Page 40 of Love Letter Lost
“You guys didn’t tell me this trail got hard,” Ridge panted as we continued to climb.
I laughed, though it sounded more like a gasp of escaping air. “For Utah, this is an easy hike.”
“Do you guys want to go up or down?” Audrey asked, referring to the point where the path split up ahead.
“I vote down,” I said. While the view was beautiful from the top of the falls, the climb up was even steeper than our current path, with shifting rock that was hard to walk on.
“Which is better?” Ridge asked.
“Probably down,” Audrey said.
“Any way we could swing both? I’d love to see the view if we can,” Ridge said.
“Probably. Let’s see how we’re all feeling after we rest at the waterfall for a bit,” I said, panting with each word.
We took the turn for the base of the waterfall. The water flowed down the cliff face, making a peaceful rushing sound as it cascaded over the rocks into the pool at its base. I paused for a moment, taking in the sight. No matter how many times I hiked up here, I still loved seeing the waterfall.
“This is nice.” Ridge maneuvered around the few people who were there to get closer to the falls.
“I think you need a picture.” Audrey held out her hand for Ridge’s phone.
Ridge patted his pockets. “Shoot. I must have left my phone in the car.”
“You can use mine.” I held up the device.
“Thanks.” Ridge positioned himself on some rocks in the river, the waterfall providing a perfect backdrop for the picture.
I snapped a couple of photos, hoping that I would remember to text them to Ridge after our hike when I had better service. “These look great.”
“Awesome. You should be in them too.” Ridge motioned for me to join him.
“I’m all sweaty,” I demurred, not needing photo reminders of my time with Ridge.
“Come on,” Ridge insisted. “We need to capture this moment, a reminder of our hiking and wedding prepping success.”
“Fine.” I turned looking for someone to take the picture. Audrey held out her hand for the device, her lips curving down and her eyebrows crinkling together. “But don’t you want to be in the picture too?”
Audrey just shook her head. “I’d rather take the picture.”
I handed her the phone and reluctantly made my way over to Ridge. I stopped, a foot away from Ridge, and turned toward the camera.
“Closer than that,” Audrey called. I stuck my tongue out at her and inched closer.
“Come on.” Ridge grabbed my arm and tugged me in his direction. “I don’t bite.”
It took me a moment to register where on my arm he’d grabbed. The ridges of my scar were beneath his fingers, drawing his attention downward. While only a couple of inches long, the puckered edges stood out sharply against my skin. I had long since stopped trying to cover the mark, accepting it as part of me, but it was clearly the first time Ridge had noticed the line, a reminder of the accident and the night he ran away.
“What—”
Forgetting where we were, I jerked my arm back, causing my foot to slip on the rock. I gave a small shriek, working to regain my balance before I fell and soaked my shoes. Ridge grabbed my arm again and helped me onto the rock next to him.
“Careful,” he said, once I’d gotten my balance. “We still have to hike back.”
I nodded, pulling my arm from his grasp and turning to face the camera. Ridge settled his arm around my shoulders, and we stood there, grins stretching across our faces, as Audrey took the picture. My whole body seemed to come alive with his touch, but I tried to ignore it. Even conjuring images of Amber hugging him the night before couldn’t fully dispel the pleasure I felt at his touch. Though if I focused on it enough, the shock on his face when he saw my scar might do the trick.
“Got it.” Audrey called and we broke apart, moving back to the bank.
“Thanks.” I took my phone from Audrey.
