Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
They’re both daunting destinies.
But together?
I think we got a damn good chance of making it through.
NINE
serena
It’s been months since I froze like a deer in headlights when I first saw him step out of that cattle truck.
And those months have been some of the most spectacular I could have ever imagined.
I attach the harness to Reuben as Tristian waits for me at the house’s front door. He’s dressed in jeans as usual, but now he has a pair of proper hiking boots.
Tristian has been doing well in becoming a typical Evergreen Valley citizen. He’s looking and dressing the part and has begun the process of building his own home, having finalized the purchase of a plot of land.
Turns out being a bouncer for the mob is a really well-paying job. And Tristian has never been one to spend a lot of money. So he saved a whole lot, and he’s been using that little stash of cash to establish himself beyond that tiny apartment he calls home.
He’s been working with my brother and his friend to set up something of his own. They’re thinking of growing an orchard of some sort, but Tristian has to do a whole lot more homework about it to figure out what he truly wants to do.
Speaking of homework, I’ve finally started the college courses I need. I’ve decided to take a more gradual approach, splitting my studies between online and attending classes. Veterinary medicine is a study that does need some physical presence since some of it is a skill that needs proper execution and procedure, but a lot of the more academic stuff can be done virtually.
I’ll do whatever it takes, but I love my family and I love Tristian dearly. It can be awfully troublesome balancing both, but I’m dedicated to making it all work.
The harness is properly secured on Reuben, and I take the leash in hand. “Are you ready to roll out?” I ask my boyfriend.
“I definitely am. Actually, I think I’m going to take the lead for this hike.”
I cock an eyebrow. “You sure about that, big boy?”
As the native of the town, I’d been leading all our hikes. I’d shown him everything I knew about the town, and even had grilled one of Lavender’s friends, Tabitha, on places to take him. If he was going to become a good and proper mountain man, I reckoned he needed to know every inch of this place like the back of his hand.
“I’m as sure as I am that you’re the most gorgeous girl on the planet.”
I giggle. “So if we get horribly lost, I’m going to retroactively take that as an insult, then.”
“That’s fine, because we’re not going to get lost.”
With our hiking pack over his shoulder, and our guard dog at the ready, we head out into the woods.
It’s interesting watching him go as he gains more confidence in his hiking. Not like he was ever scared of doing so or anything. I don’t think Tristian is a man you can scare off easily. More the swiftness of his stride, how he doesn’t need to watch his feet anymore. This is as natural to him as breathing.
It doesn’t take me long to realize which path he’s taking us along. It’s the same path as our first time out here together.
Which was the first time for a lot of things.
He traces the steps perfectly. We’d been down this track a few times in the intervening months, but it’s always special to us, and always seemed to end in the same way, which is in no way a complaint.
We reach the top of the hill, back to the plateau that overlooks Evergreen Valley. A sight which I have seen countless times, and know I’ll never grow tired of.
“Before I saw this view, my life was already in the process of changing,” Tristian says. He holds my hips as we take in the vast scenery. “I had come to this town, and it was completely unlike the only place I’ve ever known. I was getting used to hard work out in the sun, small towns, and the complete lack of Indian restaurants.”
I roll my eyes at his constant complaining. Reuben did his dog yawn before finding his favorite patch of grass to have his mid-hike nap.
“When I met you, though, I knew that it had changed for good. There’s no going back to my lonely, struggling self when I laid eyes on you, and then you opened my eyes to everything even more. The beauty of all the forests, the sweetness of family, and... well, much more lustful and carnal things that will only be between us.”
“I’m an adult; you can say it, you know.”
“I’m going somewhere with this. And besides, you know how I am. I rather show you such things than tell you.”