The entire hike, if you could even call it that, was flat terrain moving gradually uphill.However, it was like walking through a magical forest with its moss-covered tree limbs.Until the stairs appeared – yes, stairs in the middle of the forest – but they weren’t as steep nor as treacherous as I’d imagined.
I stole a glimpse at Tristan as he scaled the steps ahead of me, taking in his fine form as he effortlessly edged onward.
At the top of the stairs, I inhaled a strong breath of air, hoping he hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t in peak condition.After a few deep inhales and casual glances around to stall, we moved along the path steps in sync.
A thunderous roar teased my ears.
With a renewed burst of speed, I walked ahead under a cathedral of evergreens until the falls welcomed us, spray misting the air like breath.
“It’s beautiful.”I filled my lungs as if the fresh scent was a lifeline.
“It’s captivating,” he replied.
I swallowed the truth.
Tristan shifted closer and as our jackets brushed my pulse stumbled.
His hand lifted, slowly, like he was asking permission without words.One more inch and—
I stepped forward instead, pretending to adjust my view of the immense falls while simultaneously catching my breath.Pretending I wasn’t a coward.Again.
Out of the corner of my eye, his hand dropped unceremoniously.
“It’s lovely.I’m glad we stopped,” I forced out, voice too bright.And it was the truth.There were so many new places he’d shown me, and this ranked near the top.
“Me too,” he said.But it sounded like he meantsomething else entirely.
The moment flowed away with the water, but the ache lodged somewhere deeper, stubborn as stone.I wanted to say more, to talk about last night, but as much as the will propelled me to at least try, fear stood its ground and forced me to keep my thoughts to themselves.
Pathetic really.
I stayed there a moment longer than necessary, letting the roar of the falls fill the space where words should have gone, snapping pictures of the natural beauty, before we turned back toward the path, already rehearsing silence.
The car doors closed with a finality that felt heavier than it should have, the forest giving way once again to asphalt and distance.
Back on the road, Abbotsford came into view faster than I was ready for.
We parked beside a shop with a chalkboard sign proclaiming proudly:Locally Crafted Everything.Tristan dropped off two crates, exchanged a few easy words with the employee, and returned to the car.One of the quickest stops so far as I barely had time to think.
Slipping into the driver’s seat, his confidence faltered again.“So...I have one last stop to make in White Rock.”He paused and held his breath before running a hand through his hair.“From that stop, it’s two hours to the airport, or if you want, I can take you straight there and you could be home tonight.”
Home.
Kids.Work.Familiar safety.
The invisible wordorhung in the air.
I waited with heavy anticipation for option B.
He shifted his weight and locked his stormy blues onto my gaze.His words did not falter or weaken.“Or come with me to the Island.Stay at the winery tonight, have some fantastic wine and a good solid rest.Give your worries a brief vacation.I’ll drive you to the Victoria airport first thing tomorrow.”
The offer hung there like a held breath.
My original flight home was still booked.Rebooking would be extra, and a surprise for the kids when I arrived early.I wasn’t on ‘mom’ time right now; I was a grown lady in the company of a charming, trusted friend, someone I was exceptionally taken with.
However...
I looked down at my fingers twisting the hem of my shirt.Every sensible answer lined up neatly:
