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“What can you hear?” It was always fun to play the listening game at that particular juncture. Most hikers were so intent on the climb that they failed to notice what was right on top of them.

“You talking nonsense!” Miles snorted.

“Try harder.” I pushed the words through gritted teeth, raising my gaze skyward. The blue skies that had welcomed us by the bridge had seeped away to reveal their grayer cousins. There had been no precipitation forecast, but I hoped everyone had been sensible enough to pack their waterproofs, just in case.

“Wait.” Erin turned in the direction of the nearby waterfall and leaned toward the noise of the running water. “Whatisthat?”

“Come this way and I’ll show you.” Holding back the neighboring branches, I motioned for her to go ahead.

“Oh, yeah!” James jeered. “I thought there was no time for woodland nookie?”

“All of you,” I hissed, tiring of the men’s incessant witticisms. “This way.”

Erin’s gaze lingered my way as she wandered past. “Thank you.”

“What’s this way?” Chelle asked, following her friend.

“Wait and see.” I smiled at her daunted expression. “It’s nothing awful.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” James rolled his eyes as he pushed past me.

His bravado poured salt on the wound his attitude had already created, but Erin’s voice cut through my irritation.

“Wow! I didn’t expect this!”

“Careful.” Stalking to the front of the group, I strode out into the tiny clearing to ensure everyone was safe. “Stay back from the edge.”

The trees broke cover about nine feet from the edge of the first of many breathtaking waterfalls in the area. Our elevated position and thousands of years of weather ensured fresh water cascaded from the rocks, falling ultimately to the river below.

“Nice!” Miles barked as he joined us. “This looks like a photo opportunity.”

“Good thinking.” James dropped his pack to the ground. “Let’s do this!”

“Okay.” Sensing where the conversation was going, I interjected, “How about we take a quick break?”

The four were fitter than I’d given them credit for and had matched my pace until the gradient started to become more challenging. That meant we’d made good progress and gave us a chance for a break. I was certainly ready for a holiday from their relentless banter.

“About time!” James clapped his hands together. “We’ve been going for hours.”

“Just over one hour,” I corrected, checking my watch to confirm the point. “We’ve only scaled the first incline.”

“Hmmm.” James scowled as though I was conflating an irrelevant point. “Whatever. Come on, Chelle. Get your camera out.”