Page 29

Chapter 29

Wyatt

I f things hadn’t recently imploded with Noah, I would have begged him to take today’s tour. He’s still set on closing the business. I think I have an idea to significantly cut down our costs, and I’ve been taking steps to make that happen, even enlisting Hannah’s help in putting together a presentation for Noah. I just haven’t shared it with him yet.

It isn’t enough. It might have been if I'd come up with it weeks ago, before I screwed everything up so badly, but now I need more. I’ve been racking my brain for another opportunity to bring in extra revenue without drastically increasing our costs, but so far, I’ve got nothing. I will. I have to.

Still, despite usually loving leading tours, I don’t want to do this one. I booked a trip for a guy named Marcus and his about-to-be fiancé to Alberta Falls. That spot is probably responsible for more engagements than there are rocks up there. It’s a spot that I had hopes to show Moxie someday.

I’ve tried to bury my head in the business and put her out of my mind. To some extent, it’s worked, but as soon as whatever was pulling my focus is gone, the pain flares up as fresh as ever. This guy is going to propose, and I’m going to have to “share in their bliss” when I’m fucking miserable. I can’t take it.

I plaster a smile on my face as Marcus and Adelyn walk up. I do my best to maintain the facade as I go through the first leg of their tour. Sweet mountain air seeps into my lungs, and even with my determined misery, I can feel it trying to lift my spirits. It might be good that I’m out here. This is a spectacular hike if you ignore the aura of bliss surrounding Adelyn and Marcus.

Trying to dazzle the lovers with the beauty of nature on the walk up, I point out animal tracks and birds along the way, my mood only souring a little as thoughts of how Moxie would react to each tidbit creep in.

As we crest a ridge, a field of lupines peeks through the pines. Adelyn and Marcus hardly notice because they’re so focused on each other, and all I want to do is tuck one of those flowers into Moxie’s hair. I wipe my face as if I can scrape off the envy as I watch the tourists hold hands.

Two-thirds of the way to the waterfall, we come across an older couple guzzling water and struggling to catch their breath. I point out the picturesque mountain ridges in the distance to distract them while I make sure these two are okay. I don’t want to leave them in this shaky state.

“George insisted that we see the waterfall in person. He proposed to me up here forty years ago.” The older woman rubs her husband’s back as he wipes his brow.

“That’s so romantic.” Adelyn unconsciously strokes her boyfriend’s arm. The fifth wheel on a brand-new car would be more relevant than I feel right now.

“I thought it would be something special for our anniversary, but now I think it will be a way for her to remember my heart attack.” The older man attempts to laugh, but I'm a little too concerned the joke will come true to find it funny. As someone whose recent romantic attempts failed, I feel like I should help this poor guy out.

“I have an idea; what if we set you two up on a log over here, and we can do a video chat. I’ll take you up the rest of the way on my phone and we’ll share the view from the top,” I suggest.

The two of them exchange looks and reach out for each other’s hand. “That would be so kind.”

We spend a few minutes connecting the call, and then my young lovebirds and my older video sweethearts join me as I continue the tour to the falls. I resume pointing out all the gems our mountain has to offer, and Adelyn takes my phone and points it at me so that our new video friends have a good view. George keeps asking about different wildlife as we climb higher, and I continue to answer all his questions as if he were hiking with us. Fortunately, my young couple doesn’t seem to mind the extra company. At the top, I retrieve my phone and do a slow circle to show George and his wife Grace the breathtaking view.

“Oh George, it’s just like I remember. What a wonderful treat this is. Wyatt, put the phone down and take a picture of Adelyn and Marcus. It’s so pretty, they need to capture this.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get some good pictures for them.” I find a nice spot to prop my phone so they can still enjoy the waterfall.

“Do you two want me to take some pictures of you?”I ask.

Marcus rushes over and hands me his phone. He discreetly reaches into his pocket and pulls out a jewelry box. I take his phone, winking to assure him I’ll get the big moment.

They pose in front of the waterfall, and I snap pictures of them. Adelyn is giggling at something he shouts over the roaring of the falls. It’s so easy to see myself exploring the falls with Moxie and making her laugh like that.

Then he visibly summons his courage, and I switch to video to record as he sinks to one knee. My heart wrenches with joy for them, and I’m touched by George and Grace, who are cheering from their log a half mile down the mountain.

I’m overflowing with happiness, but I also feel a pang of jealousy and a deep longing to have a happily ever after of my own.So often in the past, I’ve wanted that, and if I'm honest with myself, the image of the woman by my side has been interchangeable. Now, I can’t imagine it being anyone other than Moxie.

I walk away from Adelyn and Marcus so they can have some privacy to revel in their joy. They seem to be floating on air.

“Grace, do you remember where you were standing when George proposed?”

Grace laughs. “Actually, I was leaning over to look at the waterfall, and as I started to lose my balance, my Prince Charming swooped me in his arms and asked me to be his.” She hugs a blushing George.

With the camera in my hand, I walk toward the edge and pan the view of the waterfall for them. I snap a few pictures to share with them later.

“George, it sounds like you were quite the Casanova in your day,” I tease him.

“I was trying to get a kiss but got a little carried away.”

“Oh, you rascal,” she says.

“I was all caught up in the moment and wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I look at the breathtaking view that has inspired such devotion and feel like my fucking heart is going to burst.

I’m grateful to our chatty new friends for the distraction from the bliss that rolls off the newly-engaged couple. We pick up George and Grace on our way down.

“Before we get back, can we get a picture of all of us? We really appreciate you sharing this with us. I can’t tell you how much it means. I know we weren’t with you, but it felt like we went up there together.” Grace looks like she’s about to attack me with a hug.

“What a great idea! This has been such a romantic day. I’ll never forget it.” Adelyn plants a kiss on Marcus. As I take a selfie dripping with other people’s love, the tiny seed of an idea begins to form.