Page 31 of Meeting Me, Loving You (Hearts of Maple Lake #1)

CAMERON

I t’s still dark when we take our first steps on the trail, our breaths freezing in the air as we begin our ascent up the dirt path. Tyler takes the lead, Juliet right behind him with Dax on her heels, and I take up the rear.

I thought it would be uncomfortable to see Tyler again, believing that he blamed me for breaking contact with him, as unintentional as it was.

But Tyler embraced me with open arms, his hug strong, matching mine.

He looks different than I remember him, and it’s not just his five o’clock shadow that holds tight against his jaw or the fact that he’s twelve years older than when I last saw him.

I met him and Jules at the trailhead at seven o’clock.

Like the siblings they are, they bantered about the cold and their lack of sleep.

Tyler apparently made Jules stay up way too late watching old reruns of their favorite shows.

I’m easily transported to life before Dad’s job took me away from them.

Our reunion was genuine but short, as we all wanted to get our bodies moving before the cold overtook any ounce of energy we had in store for this morning. The sunrise is projected to be at seven thirty, and the hike to the top shouldn’t take us more than twenty minutes, according to Jules.

The headlamps we’re wearing illuminate the path directly at our feet, leaving the woods around us dark, save for the moon that casts shadows through the branches.

Tyler informed us that the hike would only be a mile long, where we’ll stop at an outlook and enjoy the view of the sunrise.

Jules seemed to like the idea of a short hike but, even with her back to me, I can tell that she isn’t enjoying the weather at all.

Winter might be gone, but without the sun to chase the chill in the air, it’s not exactly a comfortable experience.

I’m used to hiking and spending most of my time outdoors, but I’m surprised at Tyler’s stamina as he leads us over tree roots and rocks that jut out at all angles.

The path is well worn, showing signs of frequent foot traffic, but it wouldn’t be an easy trail for an inexperienced hiker.

For someone who works in the city, Tyler seems to have kept to his mountain roots.

I look up from the trail to see Jules as the light from my headlamp coats her in a soft glow.

Her thick black hiking pants make a swishing sound while she walks.

Her long braid hangs down her back and a beige colored winter hat covers her ears.

None of us have spoken since we started walking, the cold and the difficulty of the uphill climb keeping us silent.

The only sound is of our increasingly labored breathing.

Not wanting Jules to realize my light shining on her, I start to look down at my feet and where I’m stepping.

Right before I do, I see her foot slip on a loose rock, and she begins to lose her balance.

I’m close enough behind her that I quickly lunge forward, grabbing her around the waist with both hands, steadying her before she can fall or twist an ankle.

Jules finds her footing and turns her body around in my hands, facing me straight on.

With the incline of the path adding to her height, we stand face to face.

My fingers are wrapped around her waist, and I feel how small and slender she is beneath her layers of clothing.

The light from our lamps shine on both our faces.

Her cheeks are flushed, her nose red from the cold.

“Thank you,” she says so quietly it’s almost a whisper. The fog from our breaths mingles in the small space between us.

“You’re good at falling, aren’t you?” I say, arching a brow.

“And it would seem you’re good at picking me up,” she replies.

My heart rate quickens at both her response and our proximity. Jules doesn’t break eye contact, and it’s like she’s waiting to see what I’ll do next.

I want to kiss her.

“Watch out for this uneven rock!” Tyler’s voice breaks the fragile moment like glass, bringing us back to the present.

My hands slowly fall from her waist, the feel of her body through my gloves vanishing with the movement. I look toward Tyler, curious if he saw our interaction, but he hasn’t turned around as he continues paving the way up the path.

I give Jules a tight-lipped smile. She exhales slowly, like she was holding her breath, and it’s only because of the chilly air fogging her breath that I notice.

She lowers her eyes and adjusts her headlamp, continuing to hike the incline.

Dax walks circles around us, weaving in and out of the path as he explores.

He disappears for a minute or two at a time, not restrained by a leash, and always comes back, shoving his nose into Juliet’s gloves to check in with her.

The hike continues in silence once again. We occasionally come up on large rocks that need to be climbed, but the path is fairly clear of obstacles. As we gain elevation, the horizon comes into view over the ridge and the trees open up. We reach the outlook, and we all take in the view .

The deep blue of the sky above has turned to purple, and the morning sun is peeking over the horizon, spreading pinks and oranges as far as we can see.

Rolling mountains in the distance are still bare, the leafless trees reaching up in anticipation of another season of growth and renewal.

The stars are now hiding behind the light of the sun, and the moon continues to gradually fade as I bask in the tranquility that only nature has ever brought me.

“It’s beautiful,” Jules says, scanning the view. Several sunbeams have escaped the clutches of the mountain ahead, cascading over her face as she closes her eyes against the sudden light.

“It is,” I agree, not at all thinking about the sunrise.

I hear Tyler rummaging through his backpack, and I turn to ask if he needs help retrieving our breakfast. But he isn’t looking at his bag. He’s staring at me, one brow quirked knowingly.

He just caught me staring at his little sister.

The day passes quickly. After the sunrise hike with Juliet and Tyler, I drove to the gym for my usual Saturday routine, then went home to shower and do some class prep for Monday.

I agreed to meet them later at Jules’ apartment, and we’ll take my truck to Sansville for the afternoon.

We didn’t finalize a meeting time, and Jules said she’d text me when they were done doing their rounds.

Apparently, every time Tyler comes for a visit, he stops in at every shop to say hi to the locals.

I guess since they grew up here, it makes sense.

The people here are like family to those two, and he misses them when he’s gone.

So while I wait for Jules to text, I grade math homework and watch Penny as she swims back and forth in her tank, happy as a clam.

Jules

Hey, Ty is done with his hellos around town. Want to meet at my apartment at 2?

Yeah, that sounds good.

Jules

Are you sure you’re okay with driving? Doesn’t your truck cost a fortune on gas?

She’s not wrong.

Of course I can drive, I don’t mind the extra cost for us to all be comfortable. It might be funny for you to see me squished into your tiny car, but I’d rather not.

Jules

Understandable. See you at 2! *smiley face emoji*

See you at 2.