Page 15 of Close to Heaven

“Okay, then.”

They left the office together, and she waited while he locked the door. As they went up the hill toward the cabins, he questioned his common sense. How had he gone from wanting to fire her to inviting her to go hiking with him? On second thought, she’d invited herself. He assumed her decision had more to do with blowing off steam than wanting his company, and that was fine with him. If she didn’t talk too much or complain about the climb, it might actually be fun, and he could use a little more fun in his life.

They paused in front of her cabin. “I assume you’ll want to change,” he said, eyeing her current outfit. He tried not to look too closely since her blouse dipped just enough in the front to show an enticing peek of cleavage. She didn’t dress provocatively, but her clothes didn’t disguise her shapely figure.

“Right. I’d probably twist an ankle in these boots,” she teased. “Where should we meet after I change?”

“You could come up to my place,” he said and immediately regretted it. It almost sounded like a pick-up line, so he quickly added, “There’s a trail behind my house that leads into the mountains. Just look for the cabin named Close to Heaven.”

“Nice name. Did you choose it?”

He nodded.

“Okay, then. I’ll see you soon.”

He turned away, but as he heard her heels clicking up the porch steps, he turned back around. “Don’t forget to bring a water bottle.”

She laughed. “I grew up around here, remember? I know what to take on a hike.”

“Right,” he said, feeling embarrassed. Many of the visitors to the resort were city people who escaped to the mountains for rest and relaxation rather than strenuous hikes. He’d forgotten that Avery wasn’t one of them. Still, it would be interesting to see if she could keep up with him and Smoky. Regardless, he was smiling like a fool as he walked away.