Page 20 of What We Keep
I passed by the resort on one side and could see the property where they had the rescue program, which I was curious about. My memory led me to the waterfall even though I wasn’t sure I could find it. I followed a trail through some trees until I could hear the falls rushing. I reached the river first, smiling at the bluish water. This river branched off from a bigger river fed by a glacier.
The rushing water grew louder as I approached, and I felt a smile break across my face. As soon as I turned onto the path, the clearing opened. A pool was at the base of the falls, with water cascading over the rocks.
This memory was clear. I loved it here.
I stepped to the edge of the pool before skirting around to walk along the rocks behind the falls. That had been my favorite thing when I was little. It was a rock shelf that seemed magically dry to me as a child.
It was past the season when the salmon were running, but when the time was right, they swam right over this waterfall into the pool below, hence its popularity as a tourist destination for fishing. As I came back out from behind the falls, I let out a little squeak when I saw Haven standing on the other side of the pool.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he called.
“I hope it’s okay I’m here,” I called in return, slipping back from the rock ledge to round the water at the base of the falls.
“Of course, it’s okay,” he said easily.
“I told your mom I might walk over here,” I said, as if I had to explain myself.
Haven tipped his head to the side. “Totally fine. You don’t have to report your whereabouts. You’re staying here, so come to the falls all you want.”
I smiled up at him, feeling a giddy sense of joy. Even though he was being kind and polite, I had already picked up that he was a little taciturn, giving off a vibe of carrying the entire world on his shoulders. But then, I suppose he shouldered a lot. He was the oldest of the brothers and probably had to pick up so many pieces after the fire.
“Thank you again for offering to let me stay here.” I had to hold back from giving him a hug, which was probably for the best, because I also totally had the hots for him. Even though this hug wasn’t about that. “I walked over to our property this morning. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I’m going to build a house,” I announced, as if saying it firmly enough would will it to fruition.
A little glint entered his gaze. “You’ll figure it out. We can probably help with a plan for that and even help build it.”
“Huh?” I blurted out.
“Well, we didn’t build this resort ourselves because it’s pretty freaking big, but we’re all handy. We’ll help with whatever you want.”
“Okay.” I eyed him skeptically. “I think you’re kind of busy, Haven. And it’s a long shot. I know it won’t happen soon. Step one: get a job. That’s as far as I’ve gotten in my planning,” I said dryly.
He nodded, his eyes dipping down as he idly scuffed the toe of his boot on the ground.
“Did you follow me because you saw me?” I asked.
“I saw someone walking through the trees, but I didn’t realize it was you. That’s all. I love coming here. It’s one of my favorite places.”
“I used to sneak over here when I was a kid. I figure I can fess up now. You know, asking forgiveness rather than permission. Oh, years later.” I waved airily toward the waterfall.
When he smiled and chuckled, I felt like I’d won something and almost clapped my hands. “It wouldn’t have mattered. People were always here at the falls when the resort was open. I’m surprised you managed to sneak anywhere. My mom’s back at the house making breakfast for you.”
“What? She doesn’t need to make me breakfast. Haven, you need to tell her she doesn’t have to cook for me all the time.”
“I’m not going to tell her that.”
“Why?”
“Because it makes her happy. So humor me.”
Chapter Eleven
Haven
The following day
Elsa’s voice reached me from down the hall. “What do you think?”
I tried to ignore the way my pulse kicked up at the sound of her voice.
