“Hey, I bitched once when I got a cramp in my calf. I don’t work out for a living like you do.” Their husky friend huffed out a long breath. “Maybe I’ll hang back and wait for the others. I could use a break.”
“I’ll wait with you.” Camille squeezed Rosa’s arm as she stepped around her. “You can hike with Jake, hon, since he’s on a mission to set a land speed record.”
Jake turned his face up to the breeze. “Whatever you all want is fine with me.”
Levi waved a hand. “If you’ve sorted yourselves out, Raine and I are ready to go. We’ll see you at the top of the falls.”
Matt simply nodded and pulled out his phone, while Camille unbuckled her pack and lowered it to the ground. With Rosa and Jake following, Levi fell in behind Raine as she led the way up the trail.
“After today, I’m sure the group will settle into a more comfortable rhythm.” She turned to glance over her shoulder. “It’s been a long time since we all hiked together.”
“Matt would manage better if he got off his damn phone and focused on his surroundings.” Rosa’s tone was irritated. “Apparently, he didn’t take a break from his law office for this trip. Listening to his side of the conversation, I gathered one of his clients isn’t very happy.”
“That’s too bad.” Levi checked his footing on a rough section of the trail. “If you’re going to hike in Yosemite, you should take the time to actually enjoy it.”
“No kidding.” Jake spoke up from the rear. “Savor the moment. This view is priceless.”
“It sure beats working out in a gym, even if that is how I make a living.” Rosa sounded more cheerful. “It’s great to get away from the Bay Area for a change. I’m glad you set this trip up, Raine.”
Levi reached forward to squeeze her arm. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Her laughter swirled on the faint breeze. “Let’s hope you’re all still thanking me when this is over.”
The conversation lagged as they hiked up the long series of final switchbacks before entering the trees near the top of the Yosemite Falls. Finding a spot on a granite slab away from the other early hikers, they dropped their packs and pulled out snacks to wait for the rest of their group.
Rosa stretched out and crossed her ankles. “This was a cool idea. It’s been nice catching up with everyone. Not that I don’t see a few of the others pretty frequently.”
Raine wrapped her arms around her updrawn knees. “Oh, yeah? Who?”
“Camille and I are still good friends and have stayed in touch. Bobby B and Cooper both use the gym in Berkeley where I work. His financial planning service is located nearby. They hang out once in a while, although I don’t know why. Bobby is great, and Cooper . . .”
“Is still a jerk?” Raine grinned. “I was a fool to fall for him back in the day. Thank God I’m a whole lot smarter now.”
“We all are. Except for Ava,” Rosa smirked. She glanced over at Levi. “What about you?”
“I never had a thing for Cooper, so I didn’t have to wise up.”
They all burst out laughing just as Cooper and Ava appeared through the trees.
“What’s so funny?” he called.
“Just making fun of you, bro.”
Cooper shook his head and flashed a perfect smile. “Always the comedian, Levi.” He dropped down onto a rock near Raine.
She scooted closer to Levi and addressed the blonde. “How was the hike, Ava?”
“I made it up here.” She was still breathing hard, and sweat glistened on her bare arms. “You sure can’t beat the views.”
“They’re spectacular.” Jake pushed to his feet. “I think I’ll check out the falls. I’ll be back shortly.”
Raine scrambled up off the granite. “I’ll go with you.”
As the two disappeared down the trail, Cooper narrowed his eyes and stared after them. “I thought this hike would be a whole lot more interesting than it’s been so far.”
Levi gave him a level look. “I guess you can bail and head back down to the valley if you aren’t having fun.”
“No, I stick to my commitments, and we’re here for a good cause. Anyway, getting out of town seemed like a good idea.”
Levi didn’t bother to ask what the hell he was talking about and sighed in relief when Bobby B and Willow strolled out of the trees. “What took you guys so long?”
“A half-mile into the hike, I realized I left my Nikon in the car.” Bobby grimaced. “Not too bright since I promised my producer an on-air report, complete with quality photos and video. Willow was kind enough to keep me company while I went back for it.”
“No big deal.” Willow flipped her long, brown braid over her shoulder. “We caught up to Matt and Camille and passed them. They should be along shortly.”
Levi pushed up off the rock. “In that case, I think I’ll head over to the top of the falls. Anyone want to come with me?”
“I’d love to.” Willow joined him, and they followed the faint roar of rushing water toward the river. “There’re Jake and Raine.” She pointed.
He nodded, skirting around parents holding tightly to a pair of young boys, and an older couple with walking sticks, to come up behind their friends. He laid a hand on Raine’s shoulder and stared down at the fast-flowing river crashing over the cliff’s edge.
She glanced up and smiled. “All that force is awe-inspiring.”
He nodded, his gaze lingering on her animated face. “Beautiful and powerful.”
Leaning back against him for a moment, she turned toward the view of Half Dome across the valley. “I’m glad you’re all here with me. My best memories of this place include our backpacking trips together.”
“Those were definitely great times.” His grip on her shoulder tightened. “But I prefer to focus on the future. Maybe this trip will be the beginning of something even better.”
* * * *
For the second night in a row, Raine woke to the sound of voices. One female, high and angry, though not distinct enough to make out words. The second was only a low murmur. She couldn’t be sure who was doing the arguing but guessed it was Ava. Probably fighting with Cooper.
Lying in the snug cocoon of her sleeping bag, she tried to recapture the tantalizing dream she’d been having. But all she could remember was standing on the edge of a cliff in the starlight, holding hands with . . .
“Shut the hell up.”
The growl came from somewhere nearby, and the other voices instantly quieted.
Raine grinned, certain Levi had barked that order. Obviously, she wasn’t the only one who’d been awakened by the argument. And as she closed her eyes in the ensuing silence, she had a sneaking suspicion it had also been Levi holding her hand in the dream . . .
The first hint of light awakened her as morning dawned. Other than the raucous chirping of birds, their camp was silent. Sticking her arm out of the sleeping bag, she shivered in the chilly morning air and debated getting up. The zip of a tent door opening convinced her to brave the cold. After pulling on sweatpants, her hiking boots, and a down jacket, she crawled outside.
Levi glanced up from where he was arranging sticks to build a fire and smiled. “Morning.” He kept his voice low.
“Good morning. I’ll go get some water. I need coffee.” She grabbed two pots from the pile of dishes.
“Thanks. The fire should be going by the time you get back.”
After taking a minute to pee behind a bush a short distance from camp, she crossed the rocks to the edge of Snow Creek and bent to wash in the freezing current. Shivering, she scooped up water to carry back to camp.
Bobby B and Camille stood at the edge of the thickly wooded terrain, deep in conversation. When Raine passed them, the ballplayer broke off and waved. “Morning.”
“You two are up early.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” Camille yawned and rubbed the back of her neck. “I forgot how hard the ground is when you only have a thin pad for protection.”
“It takes some getting
used to.” Raine raised one of the pots. “I intend to make coffee. That should help clear away some of the mental cobwebs.”
“Better make two pots.” Bobby followed her back into camp. “I’ll go get more water.”
Breakfast and packing up was organized chaos, but they hit the trail before the sun had risen much above the horizon. Somehow, Raine found herself at the back of the group, walking with Cooper, and wondered how the hell that had happened. He kept slowing his pace until Ava and Matt disappeared in front of them.
“At this rate, we won’t make our target lunch spot before dinner.”
He turned to face her with the seductive smile he liked to bestow on women. “I’d rather just hang out with you. I hear you’re single, have been for a while. I could—”
“Don’t even say it.” Looking into his eyes, she didn’t feel even a flutter of the old attraction.
“Why not? Ava and I aren’t exclusive. I can do as I please, and we had some good times together. Our chemistry was damn near combustible.” He let his gaze drift downward. “I bet it still is.”
“Don’t be an ass, Cooper. If you have so little respect for Ava, why don’t you cut her loose so she can move on.”
He shrugged. “She’s a big girl and knows the score.”
“Somehow, I doubt it. You were always good at hiding your true motives.” When she tried to move past him, he blocked her path, and they both stopped. Narrowing her eyes, she stared him down. “Why did you even come on this hike? And don’t give me any crap about your charitable nature.”
His lips curled into a hint of a smile. “You know me so well. Actually, I need to soothe a few ruffled feathers, and I thought this might be a good way to do it.”
“Are you talking about Ava? Because this doesn’t seem like the way to accomplish your goal.”
“Nothing you need to worry about, Rainey.” He stepped out of the way and gestured with one hand. “By all means, go ahead. I’m sure you’d rather hang out with Levi. Is he the one keeping your sleeping bag warm at night?”
“God, you’re a jerk.” She brushed past him.
“Or maybe he just wishes he was. I know he was jealous of what we had back in college.”
She didn’t bother to respond. As she rounded a rock outcropping, she put on a burst of speed to put some distance between them. Some of her frustration and anger eased when she caught sight of Levi heading her way.
He stopped to wait for her. “I wondered what happened to you. Everything okay?”
She gave a curt nod. “Yep.”
His gaze shot past her as Cooper approached. “Ava isn’t far ahead if you want to catch up to her.”
Levi’s tone was even, but Raine sensed a simmering antagonism beneath the surface.
“I’ll do that.” With a nonchalant salute, Cooper strolled away.
“Was he always such an idiot?” She let out a long, calming breath.
“Actually, no. In college, he was witty and amusing, with just a hint of a mean streak. I’d say life has jaded the man . . . to his detriment.”
“You’re very observant.” She pushed loose strands of hair behind her ear. “Maybe I can be excused for not seeing through him back then.”
He squeezed her arm. “You were young and naïve, and all the girls had a crush on him—well, except for Willow, who is way too down to earth. Jake and I could never figure out the attraction.”
“Willow is obviously a lot smarter than the rest of us.”
With a gentle finger, he touched a stray lock that stuck to her cheek. “You’ve gained perspective and wisdom over the last decade.” A grin lit up his face. “There may be hope for you yet.”
Chapter Three
Cooper was getting on his nerves. If the man didn’t take a step back from Raine, Levi was going to punch him. Before he could rise from the rock where he was sitting near the campfire, Bobby B strolled over to interrupt Raine and Cooper’s tense conversation. At least it appeared to be tense since her fists were clenched at her sides. After a few moments, the two men headed away from the tents set up along the shore of the lake, leaving Raine alone.
The rest of the group was fairly subdued, no doubt exhausted from the day’s long trek. They’d hiked seventeen miles over rugged terrain, gaining thousands of feet in elevation. Patches of snow had covered the trail in shady areas, making conditions slippery and hazardous. He’d honestly been surprised no one had dropped out when they’d reached Tenaya Lake where the nearby highway led back to civilization. But everyone had pressed on the additional three plus miles to their campsite for the night at Sunrise Lakes.
When Raine walked out to a vantage point above the lake and sat down to watch the moonrise, Levi followed her.
“Want some company?”
She smiled and patted the rock next to her. “Sure.”
“Beautiful night.”
“Yes, it is.”
Her simple response touched him, and he reached over to clasp her hand. She threaded her fingers through his, and they sat without talking as the moon rose higher above the granite rocks, glistening on the still surface of one of the other lakes just visible in the distance.
Soon afterward, darkness settled over the landscape, leaving only the moon and emerging stars for illumination, along with the glow from the campfire behind them. Breaking the silence, the pure notes of a flute drifted on the air.
“Willow.” Raine’s voice wasn’t much above a whisper as the music faded. “Exquisite. I remember you used to play the guitar on our camping trips.”
“A flute is a whole lot easier to take backpacking.”
She turned to face him. “And you sang. You were good.”
“I’m decent at best. Sometimes I play to entertain our guests at the lodge.”
“A man of many talents. I really should take you up on that invitation to visit next winter. Maybe sooner.”
He squeezed her hand. “Good.” Staring into her eyes, he bent closer until her breath caressed his face, coming a little faster than it had moments before. Heavy lids began to drift closed . . .
The scuff of boots nearby jerked them apart moments before their lips would have touched. He turned, his brows drawing together in irritation to stare into the shadows.
“Hope we aren’t interrupting anything.” Ava’s voice held a hint of satisfaction. “Cooper wanted to check out the view.”
Apparently, the man had returned from his conversation with Bobby B, but he certainly didn’t look either happy or relaxed. In the light of the moon, his lips were drawn together in a tight line, and he kicked a rock to send it clattering into the darkness.
“Actually, we were about ready to head down to the fire to warm up. At this elevation, it gets cold fast after the sun sets.” Raine released his hand and rose to her feet.
“The view’s all yours.” Levi stood and followed her down the rocky slope to the lake’s edge.
“Maybe that interruption was for the best.” She paused in the dark before reaching the group sitting around the campfire where Willow was once again playing her flute.
He was silent for a moment as the clear notes drifted on the air. Finally, he spoke his mind. “You didn’t want me to kiss you?”
“Oh, I wanted you to.” She touched his cheek, a butterfly soft caress, before stepping farther away. “But kisses lead to . . . other things, and that could get awkward in a situation like this.”
At her breathy response, heat pooled low and intense. “Why? We’re both adults.”
She dropped her gaze. “I don’t want to ruin an old and valued friendship by acting impulsively, influenced by moonlight and proximity. After this trip, if we still want to . . .” She hesitated before continuing. “If we want to explore our options once we’re back in the real world, we can see where this leads.”
He pressed closer and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’m cool with that. Yes, we knew each other pretty well when we were practically still kids, but we’ve both changed since then. I want to
get to know Raine the adult much better. No need to rush anything.” When she tipped her head to look him in the eyes, he smiled. “By the way, I wasn’t planning to drag you back to my tent after one kiss.”
“Maybe not, but I was thinking about dragging you to mine. Cooper irritated me earlier, and I needed to blow off a little steam with a nice guy who I find pretty darn hot.”
He swallowed and nearly choked. “Damn.”
She pressed her face against his chest for a moment. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, even if it’s true.”
He chuckled softly. “All I want from you is the truth, even if it will keep me up tonight. Maybe I should take a swim in the frigid lake before bed.”
She pulled back and grinned. “You’d have hypothermia in a matter of seconds.” Slowly, her smile faded along with the music. “You’re definitely a good guy, Levi.”
“Too bad good guys usually sleep alone. Story of my life.”
“I sincerely doubt that.” Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sleep well, Raine.”
Long after she’d disappeared into her tent and most of the others had also retired for the night, he stood at the lake’s edge, staring into its depths. He couldn’t help wondering if she was right about the moonlight and proximity contributing to an attraction that seemed to be growing exponentially each day. But he didn’t think so. He genuinely liked Raine. Always had.
But he was far more interested in the mature woman she was now than the carefree girl she’d been in college. In hindsight, neither of them had been ready for a serious commitment at the time. Better that she’d turned him down all those years ago and probably saved them both a lot of heartache.
“Yeah, right.” Levi bent to pick up a thin rock and skipped it across the water’s surface, remembering his misery when she’d started dating Cooper. But he’d gotten over it. Eventually.
Though he should have been tired after a long day of hiking, he was still too keyed up to sleep. Instead, he zipped up his jacket, stuffed his hands in his pockets to ward off the cold, and strolled back up to the rock where he’d sat with Raine earlier. The moon rode high in the night sky, and the peacefulness and beauty of the universe eased away his cares. He settled down, leaned against a bolder, and closed his eyes . . .
Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1) Page 3
