Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
How did Ben Black know that this hike was exactly what I needed?
I tug on his arm once more, and he turns around to meet my gaze.
His brown eyes are kind and beautiful and full of joy. Demons? Did he say he has demons? Because I don’t see them.
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Thank you for this,” I say. “For making me do this.”
He chuckles. “Tessa, I don’t think I can make you do anything.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ben
This is my first time hiking the falls, but when the resort planner told me about it, I knew we had to do it.
I knew it would be perfect for Tessa—and for the rest of us, for that matter.
This is nothing for Braden and me. The cold plunge is much chillier and requires a lot more mental fortitude.
But for Tessa? This is the beauty of nature, the power of water, and the life force of oxygen in the air.
Exactly what she needs.
“This place is like a hidden paradise,” Tessa says. “Yet we’re not very far from the resort. Which is also paradise, but in a different way.”
“Manmade versus nature,” I say. “Nature wins every time.”
I already had my cold plunge this morning, but being here revitalizes me with a rush of adrenaline and awe. The cascading waters and joyfulness of the tourists provide an absorbing soundtrack. Ascending the steps isn’t particularly difficult for someone in good shape, but there’s still a thrilling sense of accomplishment as the frothy waters curl around my feet and the Caribbean sun hits my bare chest.
I tug on Tessa’s arm, helping her onto a particularly high rock. She turns around and gazes downward, joy filling her dark eyes.
Yes, this was definitely a good idea.
“The view from the top must be amazing,” she says.
“This is so much fun!” Betsy says from a few steps above us.
“They’ve reached the summit,” I say, taking Tessa’s hand again. “Come on. Let’s go.”
A few more rocks, and Tessa and I join Marcus and the others at the top. Skye and Braden have fallen behind, Skye snapping photo after photo.
“Congratulations, everyone!” Marcus grins. “You’ve made it to the top of Dunn’s River Falls.”
I didn’t bring a camera, and neither did Tessa. Plus, we left our phones behind so they wouldn’t get wet. No matter. Skye will have her own photographs, and they’ll be better than anything I could capture.
Besides, I don’t need a photo. I’ll never forget this place—or the serene look on Tessa’s beautiful face.
“Take in all the scenery,” Marcus advises. “The lush jungle, the Caribbean Sea. The silver, white, and gray of the stones around you. Just think.” He gestures. “These steps were formed over centuries by the waters themselves.”
Tessa is gazing outward. “It’s so tranquil here. Even with the crowds of people. I almost feel like it’s only you and I.”
“I should have rented out the Falls for the day,” I say, “and then it could have been.”
I expect her to say something snide about me throwing my money around, but she surprises me. “Could you imagine that? Only the two of us? No voices, nothing splashing us except the water itself. It would be heaven, Ben. Absolute heaven.”
The look on her face, the sound of her voice…
I’d give up my fortune and surrender to my demons if it meant I could keep Tessa in her current state of mind, that beautiful, unflustered smile on her face.
Skye and Braden eventually make it to the top, and Skye snaps about a hundred more photos. Marcus and the others begin to descend, and Skye and Braden follow.
But Tessa and I…
We stay. The limos won’t leave without us, and if they do? I’ll call another.
Because right now, in this moment, Tessa is feeling something wonderful. I won’t take that away from her.
We’ll go at her pace.
Her breathing is deep, and every once in a while she closes her eyes. Then she opens them quickly, as if she doesn’t want to miss one second of this spectacular view.
Finally she turns to me. “We should go.”
I gently touch her shoulder. “We’ll go when you’re ready to go and not one moment sooner.”
She nods. “I’m ready. Thank you for talking me into this. It’s been wonderful, truly.”
I give her a smile. “I’m glad.” I grab her hand. “We need to be more careful going down. It’s easy to slip and fall.”
“I’ll be careful.”
I take the lead, navigating each step with care, balancing the exhilaration of the waterfall’s force with care to maintain my footing. I grip Tessa’s hand, helping her down each rock.
The water laps our knees, and in some places nearly hits our waists, but I hear no complaints from Tessa. We move with the water, smoothly navigating it, until—
“Oh shit!” I slide off a rock and into a pool of water up to my chest.
Tessa tumbles down after me, and I catch her in my arms, water cascading over us.