Page 42 of Back in the Saddle

She probably should’ve checked the maps before she had suggested meeting Hunter at Robbers Cave State Park. But it was too late for that now. After running off like he’d burned her yesterday, she didn’t want to cancel on him last minute.

She was also too proud to simply tell him she hadn’t realised how far it was.

So, here she was at 5.30 on a Sunday morning, shooting incredulous looks at any driver coming from the opposite direction as she clutched the steering wheel of Anna’s car. She turned up the volume on the radio, wanting to wake herself up with both the music and the black coffee she had poured into a travel mug on her way out.

‘The views had better be worth it,’ she muttered to herself as the joined the highway, following the route to the pinned location Hunter had shared with her last night.

He was already waiting for her when she pulled into the parking lot. ‘Morning.’ He flashed her a smile, touching the side of an orange-and-white trucker cap.

Caroline let out an exasperated breath as she jumped outof Anna’s car. She had got lost three times on her way. Tardiness flustered her, especially when it was of her own making.

‘Sorry I’m late.’

‘It’s fine. I’ve got something for you.’ He held out a brand-new copy ofA Lady’s Guide to Scandal. ‘I felt bad yours got ruined.’

Caroline opened her mouth, then closed it. She tried again. ‘You didn’t have to.’ A smile lifted her lips as her finger smoothed over the front cover. ‘Thank you.’

‘Least I could do. Hope you enjoy reading it.’

She looked into his eyes, shielded from the early morning sun by the cap.

Why are you so nice to me? I told you I’m married. You shouldn’t be this nice, not after all the shameless flirting and kissing before I dropped that bomb on you.

A warm breeze rustled the air, weaving through Caroline’s hair. She pushed a strand off her forehead and turned to open the passenger door to Anna’s car, where her purple backpack sat. Unzipping a side pocket, she pulled out a satin scrunchie and pulled her hair into a ponytail.

She put her backpack on, adjusting the straps. ‘Shall we? You promised me a walk.’

Hunter gave her a crooked smile. ‘Let’s go.’

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Hunter

Hunter bobbed his head towards a large map with a red marked-up path. ‘Do you just want to follow the nature trail?’

Caroline considered the map. ‘It says it takes about an hour. So, even if we stop on the way, we’ll be back before the temperature goes up.’ Her forehead creased. ‘Hopefully there won’t be many people this early on a Sunday,’ she added, like it was the most important consideration.

Hunter’s lips split in a smile. ‘Is that a yes, we’ll follow the trail?’

With a sigh, she cocked her head to one side. Her finger traced the path on the map, following it all the way to the Robbers Cave.

‘You said you’ve been here before?’ she asked.

‘I used to come here with my grandad. Then with my dad,after Grandad passed.’ He glanced at the map. ‘I can probably lead you to the cave with my eyes closed.’

Caroline let out a half-snort, half-laugh. ‘Please don’t. I didn’t pack a first aid kit. And it probably takes a while to get any rescue up here.’

‘You just assume that I’d hurt myself?’

‘I like to be prepared for the worst scenario,’ she murmured.

‘Fine. I’ll lead you up there with my eyes wide open.’ He glanced, catching the end of her eyeroll. ‘Left or right?’

She checked the map again. ‘Let’s go right. We’ll see the cave on the way back.’

They set off on the main path. The rocky terrain could be intimidating for some people, despite the steps chiselled into the rock. But Caroline’s back was straight, her shoulders squared, her face lacking any sign of worry. She looked like she not only knew what she was doing, but like she was in her element.

‘You hike a lot,’ he noted after they walked in silence for a bit, with only the shuffling sound of their walking boots against the path disturbing the serene morning.

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