The Summer of Lost Things

by Chantele Sedgwick

—Bram Stoker, Dracula

  The next few days pass by and Mom is still not herself. She took me to town and we picked up a bunch of job applications, but that’s about it.

  I’ve filled out a few. I know I should get a job to help Mom with bills, but I don’t want to get one just to “keep me busy,” as she put it. I want to work where I want to work—not where she wants me to work and for all the wrong reasons.

  So, the days go by. Me, looking for more jobs online. Searching some social sites, checking up on Ashley, who is quite obsessed with her new boyfriend and apparently doesn’t have time to talk to me at all.

  I should probably text her, but I don’t. She’s drifting away, and I’m sure she doesn’t really have time to think of me right now.

  Mira and Jack have work to do, so I read a lot, help Mom with some projects even though she doesn’t talk to me unless she has to, and also cross a few things off my list.

  Lucy’s Summer Bucket List

  1. Read twenty-five books.

  2. Go swimming at the beach. At night.

  3. Learn a new skill. (Horseback riding.)

  4. Meet someone new.

  5. Do something crazy. Something I’d never normally do. (Cliff jumping)

  6. Find an awesome and challenging hike. (Research)

  7. Try a new look. Dye my hair? Cut it? Something daring.

  8. Outdoor Concert. (Need to research.)

  9. Summer Romance. (There must be kissing for it to count.) *Jack?

  10. Find out who Susan is and visit her grave. (Mom knows. Keep asking.)

  11. Forgive Dad.

  Things are getting done, and what’s left are the hardest items. I guess some of them aren’t that hard—I just have to do some research—but the Dad one and the Susan one are driving me crazy.

  Another letter came. Along with Oakley’s wedding announcement. She looks gorgeous in it, standing on the beach wrapped in Carson’s arms.

  I can’t wait to see her in August.

  I put my summer list away, bored. I woke early this morning for no reason. I’m not sleeping well lately. Too much going on in my head, I guess.

  Mom’s not up yet and I don’t want to bug her, especially with how she reacted after news of my cliff jumping and how she’s been acting ever since. I write her a note and leave it on the counter, telling her I’m going out. Hopefully she’ll feel better when I come back.

  Maybe.

  I walk down the driveway, not really knowing where I’m going, and finally stop at the fence lining Kelly Stables. I lean against it, watching a few horses graze. I don’t see Sherlock anywhere, which makes me sad. He’s my favorite.

  I see people across the field, Ashton I think, giving riding lessons to some kids. I think I spot Jack on a horse, but I’m not sure. There’s no cowboy hat in sight and that’s what he’s usually wearing when he’s working or riding.

  A few minutes later, someone rides across the field toward me and I smile.

  “Hey,” Jack says, sitting on a huge black horse. He stops just shy of the fence.

  “Holy . . .” I trail off, staring at the horse. It’s enormous.

  Jack laughs at my reaction. “This is Darcy. I figured you’d want to meet him, seeing how much you love Pride and Prejudice.”

  Darcy sniffs my hand when I reach out to stroke his velvet nose. “He’s beautiful. And huge.”

  “Yeah, he’s pretty awesome. A little spirited, but he’s a good horse.”

  I keep stroking Darcy’s nose and he doesn’t seem to mind at all. I glance up at Jack. “Aren’t you working?”

  “Not right now.”

  “What are you doing later?”

  Jack cocks his head to the side. “Why later?”

  “I assume you’re working later, which means sooner. Than later.”

  “Huh?”

  “I have no idea.”

  He chuckles and glances behind him. “You know what? Come with me.”

  “What? Now?”

  “Yes.” He sets the reins to the side and drops to the ground. Darcy shakes his head in annoyance but stays where he’s at. “Come with me.” He holds out a hand.

  I take it.

  He smiles, his white teeth gleaming, and pulls me over to the horse. “Now, Darcy’s a little taller than Bronte, so I’ll give you a boost.”

  “No way.”

  “Oh, come on.”

  I sigh. “Fine.”

  I barely get my foot in the stirrup, when Jack asks, “Ready?”

  “Uh . . . No?”

  He doesn’t say anything else, just lifts me up, pushing me onto the horse. I barely even have to do anything.

  My cheeks flame as his hands leave my thigh. “Thanks.”

  He climbs up behind me.

  “I thought horses couldn’t hold two people?”

  He situates himself in the saddle behind me. “Not for long, no. But we’re not going far.”

  His breath tickles my ear and his arms wrap around me, taking hold of the reins. “Ready?”

  “For?” I’m nervous. This horse could seriously take me out with one little gallop.

  Jack chuckles and kicks the horse to move. Darcy takes off, bouncing me all over the place. I can’t help it—I let out a high-pitched scream.

  Jack laughs behind me and wraps one arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

  I realize we’re not running that fast, but still, it’s jarring. After a moment of being jostled, I find a rhythm and relax.

  “This isn’t so bad,” I shout.

  He laughs in response and steers us toward the stables. He pulls on the reins, bringing Darcy to a stop.

  Jack gets off first, then helps me down. I don’t flatten him to the ground this time, but I still end up in his arms as my feet hit the ground.

  I look up at him, smiling. “Much more graceful this time.”

  He grins. “Sort of. I guess.”

  I smack him softly and he laughs.

  “So, I have an idea. You mentioned one of your items on your list was to find a good hike, right?”

  “Yes,” I say slower than I mean to. “Why?”

  “Let’s just say, I know the perfect place. You don’t have anything to do today, do you?”

  “Nothing. I have to drop off a few job applications, but I’ll probably do it tomorrow.”

  “Great. A hike it is then. Let me go change and I’ll take you home to change. Then we’ll go.”

  After he gives Darcy to one of the stable workers, I follow him to his truck and feel excitement bubbling as he drives us to his house. I haven’t been to his house yet, and I’m not sure if I should stay in the truck when he stops.

  “You coming?” he asks, a smile on his face.

  “Yeah.” I unbuckle and jump out of the truck to hurry after him.

  His house is beautiful. Old, like mine, but everything has such a classic farmhouse feel. The floor is hardwood, the walls are a soft white with pictures of chickens, baskets full of eggs, and paintings of flowers hanging on each one.

  A lovely woman about Mom’s age comes down the stairs, a basket of laundry in her arms.

  “Hey, Mom,” Jack says. “This is Lucy.”

  “Oh!” She nearly drops the basket before Jack grabs it out of her hands and sets it on the floor. She tucks a strand of blond hair behind her ear then holds out a hand. “Hi, Lucy. Jack’s told me so much about you.”

  I glance at him and he rolls his eyes, but I can see the tips of his ears turning red.

  “I’m taking Lucy to Silver Falls today,” Jack says. “She’s never been before, and I thought she might like the waterfalls.”

  “Oh, you’ll love Silver Falls. It’s so beautiful. One of the crown jewels of Oregon, in my opinion.” She turns to Jack. “Be safe, son, okay?”

  “Mom,” he says, as she kisses his cheek. “We’ll be fine.”

  She smiles then turns to me. “I have to worry. He’s my baby.”

  “Mom,” he says again, this time with a groan.

>   She and I both laugh.

  “Don’t worry. Jack’s seen my mom in her pajamas, so . . . yeah.”

  “I met your mom at the store the other day. She’s a lovely woman. My husband actually knows her. I’d introduce you two, but he’s at work right now.”

  I raise an eyebrow at Jack.

  “He helps out at the stables, but he works at a law firm for his full-time job.”

  “Oh.”

  “Let me go get changed. I’ll be right back.” He bounds up the stairs.

  “You can have a seat, honey,” Jack’s mom says.

  She gestures toward a little bench in the entryway. It’s covered in padding, with black and white spots on the material, like a cow.

  I sit.

  “It was so nice to meet you. You’re welcome to come over anytime. We’d love to have you for dinner. Maybe next week?”

  “Oh, thank you. That would be nice.”

  She nods, gives me a smile, and heads down the hall.

  I glance at a clock on the wall with apples on its face. It’s only 7:30. I’m actually surprised I’m up this early.

  Jack doesn’t take long. Before I know it, he’s hurrying down the stairs, dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts. “Do you like turkey sandwiches?”

  “Why?”

  “We’re gonna be hiking a for a while, so we’ll want some lunch.”

  “Okay, yes, turkey is fine.”

  I follow him into the kitchen, which is cute with lots of windows and a little nook where the light spills in. The nook would be perfect for reading.

  “Can I help with anything?” I ask as Jack hurries around the kitchen, puling things from the fridge and cupboard.

  “Nope. I’m good.”

  Ten minutes later, he has a backpack full of food and water. “Ready?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to carry anything?”

  He shakes his head. “I invited you. I carry the food.”

  “Fine,” I say, defeated, but smile just the same.

  “Bye, Mom,” he yells as we head toward the front door.

  “Love you!” is the reply.

  “Your mom is so nice,” I say. I love how she adores him. And he obviously loves her, too.

  “She’s pretty great at embarrassing me.” He laughs and opens the truck door for me.

  “I know the feeling.”

  When we get to my house, I just run inside and he stays in the truck. The house is quiet, yet the car’s outside so I know Mom’s home. I don’t know if she’s still sleeping or what, but I don’t dare wake her and face her wrath if she’s still in a mood. I change into a tank and some shorts, write another note and tell her where I’m going, making sure I have my cell with me before I leave.

  When I get in the truck, rock-and-roll blasts from the radio. I look at Jack in surprise. “You like rock music?”

  He smiles, a little sheepish. “Mira has tried to get me to like country, since she calls me a country boy, but I just can’t get into it.”

  “Want to listen to Blue Fire?”

  “Of course! It’s too bad they broke up. I like Jaxton Scott’s new stuff, though.”

  “Me too.”

  He plugs in his phone, turns the volume up, and peels out of the driveway.

  CHAPTER 24

  “‘My idea of good company . . . is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.’

  –You are mistaken,’ said he gently, ‘that is not good company, that is the best. ’”

  —Jane Austen, Persuasion

  The first thing I notice about Silver Falls State Park is that it’s green. So green that I pull my phone out and take pictures before we even leave the truck.

  “You know, they’ll probably be clearer if you get out,” Jack says.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s just so beautiful!” I get out, marveling at all the trees, snapping a few more photos on my phone. “Where are we hiking?”

  “We’re going to hike the Trail of Ten Falls. It starts right there. It’s pretty long, probably about three to four hours. Is that okay?”

  I nod. “I like a good challenge. My dad used to take me on hikes in Wyoming. We did some pretty impressive ones.”

  “So you’re up for it then. Excellent. This one is worth it. The ten waterfalls are awesome.” He hitches the backpack on his shoulders and pulls out his phone to check the time. “Ready to go? Do you need to do anything before we start?”

  “Nope. I’m ready.”

  He starts walking and I hurry until we’re walking side by side. He surprises me and grabs my hand as we start up the trail together. He doesn’t let go.

  I don’t mind. Not one bit.

  The trail is pretty much dirt and rocks, but the trees and the foliage? Breathtaking. Moss and vines snake up the trunks of the trees, covering them like a warm sweater. The ground is blanketed in green as well, and the air smells so good. A little like rain from all the mist. “I’ve never seen anywhere like this place before.”

  “I love it here. I like coming early because the crowds get worse the later it gets. This way we’ll get some good pictures and we won’t have to wait for people to get out of the way.”

  “It’s pretty busy then?”

  “All the time. All year round.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.”

  The first waterfall we reach is the South Falls waterfall. It’s so beautiful I can’t even speak. It’s huge. There’s even a trail to walk behind the falls. Jack guides me around, careful as we step on wet ground. I take in the power of the water, crashing onto the rocks as we walk. So crazy. Before I know it, we’re behind the waterfall. I reach my hand out, letting flecks of water dot my skin, breathing in the cool, misty air.

  “This is fantastic,” I say.

  Jack laughs. “It’s pretty awesome. And this is just the beginning of the hike.” He grins. “Think you can keep up?”

  “The question is, do you think you can keep up?”

  He laughs and squeezes my hand. When we make it to the other side, I pull out my phone and snap a few more pictures, then Jack pulls his out and takes one of the both of us. I’m sure I’m smiling weird. I’m super great at ruining selfies.

  I’m surprised how easy the hike is. It’s not difficult, like some, with rocks and things to climb over. It’s pretty smooth, just inclines in some places, and sometimes the trail is damp from the spray of the waterfalls.

  The North Falls we hit next. I can’t get over how green everything is. The trees, the bushes, the moss, everything. It’s like I’ve stepped into a fairytale or something. I keep waiting for fairies to flit back and forth from the trees or for a unicorn to step through the bushes.

  It would not surprise me one bit. That’s how beautiful it is.

  “It’s magical here,” I say, earning a laugh from Jack.

  The only time he’s let go of my hand is to take a picture or adjust his bag, otherwise he’s picked it right back up. I like the feel of my hand in his. It’s perfect. Again, like a fairytale.

  He’s quiet a lot, taking in the scenery, watching the water spill into the ponds. I wonder what’s going on in his head. He’s very observant, and from what I’ve noticed, a really deep thinker.

  I appreciate that.

  Most of the time, if silence passes between me and someone else, I get all awkward and have to fill it.

  It’s different with him. The silence is comfortable. He’s easy to be with. He doesn’t try to show off or get my attention in obnoxious ways. He’s quiet, thoughtful, gentle.

  I wish more guys were like him.

  And I’m not gonna lie: I’m a little nervous about today. It’s our first real date-like outing, and I’m still not sure if he really likes me like that.

  But I definitely like him.

  He wouldn’t be holding my hand right now if he didn’t like me, right?

  I can never tell what a guy is thinking. And the same i
s true with him.

  We reach Double Falls. The ground is really wet around here, but I stop and take a picture anyway. The water spills over a high cliff and moss covers the rocks at the bottom where the water hits. How does moss grow in such random places? You’d think there would be nothing but slick rock, but no, green pops out everywhere.

  We walk a bit further and reach a little area with rocks to sit on. A good place to take a break.

  Jack stops and takes off his backpack, handing me a water bottle from inside.

  “Thanks,” I say, taking a drink. I screw the cap back on and hand it back to him.

  “Ready? Do you need a snack or anything?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Great. Let’s keep moving then.” He smiles, takes my hand, and we keep walking.

  We pass a few more waterfalls, each one of them breathtaking in their own right. This is the perfect place. The perfect hike. And I wouldn’t want to share it with anyone other than Jack.

  The Middle North Falls has another trail that goes behind the waterfall. I’ve decided seeing the other side of the waterfalls are my favorite part. The water splashing my face, the mist rolling off the water as it rains down from the cliff. I love it all.

  Jack stops and we watch the water pouring down for a moment. He squeezes my hand.

  “This is seriously perfect. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I scoot closer to him. “Do you bring girls here often?” I ask, teasing.

  He shakes his head. “Never. I don’t . . . I don’t date much.”

  “Why not?” Actually, I’m not surprised. Mira said as much.

  “No time, I guess. The girls at my school aren’t right for me, either.”

  I glance up at him and he smiles. He hesitates at first, but lifts his other hand, pushing a loose strand of dark hair behind my ear. I’m sure I have lots of hair falling from my ponytail. Now that it’s shorter, it’s harder to keep it contained. He turns to face me, still holding my other hand.

  “I don’t know if I’m good at . . . all this,” he says, gesturing to our clasped hands. “If you couldn’t tell. Like I said, I don’t date much. Or at all.”

  “It’s okay. I can help things along,” I say, laughing. I squeeze his hand then let him do the rest.

  He chuckles as his hand slides slowly down my cheek, his eyes on mine.