Eli pointed to one of the platforms. “And what? Chipped the paint just for us too, to make it seem more authentic? We’re at a lodge in Montana. They have a high ropes course for guests, just like I’m sure they have countless other outdoor activities.”
I glared at him. “Why are you being so sensible when I’m trying to panic?”
Eli grinned and winked at me. “Is that your way of saying we make a great team?”
While I still wasn’t in love with our current predicament, Eli had provided me with enough encouragement to move forward. The next portion of the course contained disc platforms that hung from a rope running above us. Each one moved violently when I stepped on it.
“You’ve got this, Calla. Don’t look down,” Eli instructed from right behind me.
My feet kept moving forward as my body was jerked around, grabbing onto each rope to steady myself. This part of the course was so physically demanding that I almost forgot that we were suspended in the air. When I reached the next platform, I spun around to offer Eli a high five.
“We did it!” I exclaimed.
His lip curled up and his dimple started to show as he held up his large hand to meet my gesture. I smacked it before turning to face what was next. This was actually kind of fun now that I wasn’t terrified for my life.
We breezed through the next portion—a rickety staircase—before arriving at some sort of rope balance beam. I studied it warily. The only thing we’d have to stand on as we navigated ourselves across a thirty-foot gap was a thin piece of rope.
I compared my foot’s width to what we’d be walking on.
“Nope. Forfeit,” I said, backing up a step.
“Calla.” Eli’s voice exuded patience. “You just crushed the last section. This one is no different.”
“Do you see what they expect us to step on?” I pointed to the rope. He must have lost his mind if he thought I’d be putting my life on that particular line.
“We’ll hardly have to balance since we’re connected from the top.” He pulled on my safety line to show me how secure I was. “Even if you waver, you’ll just stumble slightly, given how taut this is. You won’t fall. I won’t let you.”
I stood there, arms crossed, and stared at him.
Eli rubbed the back of his neck. There wasn’t much of a rush to finish, honestly, since both Trace and Danny, and Sofia and Grant, had already failed to complete the course. Sofia had tapped out before the second obstacle, and Danny practically carried Trace through half the course before she finally gave up, giggling the whole time.
“I won’t let you fall, okay? Do you trust me?” Eli’s eyes searched mine.
Did I trust him? I hardly knew him. But I also felt confidence in what he said—that he wouldn’t let me fall.
I gave a halfhearted answer. “It’s about that thin rope, not you.”
“Come on. This is the last obstacle before the finish. I know you can do it,” he said. “Don’t take the easy way out.”
“Easy way out?” I wanted to laugh. “I’m already partnered with you, remember? The easy way out left the building as soon as that happened.”
“Let’s go, then.” Eli grasped my wrist lightly. “I’ve got you.”
With shaking hands, I turned to face the next leg of the course. I forced myself not to look down as I placed one foot on the thin lower rope and grabbed the top rope with both hands.
“That’s it, Calla. I’m right behind you.” I felt the whisper of one of his hands around my waist, not quite touching me but ready to stabilize me if necessary. I slowly moved forward, one foot sliding along the rope, followed by my front hand. Once I got going, it seemed easy enough. When I reached the other side, I placed one foot carefully on the platform before leaning my body forward and hopping onto it with my other foot. I looked back to see Eli stepping through the course with ease. He landed gracefully on the platform beside me.
“You did it. I knew you could.”
“Thank God it’s over.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“We still have to get down.” Eli pointed ahead to a zip line that would take us halfway across the field.
“Nope, I’m done.”
Eli’s lips parted slightly. “You can’t be done. This is the way down.”
I shook my head stubbornly. “I’m not doing that.”
