Jack swept his left arm to encompass their surroundings. “This is Trinity Falls.”
The horseshoe-shaped clearing was twice the size of a football field. She and Jack stood at its base. Before her was a carpet of deep green grass framed by stately poplar and white ash trees.
At the center of the clearing was the source of the rushing wind she’d heard: a waterfall. Audra walked closer to its edge, which was framed by a sturdy metal safety fence. She felt its power as the water poured into the stream below, pushing gusts of wind and mists of water up and over her.
Jack smiled at Audra’s reaction. Her eyes were wide. Her lips parted. She looked transfixed. She looks like she belongs, a woodland fairy queen exploring her kingdom. He’d been right to bring her here. He hadn’t enjoyed this scenery with anyone since Zoey had become ill, nearly four years ago at the age of six. Before then, she’d made the trip with him frequently. He’d never come to the clearing with Kerry. She wasn’t fond of nature.
Jack set the cooler beside a nearby tree and approached Audra. She stepped back from the edge and stretched her arms wide. She spun to him. Her face, arms, and T-shirt were damp from the waterfall’s mist. Her cloud of curly dark hair played in the breeze. Her warm caramel features glowed with pleasure. Her bright grin lifted her lips and his heart. “This place is remarkable. It’s just like a fairy tale.”
“I’m glad you approve.” Jack’s laughter came more easily now. Those muscles had warmed since Audra’s arrival.
The waterfall fed a skipping stream that was born at its feet. The water danced over rocks and continued far into the distance. Jack fell into step beside Audra as she explored the clearing’s perimeter, following its tree line. She exclaimed at the red-shouldered hawks and merlins, soaring above the water and dancing on the wind. She laughed at the squirrels racing each other up and over tree trunks. Watching her pleasure in this special place made Jack see it in a new way, too. It did seem enchanted, almost magical.
She turned to lead them back the way they’d come. “I feel like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ next-door neighbor.”
“Or Cinderella. Her pets helped with the chores.”
Audra’s winged eyebrows leaped toward her hairline. “You do know your fairy tales.” Her champagne eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Are these woods part of the rental cabins’ property?”
“No, it’s part of the county’s park system. But not many people come here.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? I’d come here every day.”
He believed her. The mental image of the two of them spending long, lazy hours together in the clearing melted another chunk of ice from his heart.
Jack led Audra back to the cooler. Together they spread the blue-and-white plaid picnic blanket under the tree. It was the same blanket he’d taken when they’d gone fishing. They removed their shoes, then sat cross-legged on the blanket to share the lemonade and fresh fruit he’d packed for their afternoon snack.
Audra popped a seedless black grape into her mouth as she looked over their surroundings. “You must be so proud of your ancestors for establishing this town.”
“I am.” Jack bit into an apple.
“Now Trinity Falls is one hundred and fifty years old.” She gave him a curious look. “How have you managed to remain humble? I’d run up and down the streets every morning, screaming, ‘I’m king of the world!’”
He smiled at her imitation of Leonardo DiCaprio’s famous line from Titanic.
“My parents made sure I was well-grounded.” He sipped from his thermos of lemonade. “I had chores and a part-time job. But most importantly, my parents taught me to give back to the community.”
“Your parents sound incredible.”
“They were incredible.” They were his heroes. He’d assumed he and Kerry would have a family just like the one he’d known. But everything had gone wrong.
“I bet you were the most popular boy in high school.” Audra’s voice pulled him from the past. “You’re from a prominent family. I bet you were a star athlete. All the girls in your school probably chased after you.”
Jack set down his thermos. “What about you? Did all the guys ask for your phone number?”
She gave him a self-deprecating smile. “I was a nerd. Prom night, I was home re-reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Jack winced. “Really?”
“Really. What about you?”
“I had a date.”
“Of course you did.”
They were tucked into the trees, all alone. The sounds of the waterfall underscored their isolation. Jack felt himself pulled in Audra’s direction.
“What was wrong with the boys in your high school?” His voice was huskier than he’d intended. “Were they blind or just stupid?”