AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, I’m not doubting you could take me down.” He would actually like to see her do it. “You just lumped me in with the men who bother you?”
Her lips pursed, and all teasing disappeared. She looked him over and then said quietly, “You don’t bother me. Not like … that.”
“Thank you.” Their gazes held, and he was grateful that he didn’t bother her like some stalker. “And I’d really like to have you take me down.”
“Right here and now?”
His chest felt warm. “Sure.”
She laughed and shook her head. “We’d better wait and use the wrestling mats at the gym. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
He laughed with her. “Good plan.”
She looked out the window and said brightly, “You definitely had inside help on this one. I love this hike.”
He jumped out and hurried around to get her door. Lifting her down, he said, “No inside help. I’m just that inspired.”
“Oh, boy.” She stared up at him, her pulse beating quickly in her smooth neck. “It’s one thing being overconfident in your hotness, Sheriff Peterson, but lying about inspiration might get you a lightning bolt from heaven.”
He grinned. “Good point. Your mom’s my angelic informant.”
“Thank you for admitting to it.”
She eased around him and started toward the trailhead. Reed opened his rear door and grabbed the backpack with lunch and water bottles in it, strapping it on, locking his truck, and pocketing his keys. He lifted a hand to Carl in his Durango and got a salute in return.
Hurrying after Esther, he had to sustain a fast stride to keep up. He worked out every day, but she was in some kind of shape. He was out of breath from the quick pace and from the opportunity to be all alone with Esther Delta. Could he break through her barriers on date number two? He said a very sincere prayer for heavenly help from his dad to somehow win this woman’s heart and a plea for forgiveness for being flippant about heavenly intel.
They strode up the trail, him trying to regulate his breathing so she wouldn’t know how heavily he wanted to pant for air and her looking perfect and like some fitness model as she kept up the brutal pace.
After over an hour, she finally stopped and turned to him, flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder. “Is my pace okay?”
He choked on a laugh. “You’re killing me, beautiful Esther.”
She grinned at that. “Oh, good, honey. I didn’t want to make it easy on you.”
He eased in closer, and her eyes widened. “Nothing incredible ever comes from the easy path.”
“Who said that?”
“My dad.”
Her eyes grew sober. “I’m sorry you lost him.”
“Me too.”
They were quiet for a moment and then she asked, “Do you have any water in that backpack? I should’ve brought my own.”
“Of course I have water. And this is my date; I’m supposed to take care of you. When you ask me out, I’ll let you plan and provide everything.” He winked at her.
Esther laughed. “I wouldn’t hold your breath for that, sweetheart.”
“Excuse me?” He pulled out two water bottles, handed her one, and took a long swallow of the other one. He hoped he didn’t stink like sweat. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, but their valley never got too hot and with the shady trail it was probably only seventy-five.
She gave him a challenging look. “I’ve never asked a man on a date. What makes you think I’ll ask you out?”
“Because I’m something special.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “You’re something, darling. That’s for sure.”
