Page 52 of High Country Escape
She lifted her gaze and looked into his eyes. “I’m here when you’re ready,” he said. And then he kissed her, his mouth on hers sealing the promise of his words. He tasted of apples and the sweep of his tongue across her lips sent heat pooling between her legs. She pressed one hand to his chest, not to push him away, but to steady herself against the dizzying sensation that spiraled through her. He angled his head to deepen the kiss and a low moan escaped her.
The sound of the front door opening split them apart. They sat back, a little wild-eyed, more than a little breathless. Roxanne touched her still-tingling lips, wondering if they were swollen, then tried to smooth her hair. Dalton cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Hey, kids,” George Ames called. “Dalton, have you seen my new camouflage ball cap? I can’t find the dang thing anywhere and I’ve only had it a couple of weeks.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s hanging on the back of the door in the office at the tour company,” Dalton said.
“Really? I thought I’d looked there, but I guess I’d better look again.” He walked past them into the kitchen, where they heard him greet his wife.
Roxanne looked at Dalton, who patted her thigh, then picked up the half-eaten apple and took another bite.
Monday morning, Roxannechanged clothes three times before she settled on jeans and a teal Henley, along with the jacket Dalton had advised her to bring. “It can get cold at the higher elevations,” he had said. “Plus, you’ll be riding in an open-topped Jeep.”
With that in mind, she braided her hair in a single plait and added a black ball cap her employer had given to everyone at the last team-building function. This was the first time she had worn it, but she decided it didn’t look half bad.
All this fretting over her wardrobe meant that she was the last to arrive at the tour office. Dalton’s relief was plain when she hurried to join the group gathered around him. But there was a tension about him, too—a tightness around his mouth that made her instantly alert. “That’s everyone, then,” he said. “Why don’t you all introduce yourselves while I take this paperwork up to the office.” He indicated the clipboard in his hand. “Roxanne, you can come with me and sign your release forms.”
She hurried to catch up with him as he crossed the yard to the office. “I’m sorry about this,” he said when they were out of earshot of the others. “I swear I didn’t know when I invited you that she was on the tour.”
“Who?” she asked, confused. She looked back over her shoulder, but could only see the backs of one of the couples around the Jeep.
“Debra Percy is on this tour,” he said.
She blinked, surprised. “You’re kidding!” Was Debra really so relentless in her pursuit of whatever she thought Roxanne knew that she would book a Jeep tour with her?
“She signed up two weeks ago, according to her reservation form,” Dalton said. “We could do this another time, if she makes you too uncomfortable.”
She shook her head. “No. It’s okay. I’m sure it will be fine.” She didn’t dislike Debra, really. The woman just made her uncomfortable. Sad. “I want to spend the day with you,” she added.
“Yeah. I want that, too. Anyway, you’ll be up front with me. I’ll put her in the back. That way it will be hard for her to even talk to you.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Paperwork done, they rejoined the group by the Jeep. Dalton welcomed them, explained some safety rules, then invited themto climb in. “You first, Debra,” he said, and motioned for her to climb into the back seat of the open Jeep.
Roxanne settled into the front passenger seat and fastened her safety belt. Dalton got behind the wheel and the tour began. In addition to Roxanne and Debra, there were three couples, all of retirement age, visiting from Florida, Arizona and Manitoba. They exclaimed over the scenery and piled out of the Jeep at the first stop, a pullout on the edge of town that afforded a view of the valley below and the first of what Dalton promised would be six waterfalls on the tour.
“Hi, Roxanne.” Debra sidled up as Roxanne was photographing the scenery. “Do you come on Dalton’s tours often?”
“This is my first,” Roxanne said. “What about you? Have you taken a Jeep tour before?”
“No. I saw the brochure and decided to treat myself.”
“Gather ’round, everyone, and I’ll tell you a little more about this area,” Dalton called.
Roxanne moved in beside him, allowing another couple to fill in the space between her and Debra. As Dalton told them about the history of the area, she took in his words but also enjoyed the opportunity to watch him while his attention was elsewhere. In sunglasses, T-shirt and shorts and a ball cap, he could have been mistaken for a college kid working a summer job. Only she knew he was also a talented software developer and a dedicated search and rescue volunteer. Not to mention a very good kisser.
They moved on, with a stop at the ruins of an old mine, where Dalton delivered an entertaining lecture on the history of mining in the area, including several corny jokes that made them all giggle, if only because his delivery was so humorous. They passed many other vehicles on the four-wheel-drive roads, from other Jeep tours to individuals riding ATVs and motorbikes, and even hikers making their way up the mountain.
The higher they climbed, the more spectacular the views—of golden aspen against achingly blue sky and the mingled gold, orange and red hues of the rocks, like candy tumbled down the mountainside. After two more waterfalls, they broke for lunch. Dalton passed out boxes that contained sandwiches, chips, apples and cookies. “This all looks homemade,” one of the men commented.
“My mom makes it all,” Dalton said.
Everyone spread out to eat. Roxanne joined him on a large boulder with a view of the waterfall. She half expected Debra to join them, but the other woman was chatting with one of the couples. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?” she asked Dalton, keeping her voice low.
“I didn’t at first,” he said. “I don’t have Carter’s easy way with people. But when I started learning more about the history and geography of the area and sharing it with people, it got easier. Fun, even.”
“Do you ever have trouble with your clients?” she asked.
“Oh, every once in a while you get someone who likes to complain, but most people are really nice, and interesting to talk to.”