Page 7 of Pumpkins for Parker
Someone like Vesper.
The B&B comes into view, and the front porch light glows in the darkness. I can see Vesper’s silhouette already waiting outside. She has her camera bag slung over her shoulder and what looks like a travel mug in her hand. Even at six a.m. and from this distance, she looks beautiful.
She’s got real curves, the kind that makes me want to wrap my arms around her and never let go. There’s something so appealing about a woman who looks like she enjoys life, good food, and laughter. A woman who’s comfortable in her own skin. Vesper’s soft in all the right places, and I can’t help but fantasize about what it would feel like to undress her and kiss her naked body.
I shake my head, trying to get the images of a naked Vesper out of my head. The last thing I need is to arrive with a hard-on.
I idle the truck and she gets in, bringing the scent of something floral and warm with her.
“Morning, Parker,” she greets me with a big smile.
I laugh. “You’re awfully cheerful for having to get up this early.”
She shrugs as she clicks her seatbelt into place. “I’m used to early-morning photo sessions. You learn to function on coffee and adrenaline in this business.” She holds up her travel mug like evidence. “Speaking of which, I may have already had two cups, so I might be a little wired.”
“Good. You’ll need the energy for the hike up to Lookout Rock,” I say as I put the truck in drive and pull away from the B&B.
“How far is it?”
“About a twenty-minute drive, then maybe a fifteen-minute hike. The trail’s not too bad, but it gets steep near the end.”
She settles back in her seat, and I catch her looking around the interior of my truck. She scrutinizes the worn leather seats, the coffee-stained cup holder, and the work gloves tossed on the dashboard before turning to me. “Nice truck.”
“It gets the job done.” I glance over at her. “So, you ever been hiking before?”
“Charleston, where I live, has some decent hiking spots, but I’m usually too busy with work to explore much.”
We drive away from town and start climbing the mountain road. The higher we get, the more the mist clings to the trees, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. I steal glances at Vesper as she watches the landscape change outside her window, her eyes wide with fascination.
“This is incredible,” she breathes. “The way the fog wraps around everything? It’s like driving through a fairy tale.”
Her excitement is infectious, and I suddenly find myself seeing my daily, familiar route through her eyes. She’s right. It’s gorgeous.
“Wait until you see the view from the top,” I say.
A few minutes later, I park at the trailhead and grab my backpack. “Ready?”
She nods and follows me, her hands gripping her camera, ready for action.
The trail starts easy enough, winding through tall pines and maples beginning to turn. Vesper keeps stopping to take pictures, and I wait patiently each time until she’s done.
“Sorry,” she says after her fifth stop. “I know this is supposed to be about the destination, but the journey is pretty amazing too.”
“Don’t apologize. Taking pictures is what you’re here for.”
As we climb higher, the trail gets steeper. I can hear her breathing harder with every step, but she doesn’t complain. When I offer to carry her camera bag, she waves me off.
“I’m fine. Just give me a second.” She stops and takes a few deep breaths, her hands placed on her knees. “Okay, I may have underestimated the Tennessee mountains.”
“You’re doing great, Vesper. And we’re almost there.”
The promise of the destination being right around the corner gives her a renewed burst of energy. We round the final bend, and Lookout Rock opens up in front of us. The cliff face extends out over the valley, offering a panoramic view that never fails totake my breath away, even though I’ve seen it hundreds of times before.
The entire town of Maple Ridge spreads out below us, looking like a miniature village. Beyond that, Osprey Lake glimmers in the morning light, and the mountains roll on for miles in every direction. But I’m not looking at the view this time. I’m looking at Vesper.
Her face lights up like Christmas morning. She lets out a little gasp and immediately lifts her camera.
“Oh my God, Parker. This is…” She trails off, already moving to different spots along the cliff, checking angles and light. “This is absolutely perfect. Thank you for bringing me here.”
