He shook his head. “Keep dreaming, princess. Remember, you lose when the first complaint comes out of your mouth.”
I stalked past him to the door. “Then it’s a good thing I don’t plan on complaining. Let’s go.”
The entrance to Grand Teton National Forest wasn’t far from Blake’s ranch. We stopped at one of the visitor centers and I grabbed a few pamphlets on the various trails. One went over specifics of what you should do if you came upon a bear. The thought scared the shit out of me, but I kept quiet. The bet was, I wouldn’t complain and I could keep up. I wasn’t about to fail.
“There are so many trails. How are we going to pick one?” I said, gazing at the map in awe.
“I think you’d like Taggart Lake. It’s surrounded by mountains and the water is as clear as glass. It was one of the first trails I did as a kid, except that was during the summer. We’re probably going to be trekking through four and five feet of snow today.”
I waved him off. “That’s easy for me. We get plenty of snow up north.”
“Okay, Ranger Rivers. Sounds like you got this under control. Let’s get our trail on!” He tapped me on the ass and led me out of the center.
When we reached the trailhead, there were only three cars in the parking lot. “I guess it’s a good thing it’s off season. I bet this place is packed in the summer.”
He snorted. “You have no idea. I stay away from all of these places during that time. Too many rude fucking tourists. It amazes me how some have absolutely no respect for nature.”
We got out of the car and he hauled the backpack over his shoulders. “How much did you pack?” I asked, gawking at the heavy bag.
“You have to be prepared out here. These trails aren’t exactly a walk in the park.” Grinning wide, he strapped the bag to his back, and a holstered gun around his hips. “Let’s see what you’re made of, Hollywood.”
I waved toward the trail. “After you, city.”
Chuckling, he started off on the path and I had no problem keeping up. So far so good.
“Do you have a camera?” Everything was so beautiful, I hated not being able to capture it. Once I left, I was probably never going to see it again.
Blake stopped and opened a side zipper on the bag. “As a matter of fact, I do. Have at it.”
He handed me the camera and I squealed. “Will you be able to email me the pictures? I want to remember this place. Plus, it’s the perfect inspiration for my new song.”
“I can do that, sure. But if we run out of time, you can just take the camera with you. I’ll get it back somehow.”
And just like that, I realized I’d never see him again once I left. Lifting the camera, I snapped pictures of the mountains, and a few of him. Before going home, I’d have to sneak pictures of him working out in his barn, wearing his cowboy hat and no shirt. I wanted to remember him.
“What are you writing about?” he asked.
We came upon a bridge overlooking a rapidly flowing stream; it sounded almost like a waterfall. I snapped a few pictures and smiled. “I just started it. Basically, it’s about a guy and girl who fall in love. He’s a cowboy who changes his bad boy ways.”
His lips pulled back in a smirk. “You’re not writing it about me are you?”
“Please.” I snorted. “I don’t see you changing your ways. Besides, players don’t fall in love. It would ruin their game.”
He shrugged. “Maybe you’re right. I’m not the kind of guy who can be tamed.”
That was for damn sure.
The trail disappeared into the forest, hiding the sun with its blanket of treetops. I shivered as the temperature turned colder. “You never know, Blake. One day, you might find the right woman. She’s out there somewhere.”