Harper got up a few times and shifted position, snapping pics of the lake. A whisky jack squawked nearby, and she found it and adjusted her lens, stealthily moving and getting the bird from a few different angles before it flew away. She leaned against a tree for a moment, and he saw her brow wrinkle before it cleared. She lifted her camera and focused on the shore of the lake.
He couldn’t see what she was taking pictures of, so he got up and moved as quietly as possible to within a few feet of her. What he saw made him catch his breath.
A solitary grizzly was at the water’s edge, lumbering along the shoreline. He could see the varied shades of brown in its coat, feet damp from the water, the signature hump on its back, just behind the neck. “Wow,” he said, and heard rapid shutter clicking as the bear obligingly turned its head to look over its shoulder and right at them...even though they were well over a hundred meters away, looking down.
She kept shooting as long as the bear was in view, but once it disappeared into the tall grass and trees again, she lowered the camera.
Her eyes shone at him, hitting him square in the gut. So blue, a luminescent shade that reminded him of the aquamarine earrings his mother wore. Her excited energy filled the air around him, making him far more aware of her than he was comfortable with.
“Did you see that? He turned around and looked right at the camera. I got some amazing shots! I can’t wait to get back and look at them.”
“It was incredible. You’re incredible.”
The words were out before he could think better of them. Her cheeks flared as she blushed and her lips dropped open a little. He found himself staring at them, wondering how they’d taste. Thankfully, the moment passed and he distracted himself by slipping the pack off his back and reaching for the water bottle. “You should have a drink before we head back. I’m assuming that we’re not going farther, considering that there are bears in the area.”
With perfect timing, they heard an approaching group courtesy of the “bear bells” they carried, the tinkling echoing thinly through the trees.
“Thanks,” she said, taking the bottle from his hand. She kept her eyes from meeting his as she took the bottle, but she took a healthy drink and recapped it. “There’s another bottle in there if you want some.”
“I’m fine.” He was still unsettled by the moment they’d shared. Sure, he’d been attracted to her at the wedding. But now...she was off-limits. Besides, Harper was the most dangerous kind of woman—one who could sneak past his defenses. She was extraordinary in a most understated, natural way, and if he wasn’t careful he’d end up taking a wrong step.
They were quieter on the walk back, a new tension between them that hadn’t been there before. Perhaps this hadn’t been the greatest idea, even if he had enjoyed the few hours and watching her in action.
Tourists clogged the trail now, too, chatting and snapping pictures while posing in front of trees or the bridge, with the view up the canyon. The sheep from earlier was nowhere to be found, but they discovered several more on their way back to the parking lot, just as Harper had warned. As fun as it all seemed, Drew was glad that they’d gone as early as they had and avoided all the crowds.
She laughed as they neared her car, and he guessed it was because of the look on his face. “You were right,” he said, giving a small smile. “This place gets crazy, doesn’t it?”
She nodded as she took the camera from around her neck and popped the tailgate. “This place and Johnston Canyon are really popular, but at least here the trail’s a little wider. I really was planning a shorter outing today because I have a bunch of editing to do the rest of the day. But later, maybe early next week, I’m going to head up to Healy Pass and make a whole day of it. It’s about sixteen kilometers or so round-trip.”
But she didn’t invite him along, and he didn’t ask. First of all, he probably wouldn’t be here next week. And second, it wouldn’t do to spend too much time with her. Before he knew it he’d lose his perspective and start something he had no right to start. It was better if they went their separate ways.
He got in the car and put on his seat belt. Instead of going back the way they came, Harper drove around the other side of the “loop,” coming out by the pond and picnic area where a few cars of tourists stopped and took pictures of the elk wandering nearby.
“It wouldn’t be Banff without elk being everywhere,” Harper said, smiling a bit. “You never know where they’re going to pop up, either in town or in the fields or roadsides.”
“It’s like they’re part of the scenery,” Drew said. “Tell me, do you like tourist season? The town seems awfully crowded.”
“It’s a resort town, so that’s what’s expected. But you know, there are places around town that aren’t part of the bus tour stops and day trips. There are a few places that are more popular with townies than tourists. And honestly, I mingle with some of the other business owners near the studio. I have my assistant, Juny, who’s young and energetic and fun. I have Adele, and now Dan. So no, I don’t mind tourist season. It’s what keeps me in business, and the studio and shop do better business in the summer.” She turned back onto the highway and looked over at him. “Pictures like today? This canyon is a recognizable landmark. If any are worth blowing up, I’ll showcase them and sell them to tourists who want to take home a little reminder of where they were.”
“And the other shots?”
She grinned. “If any of those bear shots are worthy, I’ll mat and frame a couple.”
“Like your mama and cubs.”
“Which still hasn’t sold, but it’s good enough I’m not going to give it away.”
Good, he thought. As a businessman, he often saw people charging too little for their goods rather than commanding a price that was proportionate with the quality.
She dropped him back off at the Cascade, pulling up beneath the overhang at the lobby doors. “What’s on the agenda for the rest of your day?” she asked.
“Heading into town to look into a few businesses.” He deliberately kept his wording vague. Other than Dan, no one knew he was looking at a major acquisition, and that was how he wanted it. “I’m going to spend a few days doing that, actually. Maybe there won’t be room for another outfitter here, you know?”
“And then?”
He shrugged, his hand on the door handle. “I don’t know. There are lots of places in British Columbia I can consider. And northern Alberta...lots of good fishing up there.”
He couldn’t read her expression, but she didn’t look overly impressed. “What’s wrong?”