Page 102 of Fighting the Odds

Taking hold of the handle, I open the door for her, allowing her to slide into the passenger seat before I shut it. I hurry around the Jeep and open the rear driver's side door, gently placing her bag on the seat, before getting in the driver's seat.

I can’t stop the nervous energy coursing through my body. Even I’d be annoyed with my fingers tapping manically on the steering wheel.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Yep. Let’s get this date started.” I check the rear-view mirror, making sure to take a confirming look over my shoulder as I pull into traffic.

“So, what are we doing? You’re being very secretive about it.”

“All will be known very soon.” I reach over and turn the music up, just a little.

I make my way down the road, heading to the outskirts of town. There’s a hiking trail that gets hardly any traffic and is sure to give us the privacy we need.

Each turn along the highway, I make sure to take with ease, taking careful note not to hit any potholes. Today’s picnic will be one for the record.

We don’t speak, and the silence between the two of us is making me anxious.

“Colton, I want to talk to you about something,” Sierra finally says, reaching forward and turning down the radio.

“I want to tell you something, too. Can we wait until we get to where we’re going? We are almost there. I just don’t want any distractions.”

“Okay.” Her voice falters slightly and I panic.

Please don’t let her be mad.

I take the last turn and pull down the dirt road, parking at the far end of the lot. It’s empty, just like I thought it would be.

Turning off the Jeep, my heart rate skyrockets. I open my door and step out. Sierra does the same and I walk around to her side.

“We’re going for a hike? I’m not complaining, it's beautiful here.”

“Yes, a hike, but we’re here because I need a place where no one could see us.”

She raises her eyebrow at me and takes a step back. “Are you planning to kill me and bury me deep in the woods so no one can find me?”

I burst out laughing.

“No, but I do have a surprise for you. I wanted to get you the perfect gift, so I went to Sam for advice. She gave me an amazing idea. So after our hike, when I take you home, you’ll get it. I think you’ll enjoy it before you go to work.”

“So I have a surprise I’ll like, but I can’t get it until after we do a lot of walking?” she asks in confusion.

I kick at the rock on the ground. It’s now or never.

“Yes. But I have another surprise and we needed somewhere secluded so I could give it to you.” I reach for the handle on the back door and open it, stepping to the side so Sierra can see.

The large blanket I had lying on the floorboard lifts up to show a smiling Sam.

Sierra’s jaw drops and she falls to her knees, sobbing as Sam jumps out of the back of the Jeep and wraps her arms around her.

“Colton, how? Why?” she sobs uncontrollably.

“I was horrible to you and I wanted to give you something that would make you happy. While Sam gave me great ideas, I knew there was only one thing you wanted. To see your sister. Sam and I had a long conversation while we were shopping for lunch and your other surprise. She knows she can’t say a word about seeing you. So, let’s go have some fun, because I have to have her home by three. Then, if it’s okay, I’d like to come back and hang out with you and finish our date.”

Sierra just looks at me, mouthing, “Thank you.”

Chapter 48

Sierra

---