Wash

“Amazing,” I said, gawking at the surreal landscape around me, like something out of a dream. I was absolutely wowed by the splendor and all the natural beauty. It was the most stunning, breathtaking vista I’d ever seen.

We stopped at a creek and refilled our canteens, then sat at the picnic area, where our tour guide passed out bagged lunches. The sandwiches were pretty good, and I mowed through the chips.

I walked over to Earl. “Hey, fella. You hungry?”

The animal snorted and actually wagged his tail as he ate the juicy apple from my hand.

“Whoa! That was the ride of a lifetime,” Jake said, approaching from behind.

“It was awesome. Really got the adrenaline pumping.”

His blue eyes locked on me, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. Just for a second, it felt like he was looking into me rather than at me.

“The way the sun shines on your hair and in your eyes is just…magical,” he said.

My heart pounded in my chest. “Thanks for the compliment,” I said, almost in a whisper. I bit my lip hard in annoyance. I couldn’t believe I’d allowed myself to get caught up in those pretty blue eyes of his. When I finally forced myself to pull away, he shot me that movie-star gleaming smile. I couldn’t snap any coherent thoughts together in the glint of his pearly whites. Being there with him on a dream vacation in such a magical place was wreaking havoc on my resolve to hate him, driving me crazy, inside and out. I inhaled sharply. Part of me found myself attracted to him, but the other part still detested the despicable jerk who’d caused me so much pain. When a smile curved up on his irresistible lips, I took a deep, steadying breath as I tried to clear my head. “I need some time to be alone and think and reflect on all this beauty,” I said.

“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

I almost noticed a subtle hint in his words, but in the end, my fury won, and I stormed off to explore the creek bank. I stared at the time-eroded walls and thought about my life, my past, and my future, whatever that would be.

Chapter 8

After a nice rest, we remounted and headed back to the bottom. When we finally arrived at our destination, I saw stone cabins, four dormitory buildings, and a central dining area. Everything was so scenic, with all the cottonwoods, the fantastic Bright Angel Creek, and the vivid rock formations.

We walked into our rustic cabin, and Jake smiled, motioning to two sets of bunk beds. “Wow. I actually won’t have to sleep on the floor.”

I set my stuff on the bottom bunk. The mattress wasn’t the softest, but it would get the job done. The place was cozy, with minimal amenities and furnishings, limited to a nightstand, alarm clock, a small table, a toilet, and cold running water. I was dying for my laptop, but I hadn’t brought it with me because I was told there’d be no service.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” Jake said.

I playfully slugged him. “Then let’s go get some chow.”

Dinner was served family style: delicious steak, baked potatoes, salad, bread, peas, corn, and moist chocolate cake. It was so nice after the long ride down to the bottom.

Jake took his last bite of cake and wiped his mouth. “You know what I was hoping to see?”

I cocked my brow. “What?”

“Bighorn sheep.”

“Hmm. They didn’t even make a cameo appearance, did they?”

“Nope,” he said. “It’s really too baaaaad, don’t ewe think?” he said, then laughed at his own jokes.

“Not punny,” I retorted. “Maybe wool see some when we head back up to the rim,” I said.

He laughed. “I sure hope so.”

“The food’s really good here.”

“Delicious,” Jake said.

“This is definitely one of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve ever had. It isn’t exactly the Hilton, but it’s warm and down to earth. Reminds me of something out of a cowboy movie.”

“Want a beer?” he casually asked. “Unless you’re a wine gal now.”

“Trying to loosen me up with liquor?” I joked.