I don’t look at him, because I’m blushing. I like to be prepared for everything. I’ve done it all my life. I like to know that if something happens, I will be able to deal with.
“I was joking, Ellie. I like that you’re ahead of the game.” He touches my shoulder, and I give him a small smile.
“Are you ready?” I try to push my embarrassment away and think about the day ahead. He nods, and we head out. I follow Hudson to his truck and notice that the back of his hoodie has the number fourteen on it with his last name: KING on the top. He must be part of a company baseball team or something like that.
He opens the door for me, and I climb into his truck. When he jumps in on his side, he asks where he is going, and I point to the left. He asks me about work, and I go into detail on how the Portland contract is taking over my life. Our company will not only be supplying to several doctors, but I’m working on adding a couple clinics too.
“Wow, sounds like you’re going to be there more often than you thought.”
“Yep. My boss told me I would be too. It’s fine, though. It’s not that long of a drive.”
I listen to the music that is faintly playing, as I direct him to the trail at the end of town. It doesn’t take long to get there, because the town isn’t that big. Hudson parks the truck, and we head up the trail. Not that I would tell him, but the pepper spray is in my front pocket. I don’t think that Hudson will harm me, but just to be safe.
“Okay, are we running or hiking?” I turn to look at him just as we reach the beginning of the trail.
“You run this?”
I look down the trail. It’s narrow and rocky in some parts, but overall it’s easy.
“Sure, why not? Are you not a runner?”
“No, I mean, I run, but in a different fashion.”
I look at him confused. “What?”
“Nothing, never mind. How many miles do you run?”
I shrug. “Maybe ten or twelve miles.”
By the look on his face, I don’t think he could run that long.
“How about we just walk for a few miles? You know, just enjoy nature,” I finally suggest.
“Yes, let’s do that.” He grabs my hand, and we begin to walk the trail.
We don’t say anything. I’m still in shock that he is holding my hand. They’re rough, and when he runs his thumb over my knuckles, it sends a tingle through me.
“Hudson,” I clear my throat. “Is there a reason you didn’t want to run the trail? I mean you seem pretty fit.”
“Well, I worked out with a couple of buddies last night and overdid it a little. Besides that, I can’t enjoy your company if you’re running laps around me.” He winks, and my heart skips a beat.
“Why didn’t you say anything? We could have done something else.”
“Nah, I like this, but just not running. Do you want me to carry the backpack?”
I adjust the strap and shake my head. “No, I like the weight.”
We walk further up the trail, in silence. I love the sounds of nature, especially in the spring. The squirrels are hopping from limb to limb. The birds are chirping loudly. It’s so peaceful.
Hudson is still holding my hand, but I realize that he’s limping a bit. I don’t want him to be in pain because of me.
“Hey, want to take a break and have a little lunch?”
“You have lunch in there.”
“Sort of,” I say. I let go of his hand and shrug off the pack. I pull out a blanket that I had packed and unroll it on the ground. I sit down, grab two bottles of water, and a couple of the granola bars. I notice that Hudson is still standing.
“What?”