strong but relaxed, where he leaned against the wall waiting for her. He had that quirky smile on his lips and a glint in his eye, and although she knew that he was a card shark and could pounce at a moment’s notice, she had to admit that he’d really come through for her when the chips were down. She’d made her stake. Tonight she’d play Big Julie! She felt as light as meringue.
“All part of the service,” Tanner said. “Do you have plans for the afternoon? It’s a nice day to go to Mount Charleston for a walk.”
Hope glanced at him, surprised. Was he asking her on a date?
“I don’t have plans,” she said. I was thinking I’d go home for a horseback ride.”“Isn’t Saturday the traditional day of rest for horses?”
Hope grinned. “Urban myth. Typical. I don’t know how these things get started. You know, if you wanted to learn to ride, you could take Blondie. A blind, one-legged goat could stay on Blondie.”
“Oh, good. I’ve finally been compared to a blind, one-legged goat. Another thing I can cross off my bucket list.”
Hope laughed and glanced up at him. “What else is on your bucket list?” she asked. What was she doing? She was flirting with Tanner. That was bad. Her voice yelled at her. No flirting! No heartbreak!
“I’ll tell you if you take the walk with me.”
Hope ignored the voice. She felt light and carefree, reckless and on top of the world. She could conquer anything. Overcome all obstacles. They would have a good time this afternoon, that was all. Tanner would not break her heart.
She wanted to go on a hike with Tanner. She wanted a date. She wanted him to kiss her again.
“I can’t hike in these clothes,” she said, glancing down at her linen cropped pants and high-heeled sandals.
“We can buy you something,” Tanner said. “You’ve earned it.”
“I sure did.” Hope turned and they started to walk toward the shopping arcade. She felt the bounce in her step as they passed the shops. “I just need shorts. I’ve got boots in my car.”
It didn’t take Hope long to find a pair of poppy-pink nylon hiking shorts. Then she went to meet Tanner, who had bought bottled water for the hike.
“All set,” she said.
Tanner looked at her long legs, tanned under the bright pink shorts. “My day’s already improved,” he said.
Hope laughed. “Wait until you see me in my hiking boots,” she said. “That’ll really float your boat.”
They took Tanner’s truck to Mount Charleston, about thirty-five miles away, which promised good hiking, higher elevations, and cooler temperatures. As Hope climbed out of the truck at the park’s trailhead, Tanner grabbed a knapsack from behind the seat.
“That’s the water?” she asked.
Tanner locked the truck. “Water, snacks, nylon blanket,” he said. “A few basics.”
“Good thinking,” Hope said. “In case we can’t find the restaurant.”
Tanner grinned. “Exactly.”
They struck out on a hard-packed dry trail that led upwards between groves of ponderosa pine and white fir. Hope breathed in the sharp pine scent in the clear, thin air.
“I don’t get out here enough,” she said. “Usually I get home from work and go for a ride. I love that. But—”
“Variety is the spice of life,” Tanner agreed.
They left the pine grove behind, heading steadily uphill, and entered a stand of aspen. In late summer, the trees were just starting to turn color, but wildflowers still bloomed. Hope could see a few butterflies clinging to the purple petals. Overhead the sky was a thin, high blue, sprinkled with white cumulus clouds.
“Let’s stop for a minute,” she said.
Tanner opened the knapsack and handed her a bottle of water. Hope cracked the top and took a swallow, taking in the color and light. She smiled at Tanner.
“This is beautiful,” she said.
Tanner smiled at the happiness in her face. “Yes, it is,” he said. “Never more than now.”
Hope’s smile widened. “It’s a good time of year.”
“It is in my calendar.”
They walked on, meeting no one. About an hour later, Tanner stopped.
“There’s a waterfall just up that branch trail,” he said. “It’s probably mostly dry by now, but it would be cool. Want to check it out or go on to the top?”
“Let’s check it out,” Hope decided. They followed an abandoned road for a few minutes, which narrowed to a path and then barely a track.
“Are you sure this is the right way?” Hope asked, following Tanner through what looked like unmarked trees and scrubby brush.