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Once she’s steady on her feet, she removes the earbud from her ear and glares at me.
“You scared me,” she accuses.
“I’m sorry, but why are you scaling this wall of dirt?”
“I’m training.”
“For what?” I ask.
“For a big hike. I used to hike all the time, but I’m out of practice, and I’m determined to make it to the top of Buck Mountain.”
Buck Mountain?
“The peak of Buck is at an elevation of just over six thousand feet. I’m sure this little hill is a good start,” I tease.
Her eyes narrow.
“I have to start somewhere, and I’m trying to build my endurance. Trust me, going up and down this thing is a workout.”
“Whatever you say. Why are you so intent on climbing Buck anyway? That mountain is a beast for inexperienced hikers,” I ask.
“I’m looking for a waterfall I heard about, not attempting to climb Mount Everest,” she snaps.
“A waterfall, huh?”
“Yeah, Zemry says there is a breathtaking waterfall up there that plummets almost four hundred feet. I want to see it,” she says, excitedly.
“You could just drive to the top,” I suggest.
“Yeah, I’ve done that. I couldn’t find the waterfall. I’m pretty sure it’s on the other side, and there aren’t any roads that lead up there, only hiking trails,” she explains.
“You seem awfully determined. You do know there are several other drivable waterfalls to see around here, right?”
She shrugs. “I’ve seen them all, but I want to see that one,” she insists.
“It is stunning,” I utter.
Her eyes go wide. “You’ve seen it?”
I shrug.
“Weston! You know where it is,” she exclaims.
“Maybe.”
“Will you take me?” she asks.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. It’s a grueling hike.”
Her face lights up. “I don’t care how hard it is. Trust me, I can make it.”
“If I do take you, we’ll have to spend the night. How are you with sleeping outdoors?” I ask.
Her brow furrows. “Why would we have to do that?”
“It’s a tall mountain, and the waterfall is at the peak. It takes several hours to get to it, and it will wear you out. It’s best to set up camp and make your way back down the next morning instead of trying to navigate back down in the dark.”
She thinks about it for a second, and I can see the apprehension in her eyes.
