Page 11 of Just a Plot Twist
Still, I’ve been guarded around them, even after Sophie and Oliver got married. They’re just so…perfect and handsome and rich. Intimidating. They’re nice and all, and Sophie sure loves them. Maybe I have that reserve left over from all the years my grandparents besmirched their names.
“Oh, yes,” he says. “You sort of look like her. I’m Benson Kilpack. Nice to meet you. Are you Claire?”
Does one stop and turn around in this situation? Do we shake hands? I mean, I’d love any excuse to stop for a second, but I settle for a quick tossof my head in his direction. “Nice to meet you, too. IamClaire.” I spend too long looking, waylaid for a second on his dark brown eyes. The lashes that fan out so perfectly. The robust brows and strong chin.
I’m not looking where I’m going. My foot wobbles in a rabbit hole and I pitch forward, managing to stop myself before I tumble. “Whew! That was close.”
He steadies my elbow. “You okay?”
“Just clumsy.” I laugh.
He drops his hand. “Oh wow.” Benson whistles. At first, I’m offended by his getting so much pleasure at my expense, but I’m trying not to fall, so I don’t notice what he’s talking about until I lift my head. He’s stepped around me and off the trail to a small clearing overlooking the view.
This whole hike, we’ve been under the cover of the trees overhead and the trail hasn’t been near the edge at all, so the view has been different. But now?
“What a sunrise,” I say. It’s uncommonly gorgeous. I get why people wake up at unholy hours and climb up freaking mountains.
I’m dreaming inside a kaleidoscope.
We’re not at the top quite yet, but this little cozy clearing here, with a small break between the trees, is everything. I get it now. The rows of violet mountains in the distance, the rolling valleys. The way the new peeks of sunlight dance on the still-dewy leaves.
All my work on the trailways project makes more sense now.
I’m so mesmerized, another divot in the trail sneaks up on me. And this time, my foot locks in, and gravity wrenches my ankle. Hard.
A tear…a pop.
And against my will, I’m on my hands and knees.
Chapter 4
Benson
Colorado sunrises, huh?
Wow.
I have to bring Dax and Indie up here. They cannot go through their childhood without breathing in this view and the cool, clean mountain air.
I turn back to the trail. Is Claire enjoying this as much as I am?
But she’s not there. And then, an agonized groan.
She sits crossed legged in the dirt, her light brown ponytail askew.
“Did you fall?” I say, stepping away from the view to return to her.
She gives up an embarrassed half laugh. “No. I wanted to do some yoga right here. Don’t mind me.” She rolls her eyes, her cheeks reddening. She rubs her ankle, pointing and flexing her foot.
“Youdidfall. And you hurt yourself.”
She sours. “Ladies and gentlemen, his powers of deduction are astounding!”
Ladies and gentlemen…?
Okay, that was a little rude.
I sigh and offer my hand. “Can I help you up?”
