Page 11 of Maple Kissed by the Mountain Man

We hit the lower creek crossing in fifteen minutes flat.

“Well, shit,” I cursed.

“What’s wrong?” Then she looked around me. “Oh. That wasn’t like that yesterday.”

No, it hadn’t been. Today, the small creek was more like a tiny river.

“It must have rained higher in the mountain last night.” The stepping stones we’d used yesterday were completely submerged under probably four inches of water. A half-submerged pine branch was now bobbing along the opposite bank.

I looked upstream. There was another shallow crossing higher up, but navigating the boulder field would add twenty minutes to the hike and it was probably just as swollen. By the time we got there, the sun would be too high, washing out the crimson leaves. For some reason disappointing Maggie was not what I wanted to do.

Maggie followed my gaze. “What’s up there?”

“Maybe a dry way across.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

“We don’t have time. The light’s breaking now.”

She turned back to the rushing water, her chin setting into a stubborn line. “I can wade it.”

“No.”

“You haven’t seen me wade.”

“I saw you trip over an exposed pine root yesterday.”

She grinned at me. “That root was malicious and positioned with intent.”

“The rocks will be slick, and your shoes will get wet.”

“Are you worried about me, Burke? That’s so sweet.”

“The current will sweep those little boots right out from under you.”

“I need to get to those maples, Ford.” She placed her hands on her hips in the defiant gesture I had already memorized.

“And I said no.”

She didn’t talk back, which should have warned me. She just unslung her heavy camera bag and began unfastening her backpack.

I folded my arms over my chest, leaning back on my heels. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Protecting my gear.”

“From what?”

“The water.” She yanked her camera bag open, not looking up.

“Maggie.”

“I’m putting my camera in the dry-bag compartment in case I do fall.”

“No.”

“You already used that word.”

“I’m going to use it until it sinks into that stubborn head.”