Then Came You ; Written with Love

by Kianna Alexander

  He’d been traveling from city to city for the better part of his adulthood, searching for the right place to settle. On the surface of things, he wanted what most people did: stable employment, a nice home, a sense of community. Deep down, he knew what he was really seeking: a place to call home. A place where he’d get the acceptance denied to him by his mother, and the predictability made impossible by his father’s lifestyle and career. His craving for a real home had been the most intense longing in his life...

  Up until the moment he’d laid eyes on Robyn.

  More than anything, he wanted to break away from that the brokenness of his past. Somewhere out there was the place he belonged. He only hoped he’d find his true home before this life ended.

  A faint sound drew his attention. It was coming from beneath him, somewhere in the main house.

  My phone.

  Who would be calling me at this hour?

  Panic set in as he realized something must be happening with Mama Jeannie. He stood, the bass still in his grasp, and quickly but carefully picked his way down the stairs and to his bedroom. Grabbing the ringing phone from the nightstand, he sat down on the bed.

  “Hello? Is something wrong with Mama Jeannie? Do I need to—”

  “Troy, everything’s fine. It’s me, Robyn.”

  A sigh of relief escaped his lips. “Thank goodness.” Setting the bass on the bed next to him, he asked, “Why are you calling me at this hour? I didn’t expect you to be up.”

  “I was raised on a ranch, Troy. Up with the chickens and all.”

  He glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. Four forty-nine. “Hell, I don’t even know if the chickens are up yet.”

  She giggled.

  “What’s up?”

  “I know it’s kind of an odd request, especially at this hour, but...would you like to go hiking with me today?”

  His brow furrowed. “It’s kind of short notice.”

  “I know, sorry about that. I should have asked you before you left my house, but I was, um, distracted.”

  He thought back to their heated kiss. “So was I, so I guess I can’t really blame you.”

  She giggled. “So, what do you think? Wanna come along?”

  “I’m game. Where do you usually hike?”

  “The state parks around here and Santa Fe. Either Hyde Memorial or Heron Lake.”

  “I’ll go. Let’s do Heron Lake.” He rubbed his chin. “Ever been out on a canoe?”

  “Not recently.”

  “Then let’s make a day of it. We’ll hike early, then canoe the lake at sunset. How’s that?”

  “Sounds like a pretty awesome day.”

  He detected an undertone in her voice, one he couldn’t quite place. Considering the hour and the newness of their relationship, he decided to take her agreement at face value.

  “Great,” she said. “I’ve got a whole list of stuff you should bring with you. Got a pen?”

  “Give me a sec, I’ll grab one.” He snatched a pen and a small notebook from the drawer of his bedside table. “Okay. I’m ready.” While she rattled off the list, he jotted down the items.

  After confirming that he’d taken good notes, she yawned. “Now I’ve got to decide whether to get dressed or lie back down for a bit.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t get back in bed, it’s a trap. You’ll oversleep for sure.”

  Another soft giggle met that remark. “See you in a few hours, Troy.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  After he disconnected the call, he sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. It was as if she’d known he was thinking of her.

  Amazing.

  Placing the bass on a safer position on the bed, he went to take a shower and get ready for the day.

  Chapter 9

  “I can’t believe you’re ditching me for a man.”

  Robyn sighed in response to Kima’s complaint. “Oh, come on, Kima. You’ve gone hiking with me every year since forever, and this is the first time I’ve ever gone with someone else.”

  “That someone else is a man.” Kima placed terse emphasis on the last word.

  Robyn put the phone on her bed, then sat down and pulled on the heavy brown boots that would protect her feet and ankles from the uneven, rocky terrain. “You’ve been on me to give Troy a real second chance, haven’t you? This is part of that.”

  “Girl, I meant go on regular dates. You know, like regular people? I thought y’all would do the dinner-and-movie thing.” Kima blew out a breath. “I never thought it would mean getting left behind for the hike.”

  “I’m going on a Saturday this time, and you know how hard it is for you to get Saturdays off at the spa.”

  “That’s beside the point, Robyn.”

  “I’m sorry, Kima. I just...feel like this will be good for us. Out there in the wilderness, there are no distractions, no pretenses.” She needed to get away from the ranch, away from the watchful eyes and listening ears of the townsfolk. If she was going to make the right decisions about her future, she needed to clear her head. She finished lacing her boots and let her feet dangle off the side of the bed. “If there’s anything hidden between us, it’s going to come out.”

  “Remember you said that.”

  She felt a twinge.

  “Does he know about her? That she’s the whole reason you go on this trip every year?”

  She swallowed. “No.”

  “I’m just worried about you, Robyn. If you need support up there...”

  “He hasn’t given me any reason to think he wouldn’t be supportive.”

  Kima’s tone softened. “If you need me, call me, girl. Because if he gives you any trouble at all, you know I’m flipping tables.”

  She smiled. “I love you, too, Kima. ’Bye, girl.”

  “Later.”

  She disconnected the call and went to toss the rest of her gear in the brown backpack she always took with her on these trips. She’d be meeting Troy at Heron Lake State Park in an hour or so, and as she rifled through the pack, she made a mental inventory of everything inside. First-aid kit. Snacks. Bottled water. Multitool. Ponchos. Flashlight. Lighter. As an experienced hiker, putting together her kit had become second nature.

  She slung the backpack over her shoulder, tucking her phone, driver’s license and a bit of money into one of the pockets on her cargo pants. Then she grabbed her sunglasses and hat and left the house.

  When she pulled into the parking lot at the park a little while later, she saw Troy waiting for her. He’d parked his SUV, and was leaning his back against it, his attention trained on the screen of his phone. She cut the engine, grabbed her backpack, got out of her vehicle and walked toward him.

  He was dressed in thick olive-green cargo pants, black hiking boots and a fitted, long-sleeve black shirt. Beneath the brim of his straw cowboy hat, a pair of dark sunglasses obscured his eyes. There was nothing to obscure the smile he wore when he saw her, though.

  “Morning, Robyn.”

  She moved next to him, gave him a peck on the lips. “Good morning, Troy.”

  “You look nice.”

  She looked down at her layered long-sleeve T-shirt, tan cargo pants and boots. “Thanks. My mind was more on preparedness than fashion today, though.” She gestured at the canoe tied to his roof rack. “Nice vessel.”

  He grinned, reaching up to pat the canoe’s bright green hull. “Saranac 160. Smooth ride and easy to paddle. Perfect for a quiet evening on the water.”

  She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat when he mentioned the water. Hiking had been her suggestion, and it seemed only fair to let him choose something for them to do as well.

  I’m not afraid of the water. It will be fine.

  “So, what can I expect on this hiking adventure?” His voice cut into her thoughts.

  S
he returned her attention to him. “The Salmon Run trail here is really great. It’s five and a half miles of natural beauty. It’s got some gorgeous views, and there’s a suspension bridge that’ll take us over the Rio Chama River.”

  He appeared impressed. “Sounds nice. And how long does it normally take you to hike it?”

  “I can do the whole thing in about five hours.”

  His thick eyebrows rose, and he stared at her with wide eyes. “Say what now?”

  She chuckled. “Since you’re not a hiker, I thought we’d take the East Meadow trail. It’s a little over two miles and the terrain isn’t as rough. So, about three hours.”

  He placed his hand over his chest and exhaled dramatically. “I appreciate you.”

  Giggling, she shook her head. “Do you have all the stuff I told you to bring?”

  “Yep.” He turned around to show her the green pack on his back. “I’m ready.”

  “Then let’s hit the trail.” She grabbed his hand, and they got underway.

  It was well past the height of the busy season, so there weren’t any other hikers on the trail. The temperature hovered near sixty-five degrees, and along with partly sunny skies and a light breeze, it made for a pleasant hike. She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the sweet, fresh air, scented by the towering pines above them. He kept pace with her over the hilly terrain, holding her hand in his.

  The only sounds were the birds and wildlife, and the loose gravel crunching beneath their boots.

  “Doing okay, Troy?”

  He nodded. “I can hang.”

  “Be on the lookout. There’re all kinds of animals out here. Deer, turkeys, elk and the occasional mountain lion.”

  He coughed. “Very funny, Robyn.”

  “It’s not a joke, but okay.”

  He groaned, running a hand over his face. “Lord. What did I let you talk me into?”

  She laughed. He’s obviously a little uncomfortable, but at least he was willing to try it.

  “Guess I didn’t ask the right questions before we came up here.” He shook his head. “How many times have you hiked here?”

  “I’ve been coming here to hike every year since I was seventeen.”

  “Alone?”

  She shook her head. “Usually, Kima comes with me. I think I’ve done it alone three times, but those were all times she couldn’t make it. She’s got my goddaughter to take care of.”

  “Okay, and in all the times you’ve been up here, how many times have you actually seen a mountain lion?”

  “Only once, and that was from a distance.” She met his eyes. “Are you really nervous about it?”

  He maintained eye contact. “No, just cautious.”

  She nodded, understanding where he was coming from. She could appreciate a man that leaned on reason rather than bravado and bluster in a situation like this.

  They rounded a bend in the trail, coming within sight of the trail terminus, situated above the Willow Creek arm of Heron Lake. “It’s not too much farther. The trail ends at the overlook just ahead.”

  He reached into his hip pocket, extracted a handkerchief and wiped it over his brow. “All right.”

  A sound caught her attention. She stopped, pointing to a grove of bushes just off the trail. “I hear something.”

  He halted, his gaze swinging in the direction she indicated. While they watched and waited, the rustling sound increased as the branches began to shake and buckle.

  She took a step back, and he moved as well, inserting himself between her and the bush.

  Her gaze darted to his face, and she saw the determined set of his jaw. “Troy?”

  He held up his hand. “Something’s coming,” he whispered, never taking his eyes off the dancing bush.

  * * *

  Troy kept a wary eye on the wall of leaves, waiting for whatever might leap out. The muscles in his shoulders were coiled tighter than a spring. The foliage was dense enough that he couldn’t even guess what might be rolling around in there, and part of him didn’t want to.

  It would be just my luck if Robyn has her second mountain-lion sighting today. As ridiculous as it was, he thought about Rick’s insistence that she had been planning his downfall. Rick would probably pass out if he heard Troy had gone hiking with Robyn, only to be eaten by a wild animal.

  The moment seemed to drag on into eternity as he stood between her and the unknown entity troubling the bushes.

  Finally, two squirrels darted out of the foliage, one in hot pursuit of the other. As they scurried by and disappeared into the brush on the opposite side of the trail, his tension finally dissipated.

  She laughed “Dang. I thought we were gonna see a fawn or something.”

  He blew out a breath, crossing his arms over his body so he could work some of the knots out of his shoulders. “If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll wait a while before I come hiking with you again.”

  She giggled, starting to move again, and gestured him forward. “Come on. Wait until you see the view at the overlook.”

  They came to a stop at the trailhead. Standing next to her, he draped an arm around her waist as they gazed out over the glassy surface of Heron Lake. The breeze created ripples on the water’s surface, though there were no vessels in sight. In the distance, the shimmering gray of the water seemed to reflect the bluish-gray sky. Around the lake, the pines and other tall trees seemed to stretch on forever.

  “Wow. It’s beautiful up here.”

  “Told ya.”

  He eased her against him. “A sight like this makes me want to...” He curled his finger beneath her chin.

  She smiled as she leaned up for his kiss. After a few humid moments, she pulled back. “Maybe we should eat something before we head back.”

  “That’s probably wise. So, I’m gonna fight off the urge to neck with you like a hormonal teenager.”

  She put her hand to her mouth, but not soon enough to cover her peals of laughter.

  Sitting on the ground, they ate in companionable silence. While he ate his turkey sandwich, chips and banana, she munched on a protein bar, chips and hummus, and a crisp red apple. It wasn’t the most comfortable seat he’d ever been in, but he felt some of his tiredness melt away just the same. By the time they’d each finished eating and drained two bottles of water, he was ready to head back.

  She asked, “We’re going to use the main access to the water, right?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. It’ll be a lot easier to get my craft on the water from there.”

  Returning to the parking lot was easier and faster, since he felt more familiar with the terrain of the trail. While Robyn tucked her backpack into the trunk of her car, he changed out of his boots into a pair of neoprene water shoes.

  “Did you bring water shoes or sandals?”

  She held up a pair of black sandals. “I’m about to put them on. Do you need help getting the canoe down?”

  He nodded. “Thanks.” A short time later, they were walking toward the lake’s edge, each of them carrying an end of the sixteen-foot-long vessel.

  With the canoe settled on the ground near the edge of the lake, they slipped into their life jackets on the shore. Then, he gestured for her to sit down in the forward seat.

  She hesitated, coming to a halt next to the vessel.

  Tilting his head, he observed her. She seemed to be conflicted about whether or not she should get in. Up until now, she’d never given him any indication she was nervous about going out on the water. “Is something wrong?”

  She closed her eyes momentarily, and when she reopened them, she seemed to have recovered from whatever bothered her. “I’m fine.” She slipped into the seat, reaching down to grab the paddle propped against the bow.

  He gave the canoe a strong push, then quickly climbed into the stern seat behind her. He wrapped his hand aro
und the handle of his paddle as the current pulled the canoe out onto the water.

  Once they’d been afloat for a few minutes, he asked, “Doing okay up there?”

  “Yeah.” She glanced over her shoulder, giving him a small smile.

  They rowed out a bit, and he purposefully steered in a way that kept them close to the shore. The cliffs overhead were alive with the echoing sounds of the ospreys nesting on their undersides. Moving them forward until he thought he’d found a good spot, he lifted his paddle out of the water and placed it across his lap. “Let’s just hang out here for a while.”

  She pulled in her paddle, resting it against her. The setting sun cast a yellow-orange glow over the water, making the surface shimmer. The tableau reminded him of the dancing flames of a campfire.

  He heard her sigh. “This is gorgeous.”

  “You said you come here every year to hike. You never come out on the lake?”

  She shook her head, her gaze focused on some faraway point.

  He narrowed his eyes. “I’m confused. Are you afraid? You seem a little...uncomfortable right now.”

  “I’m not afraid of water. I’m a strong swimmer.”

  He waited, sensing she had something more to say.

  “Do you know why I come out here, every year, on the same day?”

  “I haven’t got a clue.”

  She took a deep breath. “It’s my way of remembering someone I loved, of connecting to their spirit by being out in the quiet of nature.”

  He frowned, grateful she couldn’t see his expression at the moment. Who is she talking about? Was it one of the boyfriends she’d been so reluctant to discuss at the coffee shop?

  “I had a younger sister, Troy. Today is her birthday.”

  He felt his mouth fall open. While he was partly relieved that she wasn’t grieving another man, he was also shocked by what she’d said. “A sister? But I’ve known you since middle school, and you’ve never...” He closed his mouth, giving her the opportunity to fill in the numerous blanks.