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“They are, but as you know, they won’t bloom until the summer.”
She sighed. “Everything is so glorious in the summer.”
“It’s my favorite time of year.”
She continued climbing the gentle slope to the top. “How many people need your help in any given week?” she asked.
“Depends on the weather and on how many are hiking. Not only am I here to offer aid to the hikers and climbers, my job requires me to monitor the wildlife too. When I have the time, I do community outreach programs to educate people on hiking safety.”
“That sounds like what our fire chief does—the community educational part that is.”
Zach stepped up next to her. “Here’s the cut off to one of my favorite views.”
They walked across the top of the mountain for a hundred feet before emerging from the tree line. Cassidy stopped. “Oh, my. This is breathtaking.”
Zach was always amazed by the beauty of the mountains and the many colors they presented, regardless of the season. “Let’s sit down and eat lunch.”
“When did you make us something to eat?”
“I texted Agatha this morning and asked if she could fix us my favorite cucumber and hummus on pita bread sandwich.”
“She is a dream come true. You should be happy you were shot or you never would have hired her.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” Zach had a small ground cloth that he spread on the rock face.
Once they sat, Cassidy stared at the view. “What are we going to do about Mike?”
He was wondering when she’d bring that up. “What do you think we should do?” The solution depended on whether she was willing to be with him and Mike together.
CHAPTERTWELVE
“We hurt Mike’s feelings,” Cassidy said. “I never intended to do that.”
“Me neither, but clearly he feels betrayed. It was two in the morning when you approached me. Did he think I should have called him and asked for his permission to be with you?”
Cassidy reached out and clasped his hand. “No. To be honest, I was happy there was only one of you—for now.”
“That’s what I thought. I just hope Mike comes to his senses.”
“You said he’ll be staying with me tonight?”
He pictured the two of them alternating nights, but that would not be conducive to having any kind of relationship. “That was the original plan, but what do you think about staying at my place? I have a pullout sofa that I can sleep on. We’ll figure things out from there.” He squeezed her hand. “I don’t want you to feel any guilt about being with one of us and not the other, though at some point, we’d like to show you how amazing it can be with both of us.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
Zach had to force himself not to shout out his joy to the world, in part because he believed the woods should be a place of contemplative silence—or near silence. The other part of him didn't want to look like he lacked control.
Two hawks flew up from below, zigzagging past them before flying off, bringing him some needed calm. The mountain range across from them was mostly covered in snow, and the brilliant blue sky backdrop made it worthy of a picture.
He turned to her. “How about a selfie with the mountains in the background?”
“I’d love that, but let’s not show it to Mike right away.”
She was smart. “You got it.”
Zach pulled out his phone, located his camera app, and moved them around so that the rugged mountains were in the background. He snapped a picture of them smiling, and then leaned over and kissed her for the second shot.Mistake. The urge to take her nearly toppled him. Of course, he wouldn’t, considering this was the dead of winter.
Cassidy moaned and then crawled onto his lap while not breaking the kiss. Could she be any sweeter or sexier? Zach wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
