Page 48 of Wild Love

"You're going to want to pull yourself up and over."

Scarlett scoffed. "Just pull myself up, huh?"

"If you need a boost, I can give you one." I was beneath her at this point.

She scrambled over the rock face so quickly I didn't have a chance to give her a push. She knelt on the rock and looked down at me, a big grin on her face. "Are you coming?"

I shook my head. "You're something else; you know that?"

"That's what I've been told all my life." Scarlett said it lightly, but I had a feeling it held a heavy meaning for her.

I thought she was amazing. I wanted her to stay and see how great it was to have a support system, even though she was strong and independent.

I climbed up after her, then unhooked our gear. We sat on the flat surface and enjoyed the view of downtown.

Scarlett sighed. "This is gorgeous."

"I told you you'd love it." Pleasure unfurled in my chest.

"I can't believe I grew up here, and I've never seen this view before."

"You have to hike and climb to get the good views. You can't stay in town." When we were kids, she performed plays at the lodge but never joined us on our adventures.

She laughed softly. "I guess this is why everyone travels here."

"Colorado has amazing views and trails to hike. But there's nothing like Telluride. Every adventure is available to us."

Her forehead creased. "Are you saying I don't have to travel to see amazing things?"

"That's up to you to decide." I needed to show her how amazing Telluride could be, but I wouldn't pressure her like her family. I didn’t want to be an obligation. I wanted to be the person she desired to spend time with.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm running from something or looking for something, but I don't know what. When will I be truly content?"

I was a little surprised by her candor. "Only you can decide that. But maybe you won't find it if you're constantly moving around."

"You're saying I have to stay in one place?" she asked carefully.

"Isn't that what you're doing now?"

She blew out a breath. "I was hoping to figure out something while I was here, but no luck so far."

"You have to be open to it. If you're stuck in your old ways and thoughts, it will be hard to see things in a new way."

"Is that your master plan? Show me these amazing new things, and something will come to me? An answer about what I'm supposed to do with my life."

I chuckled, hoping she hadn't caught onto my plan. "Something like that. Is it working?"

She smiled over at me. "I don't have clarity on my future, but I'm sure enjoying the present."

As long as no one expected anything from her in her personal life, she seemed content.

"You knew at a young age exactly what you wanted to do. I feel like I don't know myself at all."

"You probably do. You just haven't been paying attention."

She glanced at me. "How did you get so good at this stuff?"

"I think it's being the oldest. I have to deal with everyone's problems. I learned to navigate fights, disagreements. I learned a lot about myself along the way." I pulled out our picnic lunch: a couple of sandwiches, grapes, and waters.

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