Page 23 of Love By a Landslide

Even with diligent organization, there were so many variables that he didn’t want to tempt fate by playing things fast and loose. Plans—and, more importantly, sticking to those plans—were necessary. Still, there didn’t seem to be any harm in dropping the orchestrated production where the conversation was concerned.

Jonathan shrugged, conceding to the suggestion. “Suit yourself.”

“Besides,” Lucy said, letting out a sigh and gesturing around her. “Look at where we are. It’s breathtaking. Being out here . . . This is what I came for.”

He also looked around as they continued to climb, completely understanding what she meant. While his dad’s diminishing health had brought him back early all those years ago, it was the region that kept him there. He loved the mountains, the diverse plant life, and the little town of Leavenworth nestled in the middle of it. There were distinct seasons that could satisfy adventurers who enjoyed the whole gamut of outdoor activities. Generally speaking, this part of Washington was where he belonged, but he felt most at home out on the trails. Even though he’d hiked them hundreds of times with his father and then later in life with customers, each trip felt new in some way or another. When he brought newcomers on a hike, he felt a unique sense of happiness, witnessing unfettered awe as it tooktheir breath away. Jonathan could live vicariously through their exposure—finding yet another new wonder to notice—which gave him a warmth that spread from his heart to his whole body.

Jonathan felt that heat intensely this go-around. He had a suspicion it was because of Lucy. She gasped at the views, breathed out sounds of reverence, and reached out to touch everything. Her joy and fulfillment were palpable. And she made no attempt to hide her wonderment. It made his skin vibrate.

Shemade his skin vibrate.

He hazarded a glance over his shoulder. Lucy appeared to be settling into the rhythm of the trek. She was beaming, and not just from the sweat that glistened on her forehead or the rosy glow of her cheeks. A picture of unrestrained joy. She paused to sniff a cluster of lupines. Her eyes closed, and a soft moan hummed through her closed-lipped smile. The look of falling in love swept across her face. She reached a hand toward a stalk of the delicate purple flower.

“Don’t pick that—oohff—” Jonathan’s warning broke off as he caught a toe under a popped-up root. He stumbled and landed squarely on his left hip and elbow.

“Shit! Are you ok?” Lucy scrambled over and knelt at his side then reached out to unclip the straps at his waist and chest. Sliding a hand along each shoulder, she helped him remove his backpack.

“I’m fine,” he ground out through clenched teeth. He took stock of his body from head to toe, especially aware of the areas where she’d touched him. One of her hands still rested on his arm, and the heat that passed through his sleeve sizzled.

Focus, man.

No breaks, no sprains. His finicky lower back twinged slightly, and he made a mental note to keep an eye on it. He’d most likely develop a bruise on his hip to match the one on his ego. “Tripped ona damn root.”

“You sure you’re fine?” Lucy unclipped her pack and sat down next to him.

“Positive.” Dusting himself off, Jonathan prepared to stand, but Lucy tightened her grip slightly on his arm. He paused.

“I could use a rest if that’s all right. Can we sit here a bit?” She smiled gently and wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.

Whether the rest was for her sake or his, Jonathan didn’t know. But he supposed it couldn’t hurt to take a quick breather. “Yeah, sure.” He opened his pack and pulled out a sizeable bag of trail mix. After scooping some for himself, he passed it over, offering to share. With a grateful grin, she dug in and pulled out an impressively large fistful despite the small size of her hand.

Popping a few bites in her mouth, Lucy asked, “What were you telling me a minute ago? When you tripped.”

“Oh, yeah. I was going to tell you not to pick that flower.”

“I wasn’t going to pick it; I just wanted to touch it.”

“That wouldn’t be smart either. Lupines are poisonous.”

“Well, I wasn’t going to eat it.” She snorted, shaking her head. Having finished her snack, she pulled off that blindingly bright purple coat and stuffed it into her bag.

“I should hope not.”

“Maybe lick it a little, but I definitely wouldn’t eat it.”

Jonathan narrowed his eyes and gave his best admonishing scowl.

“I’m kidding. Jeez, lighten up.” Lucy lifted her eyebrows and drew an X over her chest with her finger. “Cross my heart. I promise I won’t lick anything on the trail.”

He was acting uptight and needed to relax. She may be out of practice with hiking, but he could tell she wasn’t an idiot. Most adults had enough common sense not to do something too reckless. Clearly, she was trying to be playful and lighten the mood to take his mind off the tumble. Delayed embarrassment singedhis neck.

Way to be steady on your feet, you klutz.

“See that you don’t.” He relaxed the glower a little.

She smiled at him and rose to her feet. After dusting herself off, she reached out to help him up. While he could manage himself, he felt compelled to reach out anyway and enveloped her small hand in his. A fleeting fantasy of pulling her down onto his lap crossed his mind, which he promptly shook away as he stood. Dropping her hand, Jonathan reminded himself that he needed to keep things professional. Being friendly was one thing, but having sexy thoughts—or worse, acting on sexy thoughts—was something else entirely.

Chapter thirteen

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