Page 42 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“I changed it when I was eighteen.” She shrugged. “I guess I felt the need to cut ties with her. And I knew this girl in high school—Jennie Loveland. I always thought it was such a wonderful last name.”

“It has a nice ring to it.” He leaned into Kate’s shoulder and gave her a nudge. “No matter how this works out with your mom, you’re going to be just fine.”

He wanted to tell her she was strong enough to get through this. That she could handle anything life threw her way. But he was afraid he’d already said too much.

16

Sweat beaded on Katie’s skin. But even as the sun rose higher in the sky and the air thickened with humidity, Katie found herself smiling. The morning had passed with surprising speed.

Cooper was right; they’d passed a few hikers heading north on the trail. They stopped for a moment to chat with a couple from Kentucky who had been hiking one segment at a time. After ten days on the trail, they were eager to reach Riverbend, where warm showers and comfy beds awaited them.

Her conversations with Cooper were light and fun, their laughter frequently cutting through the thick forest. She liked his sense of humor. It reminded her of their time on the cliff when he’d tried to keep her from dwelling on the tenuous situation. Now that the circumstances weren’t life or death, she was able to fully enjoy his company.

They talked about his run for the sheriff’s position and Katie’s reasons for becoming a nurse—her brother’s heart issues being thebiggest factor. She’d been his health advocate and found comfort in being able todosomething.

When she and Cooper weren’t talking due to steep inclines, Katie pondered two questions: Why did she keep telling Cooper intimate details of her life that she hadn’t yet shared with Gavin? And why had she been worried about having Gavin on this trek when she didn’t mind having Cooper along?

Her nose twitched at the earthy smell of rain an instant before a drop hit her arm. A moment later another splashed on her hand.

Soon a steady drizzle spilled from the sky.

“Did you bring a rain jacket?” Cooper called over his shoulder.

“No—they weren’t calling for rain.”

“I didn’t either.” He scanned the surroundings. “Nothing worse than hiking in wet clothes. Let’s find someplace to sit it out.”

“Sounds good. We have plenty of time.” They’d planned to arrive at the shelter before the worst heat of the day.

“There’s an outcropping of rocks just ahead.”

As they approached she saw the outcropping was up a steep incline off the path. The rock wall went about twenty feet high and bore an indentation at the base. Not deep enough to be a cave but enough to provide shelter.

“Looks like a good place to hunker down.” Cooper scrambled up the incline.

“Looks like a good place for a bear to hang out.”

He tossed her a smile as he gave her a hand up the hill. “Should keep us good and dry.”

“Hopefully it’ll pass quickly. Maybe even cool things off. It’s a good time for lunch anyway. You hungry yet?”

“Starving.”

They took off their packs and settled side by side in the cozy enclave. The scent of rain in the air and the gentle pattering on the leafy canopy created a soothing atmosphere.

She unzipped her bag and rooted for snacks. “The sound and smell of rain remind me of lazy mornings as a kid.”

“Sounds like a good memory.”

“I used to hate getting out of bed on days like this. I probably drove Jill nuts on school mornings.”

“Your foster mom, right?”

“Yeah.” She pulled out a bag and ripped it open.

“Skittles? That’s the sustaining snack you brought?”

“Sugar provides quick energy.” She flashed him a cheeky smile and popped a few in her mouth.