Page 46

“These trees are amazing.” Barbi stops on the path, admiring the trees that line the trail.
Some have trunks as wide as a car. In the Sequoia National Forest, and further north, some of those trees have trunks the size of small houses.
She approaches one of the trees nearest the trail and places her hand on the rough bark. Deep grooves and ridges define the outer layer of the tree. She bends her head back, craning her neck, to stare at the dizzying heights above.
Rays of filtered sunlight shine through the branches and dense foliage, casting dappled light that dances across the forest floor.
We wander deeper into the heart of the forest, where the air grows cooler and damper from the dry summer air beyond the forest. Rushing water draws us eagerly down the well-trodden path until a burbling creek comes into view, meandering through the trees.
The occasional splash of a fish, or pine needles falling from above, intermingles with the background babbling of the crystal-clear waters.
“This place…” Barbi spins in a circle, holding her arms out wide. “It’s magical.” She stops and opens her eyes, looking everywhere at once. “I can’t believe I’ve lived here so long, lived this close to this amazing place, and never knew it existed.”
“I have a feeling I’ve made you a convert.”
“Of this?” She draws her hands, palms together, in front of her chest and gives a slight bow. “Namaste. I am most definitely a convert.”
The dappled sunlight dances on the surface of the water, glittering like a thousand jewels. We pause our hike to linger by the water, searching for frogs and salamanders, and other things.
“When I come here, I feel like I’ve stepped into another world, someplace untouched by the hustle and bustle of life. A place where people like me have no purpose.”
“What do you mean by that? What you do is incredible. You save so many lives.”
“My job exists only because of the monsters infesting this world. Get rid of the murderers, rapists, and thieves, and the world doesn’t need a man like me.”
“That sounds…” Her brows scrunch. “I’m not sure how it sounds. Sad and yet exquisitely beautiful at the same time. You’re an interesting man. Not at all what I expect.”
“I take it that’s a good thing?”
“It’s a very good thing. You’re a man with a beautiful soul.”
“You think God will think that when I show up at the pearly gates with my soul stained by the lives I’ve taken?”
“I think those will be more than balanced by the lives you’ve saved.” She comes to me, standing close, and cups the side of my face. “You’re a hero to so many. A necessary force of good, compelled to do difficult, but necessary, things.”
“And you’re absolutely stunning. I love the light in your eyes and the way you approach life without fear. You’re not at all what I expected when we first met.”
“Oh, I’m all of that. I won’t apologize for a quickie in a bar, but there are layers.”
“Layers I can’t wait to peel back, one by one.” I sweep a strand of hair off her face and stare deeply into her eyes. About to lean in to kiss her, the voices of hikers pull me away from Barbi.
We separate as a young family comes into view. A few years younger than me, and a couple older than Barbi, the man carries a toddler in one of those backpack carriers while the woman pushes a jogging stroller down the path with a tiny baby inside.
We step aside to give them room, exchanging smiles and friendly waves.
With our kiss aborted, we wait a few minutes, then continue on the trail. About a mile up, we come across a pair of campers setting up camp for the night beside the tiny stream. Like we did with the young family, we exchange greetings but leave them to their thing while we continue on.
I intend to take Barbi on the shorter hike, a two-mile looping trail, but she’s more capable than I thought and eager for more.
We stop for lunch, finding a spot off the trail. After we pack up, Barbi surprises me with a blowjob and quickie sex behind one of the massive trees; out of sight of anyone who might wander down the trail.
I put Barbi on her knees, grip her hips, and take her hard from behind. Then I make a mental note to bring something to set on the ground so I can put her on her back without worrying about getting her dirty or exposing her to creepy crawlies.
We take a forking trail, another loop, and after seven miles finally return to the Jeep, hot and sweaty, and blissfully content.
“This was just an amazing trip.” Barbi stands on the step of the Jeep while I stow our gear.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I enjoyed every little bit of it. The hiking far more than the sex—although sex with Barbi is always memorable—this time, it felt different. No longer strangers, the sex is now only a part of the whole.