“Because I’m the weaker sex?”
“Because you’re the fairer sex. Nothing weak about you.”
She chuckled. “Okay, I don’t think you’re a chauvinist. But, I can afford to buy my own pizza, and there’s no reason for you to pay.” Her face took on a determined look to which he was growing accustomed.
“You know, that pride of yours is going to get you in trouble someday.”
Chapter Three
Spencer paced and fumed, his face creased with worry. He really wanted this hike to go well, especially since Emily had been so hesitant. But the rest of the hiking club had decided to tackle a more strenuous hike that would take over seven hours. Emily might flat-out refuse to go, or she might insist on going because of her pride. Either way, it wouldn’t be a good first hike experience. Plus, the Gherrings were going. Steven Gherring was in amazing shape, since he was constantly training for Iron Man competitions. Emily’s mother seemed fairly fit as well, but she’d recently visited the emergency room for her ulcer. A seven-hour hike seemed like a bad idea for someone who’d been in the hospital earlier in the week.
He planned to suggest an alternate hike, but that meant it would only be the four of them. Emily seemed diametrically opposed to anything resembling a date. Would she think he was trying to trick her into going on a hike without a big group of friends? He’d considered asking one of his sisters to come along to make Emily feel more comfortable, but he didn’t want his sisters to meet Emily. They would pick up on his feelings for her and tease him mercilessly, and with good reason. He’d done the same to them numerous times.
He walked into the lobby of the apartment building to find Steven Gherring waiting alone. “The girls aren’t coming?”
“Oh, they’re coming. Anne’s in Emily’s apartment, trying to talk her into leaving some of her supplies at home.”
“Supplies?”
“Yes, her backpack weighed about fifty pounds. She researched all the things that can happen on a hike, and she stocked enough supplies to last all four of us if we were stranded for a week.”
“Why would she do that? I told her I’d have all the supplies we needed in my backpack. She only needed to bring water.”
“So you are now learning the Best women are stubborn and like to think of themselves as self-sufficient.” Gherring grinned. “Especially Emily. I don’t think I’ve seen her accept a single thing from me without a fight. Not since she moved to New York on a mission to prove herself.”
“I’m glad to hear it—I thought it was only me. Hey, I need you to help me figure out a little problem with the hike.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, the club decided to change to a seven-hour strenuous hike. So I think the four of us should go on a shorter hike. Do you think Emily would be okay with that?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
“She doesn’t want to do anything that looks like a date. I’m afraid she’ll think I’m trying to trick her or something since I told her there was a big group of friends going.”
“Well, I’m no expert on relationships—it took me fifty years to finally get married—but I think Emily likes to be in control. Why don’t we let her make the decision? Just leave it to me.” He spotted Anne and Emily emerging from the elevator.
Emily’s brows sunk low over her eyes. “I still think I should’ve brought the canned ham.”
The face Anne turned to her husband showed desperation. “Steven, would you please give your expert opinion on supplies here.”
“Well, first we’ve got to make an important decision about the hike. The hiking club has changed their destination. They’re headed for a strenuous seven-hour hike. So we could join them as planned, or pick another hike that’s shorter and more moderate.”
Emily brightened. “I’ve been researching all the hikes on the AT near here. I found one that sounded really good—Silvermine Lake Loop. It’s only rated moderate and it’s a four-mile circuit.” She pulled out her phone and quickly retrieved the route information.
“This looks good, Emily,” said Spencer. “I’ve always wanted to do this one.”
“This will be much better for Mom. She doesn’t need to go on a seven-hour hike.”
Anne rolled her eyes at Gherring, but he nodded. “I agree. I don’t want her to do anything so strenuous. So we’re all in agreement? And as for supplies, we won’t need so many since we’re doing this hike. We’ll never be more than an hour from the car, and there will be plenty of people on this trail if we have an unforeseen problem.”
“Let’s go.” Emily led the way out the door.
Spencer hung back. “Thanks, Mr. Gherring. You’re really good with women.”
“Sometimes I get lucky. I’ve screwed up plenty of times.”
“That’s the truth,” agreed Anne.