Page 13 of Reign or Shine

I needed to get over his title or rank or whatever it was that seemed to be glued in my head. I was categorizing him. Holding him hostage in this little box when he was so much more than a title.

I needed to get over my damn self. Henry had done nothing but be a kind and considerate man. He’d also been refreshingly honest about his attraction to me. Who booked a private hike at double the rate just to spend time with them? Henry—that’s who.

I promised myself right then that I would give him a chance. We had this opportunity, just us, to get to know one another while seeing some of the most breathtaking sights in Calgary. I was going to take it.

With my mind made up I instantly felt the tension in my shoulders melt and the stress in my smile ebb. As if sensing the change, Henry paused in clipping together the restraints of his backpack across his broad chest and eyed me.

“Need any help?” I asked him, following suit and picking up my backpack, which was resting by my feet.

“No, I think I’m all good.”

My head tilts back as I look up at him. The light dizzying flutters that began in my stomach the moment he arrived burst into full butterflies.

He brings a hand up to the side of my face, cradling my cheek. The instant his warm palm touches my skin, I feel electric.

“How are you today, sunshine?”

God, that nickname. I don’t care how many times I hear him say it, each time feels special. He makes me feel special.

“I’m good,” I whisper back, hypnotized by the sky blue of his eyes. “Are you good?”

One side of his grin tips higher than the other. “Better than good. I’m here with you.”

I unintentionally stop breathing, the answer taking my breath away.

On a whoosh of air, disguising my sigh, I step back.

“Good. Great. Fantastic,” I ramble, not sure what the hell I’m doing. “How about…we get going? Yes! Let’s get going.”

Oh my God, Ellie, nice cover. It’s not like leading this hike is your job or anything. I internally shake my head at my idiocy.

“Lead the way,” Henry says with a sweep of his hand.

So I do. Giving my backpack one little hoist on my back, I turn and head to the trail’s opening. There’s no going back now. We’re really doing this.

Fingering the walkie-talkie that’s hooked on the side of my belt, I reassure myself that everything will be okay. Even though Henry and I are the only ones scheduled to hike this particular trail today from Elevated Adventures, I still have a team of people who are looking out for me. Plus, this was a public trail. I’m sure we’d run into other hikers too along the way.

A couple minutes into the hike, surrounded by the quiet of nature with only the crunch of our boots to disturb the peace, my equilibrium returns. I always feel my best when surrounded by nature, out in the sunshine.

“How long have you been leading hikes like this?” Henry’s voice floats to me from behind.

“About three years now. I used to live in Toronto—do you know where that is?” His grunt sounds affirmative, so I continue. “With an engineering job. I was supposed to step in and join the family firm. I thought I liked it in the city, you know? But all it took was a visit out here to meet up with college friends and I knew this was where I was meant to be. And then the obsession with hiking took over.” I laughed at my own words.

Obsession was putting it mildly. As soon as I discovered Elevated Adventures and found out they were hiring, I applied nonstop until I got the job.

“I can understand that. There’s something so humbling, yet so powerful about being out in nature. Back in my country, we have mountains and trails similar to this, and I try to get out and explore them as often as I can.”

His words hit me like nothing else ever has. That’s exactly how I feel when I’m outside, getting lost in these hills: powerful but humble. I’ve never felt so small surrounded by these tall trees, decades in the making and yet so strong. They inspire me, making me believe I can tackle any challenge that comes my way.

Licking my lips, I eye him over my shoulder. “And do you? Get out often?”

“No.” He shakes his head slightly, eyes turned down to watch his step. “Unfortunately a lot of my duties have me behind a desk. But I’m hoping to change that soon.”

That has my curiosity piqued. I’m not able to ask him what he means, instead he asks me a question.

“So is all your family back in Toronto?”

Dread falls like a brick in my stomach. Family was always a sensitive topic for me.

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