pulls at the leash as I clip it to her collar. “I know baby, but you need to wear this on this trail,” I tell her in a soothing voice. “There are too many people for you to run free.”
When I straighten, Liam is looking at me. “How come I never knew you had a dog? You two seem very close.”
I scratch Moon’s ears. “She was just another part of home that I tried to forget.”
Liam puts his own backpack on, and I give him a point for being prepared. Maybe I am not giving him enough credit. He is in good shape; this probably isn’t his first hike.
As we start to walk, Liam asks, “Why were you trying to forget this place? It’s absolutely beautiful. I think I have fallen in love even in the short time I have been here.”
That’s not a simple question and I don’t know how much I want to share with Liam. One of the reasons I like being around him is because he doesn’t know my past. He didn’t know me when I was in diapers, like most people in town.
“I just felt like I needed to branch out and see the world, or at least more than my small town. I did, and now I know this is where I want to be.”
We start walking up a steeper hill and I’m impressed that Liam holds pace with me. With Moon pulling on the leash, we’re moving quickly.
“I can understand that. With my dad owning and running his company, I was expected to follow in his footsteps. I felt very much like my path was already paved for me, even before I was born. Amtika is successful now, but it was a big shock when I branched out and started it. At first, it didn’t look like it would succeed, but I just started working harder.
“Sometimes family doesn’t realize they are suffocating you when they are just trying to help.”
Wow. I didn’t think he would understand, but he does. This is my life and I am not going to let anything dictate how I live it. This makes me think about Wren and the intense connection I have with him, as if something more is pushing me in his direction.
As the lake comes into view, all my other thoughts become clear as I take in the beauty. The turquoise water is surrounded by high mountain peaks. At a few hundred feet wide, the lake dominates the landscape. I scan to the island in the middle and remember swimming to it once as a teenager. It was one of the many shenanigans Mark, Tollen, and I had gotten into growing up. Not something I ever plan on doing again. With the water barely above freezing, we had to run back to the car to stay warm after we got back to shore.
I take a seat on a large rock where I motion for Liam to join me. We’d carried a steady conversation on the hike up but now we sit in silence, listening to the peaceful sounds of nature.
Moon whines, wanting to explore. Since we’re alone, I let her off the leash. She bounds down into the water, unbothered by the chill. She wades in and dips her head, enjoying the feeling of the cool water on her face.
Liam grabs my hand. “This is really nice. Thank you for giving me a second chance. I know I’ve messed up more than once.”
He is right. This is nice. I don’t know where it is going, but Liam seems to want to take it slow as well.
Suddenly, the hair on my back of my neck prickles. I get the distinct feeling I am being watched. I scan our surroundings. No one is there. I look at Moon. Her ears are perked, and she’s sniffing the air. She feels it, too. I didn’t imagine it.
I scan the edge of the forest for the source of my unease. That’s when I see it. Two yellow eyes stare back at me from the thickest part of the forest. The wolf.
What is he doing here? We are miles away from the last place I saw him. Is he following me? Protecting me?
I never told my father that I saw a wolf. Maybe it was because I thought I’d imagined it. I haven’t heard any recent rumors about wolf sightings.
When I blink and look back, he is gone. Did I imagine it again? Am I going crazy?
I shiver. “We should head back.”
I leave Moon off the leash hoping she will warn us if there is something around.
I keep my senses on high alert as we walk back down the trail. Since I don’t say a word, Liam can probably tell I am tense, but doesn’t ask what’s wrong until we’re back in the car. “Was it something I said?”
“No. Nothing. I thought I might have seen something in the forest when we were sitting by the lake. That’s all. But
I probably imagined it.”
Liam’s eyes widen. “Something, like a bear?” He is such a city boy; it’s kind of cute.
“Yeah, something like that. Moon never barked, so I might have just been seeing things, but I was trying to be cautious. I didn’t want to freak you out.”
“I heard there was a bear attack that killed two girls here.”
I nod.
Liam doesn’t head back to the shop, where my car is parked. “Where are you going? My car is the other way. I should have been giving you directions, but I thought you’d learned your way around pretty well.”
“I know where I am going. This is the way to your house. When I was there earlier, your mom invited me over for dinner. We can get your car later.”
Liam. At my house. For dinner.
I never worried with Mark because he’s known me forever and Wren already knew my dad. But Liam is different. He has gotten a glimpse into my life here, but it is so different than the one I lived when I was in the city. This will be a good test to see if he truly has changed. I love my parents, but they can be a little out there. I loved my life growing up, but it was very different from most people’s childhoods.
I still don’t know what caused Liam’s mind to change. He seemed very done and then all of a sudden, he is here doing everything I want trying to get me back. I shouldn’t forgive him. But I have enjoyed our time together. Why does my brain seem to stop functioning when it comes to guys?
We pull up to my house, and the moment I open the car door, Moon barrels out, heading to the kitchen to see what my mom is cooking and if there are any scraps to spare.
As we walk up to the door, my dad greets us at the front porch while sizing up Liam and his car. After introductions, my dad takes Liam to show him the house and most likely to try to strike the fear of God into him if he hurts his baby girl.
All the other boys I have brought home have been boys my parents already knew. Liam is new and I can feel suspicion coming from my dad.
I find my mom in the kitchen making manicotti, one of my favorite foods, and sneaking a piece of cheese to Moon. “How was your hike?”
“Great! Liam did better than I expected. I didn’t think he was what you would call an outdoorsy guy.”
“He seems polite enough, but his car gives him away.” She chuckles because we both know that that car would not work well up here once winter comes.
“Yeah, he came up for a few days to say hi. He’s probably heading back soon. I don’t really know his plans. We didn’t talk about it.”
My mom gives me a curious look and then says, “I was waiting for you to explain but you don’t appear to be spilling the beans on your own, so I’ll just ask. Who is he? It’s not every day we get a polished man driving a convertible saying he is here to pick up Moon to go on a hike with you.” My mom tries to keep it light, but I hear some tension in her voice. Did he do something that made her not like him?
I haven’t told my mom about what happened with Liam. Who would? There are some things you just don’t want to share with your mother.
“He is a friend from when I worked at Amtika.”
“Just a friend? How come you never mentioned him? You know you can talk to me, Jamie. I’m here to listen and help. I have made a lot of mistakes myself over the years, and they have made me wiser.”
Just as I am about to spill everything, Liam and my father walk in. Liam gives me a smile as he sees my worried face. You never quite know what you are going to get with my father.
Mom announces that dinner is ready and we all head into the dining room. It feels strange to be eating in here. Normally, we only use this table for special occasions or holidays. I’m happy my parents are being extra polite with Liam; I’m still waiting for something crazy to happen and for him to run for the hills. So far so good, but we still have dinner to get through.
As we all sit down my mom opens a bottle of wine and says to Liam, “Thank you for bringing the wine. I figured tonight is as good as any to drink it.”
When did Liam do that? He is totally trying to suck up to my parents.
During dinner, the conversation stays light, and we end up finishing the bottle. Just as I’m about to get up and help clear the dishes, Moon yips from the living room, alerting us that someone is at the front door.
As I carry the dishes to the kitchen, my dad answers the door. Liam offers to help in the kitchen, and I give him a look and ask playfully, “Have you ever done dishes before?”
He answers with a laugh. “Yes, Jamie, I know how to do dishes. Do I routinely do them? No. But they are much more enjoyable when they are being done next to a gorgeous woman.”
Blushing from his comment, I tear away from his intense stare to see who was at the door. I peer beyond my father’s body and stop when I see Wren.
If looks could kill, Liam wouldn’t be alive any longer. Wren is angry, the fury practically burning behind his eyes.
But he doesn’t do anything. He just turns back to my father and says, “The sheriff just informed me that we have a missing family on the northeastern side of the park. It was reported an hour ago when they hadn’t returned to their hotel to meet up with the other family they traveled here with. Their car has been located at the Bear Creek trailhead, but there is no sight of them.”
For the next few minutes, they exchange conversation as I listen, going over various logistics.
“The sheriff has already gathered a team of his men, but there are children involved and he wants to get on this quickly. Everyone’s a little on edge since the bear attack.”
Before I can think, my voice says, “I can help.”
My dad turns towards me. I know he is going to tell me why it is a bad idea for me to go, but before he has the chance, Wren jumps in.
“John, she can stay with me and I can keep an eye on her. We need all the eyes we can get if we want to find them tonight.”
Great. I need to stay away from him. I can’t seem to control my feelings when he is near. But it is too late now, so I say, “Let me change. I’ll be down in five and ready to go.”
Liam’s eyes are on me as I head to my bedroom. Before I can get there, he calls to me. I try to ignore him because I know what he’s going to say, but when I reach my bedroom, he reaches it at the same time and steps in with me. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
I give him a look. I am changing. What are you doing in here?
Understanding, he replies, “Jamie, I have seen you naked hundreds of times. I am a grown man; I can control myself around a beautiful naked woman.”
Not wanting to waste time, I go into my closet and pull out jeans, a thermal top, and my hiking boots, then strip and dress quickly.
When I am finished, Liam steps closer, so that his nose is touching mine. “I had other ideas of how tonight would end. Are you sure you don’t want to make an excuse and come back with me?”
I take a step back. “I need to help. These woods are dangerous at night and an inexperienced family will not fare well. Plus, I thought we agreed to take this slow. It’s been two days.”
He brushes a piece of hair out of my face. “Please be careful out there and text me when you get back. I will be worrying until I hear from you. If I didn’t think I would be more of a burden than a help, I would volunteer, too.”
With that, we head downstairs. Wren and my father are still discussing the matter, circling areas on a map. As I head toward them, Liam grabs my arm and pulls me back, placing a light kiss on my lips.
He steps back and walks towards the door, “Jamie, be careful and text me. I will be in town a few more days so let’s make plans.”
Before I can respond, he leaves.
I turn towards my father and Wren. My father seems unfazed, but Wren looks as if his skin is rippling, as if he might explode in anger. He says, “Excuse me,” and quickly walks toward the back door.
That was weird.
I peer over my father’s shoulder to see what they have worke
d up while I was upstairs changing. The map has several areas circled and numbered.
As I’m studying it, trying to get my bearings, my dad murmurs, “I think Wren has feelings for you. He typically is a very calm guy, but he always seems to get riled up around you.”
I simply nod because the last thing I want to do is talk about boys with my father. “I’m going to see if Wren is ready to go. It’s been dark for an hour and we need to start looking.”
Outside, Wren is pacing. When he sees me, he stops and gives me an accusing stare. Without saying another word, he walks back in the house, brushing against me as he passes. There is a quick shock as his arm touches mine, and then he is gone.
I return to the living room a few seconds later to find my father standing there, alone.
“Wren said to meet him in his car whenever you are ready.”
I nod.
Just before I reach the door, my dad’s voice calls out, “Please be careful Jamie. Your mom and I are still freaked out about the last incident. Just don’t lose track of Wren and you will be fine.”
I respond, “I will, Dad. You take care of yourself, too.”
With that, I walk out the door.
I imagine spending the night with Wren, walking around the forest. This could turn into a very interesting night.
Chapter 19:
The drive is full of awkward silence. Neither of us have anything to say. I just sit there and look out the window.
What happened at that party long ago is the source of all my problems. If it hadn’t happened, I’d probably be living happily ever after with Mark. I have been confused and mad at myself for so long because of that one night. I never would have done that to Mark if I could have helped it.
There is just something about Wren that makes my brain stop functioning. The desire that sparks when I am near him doesn’t seem real. It’s like a spell or a curse.
I’m on the edge of my seat, as far away from Wren as possible. There is a heat radiating from him, and I keep thinking about the sparks of electricity I feel whenever he touches me, even in the most innocent way.