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“My son just needs to do what makes him happy.” She nods, and we find our spots on the dock.
By the end of the morning, my father winks, shooting me a knowing smile. One of which I know is a ‘that’s the girl for you’kind of look.
I blink back to reality as the breeze ends my trance. Losing him last year after his second heart attack still irks me. I tried to change his eating habits, but he was set in his ways and missing my mother. Standing, my hand brushes over the gravestone with a sigh. Beechwood Falls isn’t the same without my parents.
Chapter6
Emery
“Your phone is goingoff like someone is in crisis mode.” Hallie laughs, though I can tell she’s slightly annoyed I brought my phone to The Falls.
“A semi crisis, yes.” I cringe as we carry on the hiking path to the infamous falls we’ve been to countless times. “I didn’t realize there was cell service out here now.”
“The joys of tourism and the town expanding. I don’t mind the tourists. This town could use a little more life.” She tilts her head toward my phone as it goes off again. “Who else is up this early?” We woke at the break of dawn to beat the tourist rush.
“It’s Josie, my friend back in Aspen. She’s currently traipsing through Europe, trying to mend her broken heart.”
“Ugh, poor thing!” Her voice aches, as if it feels my friend's pain. “Do you think she will be okay?”
“Things should work themselves out between her and her man. I have a feeling.” Though I’m not striving for a relationship or a long-term guy, Josie deserves the happy ending.
“I love that you have faith in them.” Hallie nudges me with a show-stopping smile.
“What can I say? They’refated.” I roll my eyes and quicken my pace. If Hallie and I are a little breathless, there will be less talking.
“Kind of how I know you’ll get a happy ending too.” She knows I don’t care to put myself out there after Ryan.
“Hallie, I’m happiest not having to deal with the risk of heartbreak.” My chest tightens, thinking back on witnessing Ryan cheating. “I fell even more in love with cooking again after we spilt.” I only need to be good enough for myself.
“When you find your person, thereisn’tany more heartbreak.” She smiles, resting her hand on my shoulder. “I know you’re still healing, but don’t write off love forever.”
“I’ll think about it,” I clip, upping my pace a bit more as we hit a small inclination.
“What made you choose Aspen anyway?” Thankfully, Hallie switches topics, but it’s to one I also try to avoid.
“The hiking views. The Falls here are gorgeous, but being on the mountaintops just hits differently.” Aspen has this way of making you feel so small in an already small town. Pausing, I acknowledge the other reason. “Honestly, my parents used to talk about how much they loved it. It was one of the only places they took me as a little kid too.”My throat grows thick, and I hate myself for letting these memories have such a hold on me.
“There it is,” Hallie confirms, and slows down her pace. We continue walking, swatting the few mosquitoes who seem to be immune to bug spray.
“No one in Aspen brings up my past because they don’t know it.” Some people in this town didn’t know how to act after I lost my parents. We’d meet at the grocery store or downtown, and I'd get a sympathetic blank stare or a “How are you? Must be tough.”Why couldn’t they focus on the positive topics? Like my graduation? The fun things I was doing that summer.
“Understandable. Have you thought about what to say to your parents’ friends at the upcoming hospital event?”I feel my legs move faster.
“Can we walk quicker? These mosquitoes are crazy this morning.” I also don’t want to talk about the hospital thing. “I’m used to a morning workout.”
“I’m getting a test run of my wedding hair and makeup done after.” Hallie shakes her head. “I don’t want to be breathless or sweaty.” I bite my lip and nod. “Go ahead. We aren’t too far from the falls. Burn off your steam, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Hallie––”
“Seriously, Em. It’s fine. I could use a moment to clear my head in silence too.” She smiles, waving her hand to scoot me off.
“We’ll walk back down together.” I blow her a kiss and jog along the path.
Veering right, I take the trail leading to the top of the falls to save my little legs from having to climb the bigger boulders up to the top. There are things I have missed about South Carolina, the warm weather being one of them. I do prefer the warmth, but if I never felt the humidity again, I wouldn’t be upset. I know I’m reaching the end of the trail as the sound of pressure from the water rushes to the bottom of the swimming hole. I smile, embracing the serenity of the lush trees and birds chirping around me. With a deep breath, I take in the scenery around me. These are the moments I appreciate in life. Looking down at the clear water below, I enjoy the quietness of waking up early. Soon it’ll will be full of people swimming as the day progresses.
Staring over the rapid flow of water, I notice someone walking out from behind the falls. My heart picks up tempo as Ian makes his way closer, shirtless, with the peak of sun adding glistening accents to his toned body. His abs flex as he runs his hands through his hair, making this look like something straight out of a commercial or sports photoshoot. His smile grows, and that’s when I realize I’ve been standing at the top of the falls like an idiot, staring at him. Shit. His ego doesn’t need to see me gawking, but it’s too late. With a few effortless long strides up the rocks, he’s in my space.
“Good morning, Daisy Girl.” His voice is calm as usual, but I don’t have the time or energy to give him.
