AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Berniewas at the door, bursting with boundless energy and slobbery kisses, like he hadn't budged an inch sinceWyattleft hours before.Thankfully, there were no signs of his earlier stomachache.Wyattwouldn’t fall for those puppy dog ‘more treats, please’ eyes ever again.
Probably.
“Whowants to go for a walk?”Wyattasked, trying to maneuver around the bouncing dog to get to his leash.
HearingtheWword,Berniebegan going in excited circles, as if he had never seen the outdoors.
“Comeon, boy.”
Whenthey arrived at the trailhead,Wyattunhooked the leash.SpruceCreek'sloop trail was two miles of forest with a bustling creek running through it.Dogswere allowed off leash if they were well-behaved and responded to voice commands.Wyatttook ‘well-behaved’ with a grain of salt.Berniewas unlikely to pass that bar with flying colors, particularly if a squirrel peeked its head out of one of the many surrounding spruces.
WyattandBerniespent the next thirty minutes snaking their way through the forest,Berniesniffing the scents of wildlife that had come before him.AsWyatttook the final turn back toward the road, he spotted someone holding a hiking stick, heading his way from a merging trail.Hewas surprised to see it wasMr.Galindo.
“Lou,” he said, raising a hand in greeting, using the man’s preference for first names. “Hi.”
Theman sported navy blue shorts that hit just shy of his knobby knees and a wide brimmed hat.NoRockiesswag to be seen.Anold fashionedNikoncamera with zoom lens dangled from his neck.Abear bell was attached to the stick, tinkling as he walked.Helooked like any other seventy-something retiree out for a brisk walk in theColoradomountains.Onlyproblem was that he was hiking alone.
Oncethey were a few feet apart,LourecognizedWyatt, his gaze landing on his large furry companion. “Well, hello there.”
Louheld out a hand toBernie, who sniffed it. “Whois this fine fellow?”
“Thishere isBernie, theBerneseMountaindog.”
Louruffled the dog behind the ears, resulting in howls of ecstasy.
ToBernie,Wyattsaid, “Givea paw.”
Berniecomplied, makingLoulaugh heartily. “Goodjob,Bernie.”
Baskingin the attention,Berniebarked, causing a flock of birds to shoot up from the surrounding trees.
Wyattsaid, “Sorryabout that.”
“Noproblem.Lookslike we are heading the same way.MindifIjoin you?”
“Pleasedo.”Wyattconsidered his next words. “Mycousin is an emergency room nurse atSummitGeneral.Mostof her patients are accident victims of outdoor sports.Boats, bikes, and hiking.Someof the trails around here are less traveled than others.It’salways best to pair up with a buddy.It’sa safety thing.”Hesaid this, aware that his hiking buddy had four legs.
Lou’sface registered real concern, his eyes quickly shifting to their surroundings. “Whatabout bears?”
“Ifyou keep your food tightly wrapped and never get between a momma and her cubs, it’s unlikely a bear will start up with you.Themain things to prevent against are dehydration, overexertion, and heart attacks.”
“Isthat your way of sayingI’man old coot?”
Wyattblanched, quickly recovering whenLoubegan to laugh. “Awwcome on,Iam old.Betterthan the alternative, right?”
“Nodoubt,”Wyattsaid, relieved not to have offended the tycoon.
Louturned serious. “Iagree with your words of caution.Unfortunately,Idon’t have someone special to hike with on a regular basis.”
Itwasn’t lost onWyattthat a man with all the money in the world was still lonely. “Whynot join a hiking club?Thereare lots of them around here, many for. . . retirees.”
“Nota bad idea.I’lllook into it.”
Theywere nearing the end of the trail. “Happyfourth,”Lousaid, seeming melancholic, as he turned toward theRangeRoverin the parking lot.Heclicked open his car door.
“Whydon’t you join my family for a barbecue tonight?”Wyattblurted out, wishing he could take it back the instant the words escaped his lips.Whywould a billionaire twice his age want to hang out with his noisy family?
Loubrightened. “Whata kind offer.I’dlove to.”
