Page 89 of Hope After Loss

“But I thought you were supposed to be loud with bears.”

He nods. “Yes. They understand territory. They’re territorial animals. If one stumbles up in your yard, you can shout and tell them to leave, and they will, but not if it’s a momma bear and her cubs are close. She’ll perceive you as a threat to the babies.”

“So, what do you do?”

“You stay calm. Don’t make any sudden moves. You keep your eyes on them, but don’t look her in the eyes. If the cubs move toward you, just back up slowly. She just needs to know that you pose no harm to her little ones.”

I can understand that.

I stay behind him and watch as the momma and her cubs frolic down the side of the mountain. The cubs are wrestling and rolling around while the mother patiently follows them. Keeping watch.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur.

“I know.”

Once the animals are out of sight, he takes my hand and leads me forward.

The sound of cascading water fills the air.

“I can hear the waterfall. Are we at the top?” I ask.

He lets go of my hand, steps ahead, and turns to me. “You made it. It’s just around the corner.”

I take off past him and race toward the sound.

When I come out of the tree line, I’m met with the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever seen.

A wall of turquoise-blue water cascades from the horizon and turns into a brilliant white, threaded with silver, as it rushes against the rocky mountainside and tumbles into a tranquil lagoon, which is framed with wildflowers that are gently nodding from the force of the air as the mist from the waterfall settles on their petals.

Wow.

“Is it as spectacular as you hoped?”

I turn to him as he drops the pack from his back.

“It’s even better,” I gasp.

I turn back to the water.

“Can we go for a swim before we set up?” I ask as I drop the poles and start to kick off my shoes.

“The water is going to be icy,” he warns.

“I don’t care,” I cry.

I drop the backpack and slide my pants from my hips. I layered a pair of biker shorts underneath them this morning. Then, I unbutton the flannel Weston loaned me and take off toward the water.

I wade in, and he’s right; it’s chilly, but I continue in anyway. Once I’m used to the temperature, I roll to my back and kick my legs.

“Come on, Weston. It’s refreshing,” I shout.

I watch as he strips each piece of clothing off slowly until he’s down to his boxers, a mischievous grin on his face. He takes off running and dives into the water, causing it to splash around me.

When he makes it to me, I can feel his heat before he surfaces.

“Gotcha.” He brings his eyes to mine, and those mischievous dimples appear.

“What do you plan to do with me?” I ask as I wrap my arms around his shoulders.