by C.M. Owens
“I absolutely believe that. So anyway…what’s next?”
“How about some lions and tigers and bears?” he joked. “And…wolves?”
“Sorry, but I’ll pass on the wolves,” I said, clutching my heart.
“Bad memories, eh?”
I let out a breath. “Yeah.”
“I’m so sorry about all of that.”
I bit my lip. “You know what? Let’s not drudge up old memories. I really don’t wanna talk about it.”
“I agree. Let’s let bygones be bygones and just…start over.”
“I think we deserve a clean slate.”
All of the sudden, the door opened, and in walked a short redhead with her hair tied back in a ponytail. “Hey, Jesse,” she said, “there’s a guided tour waiting for you.”
He looked at me, then back at her. “Taylor, this is Jeanie, my best friend in Big Bear Lake. We’ve been through a lot, and I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’ll show you the ropes while I’m gone. See ya later,” he said and walked out the door.
I grinned. “See ya.” As soon as he stepped out of the door, I turned my attention to Jeanie. She had natural red hair and beautiful blue eyes, though not nearly as beautiful as his, for it would have been impossible for anyone to replicate those gems. I sighed when I realized his best friend in the world also had the perfect figure, with not an ounce of fat on her.
“So…how’s your first day treating you, Taylor?” she asked, making it obvious that someone had already told her my name.
“Great.”
Getting straight to the point, she blurted, “I saw the way your eyes sparkled at Jesse before he left.”
I arched a brow but said nothing.
She continued, “It’s best to stay away from him.”
I couldn’t believe she was marking her territory already. “And why’s that?”
“He’s a player, that’s why. Jesse has dated half the girls in this town.”
“Isn’t that what dating is all about, trying to find the right person? I mean, I’ve dated lots of guys, and—”
She shrugged. “Fine, honey. It’s your heart that’ll get broken, not mine.”
I wasn’t sure what to stay. I wanted to tell her to butt out because it was my chance to take, but instead, I just kept my mouth shut.
She shot me a serious look. “Look, Jesse’s a great friend to have, but if you step out of the friend zone, it will go all to hell. Trust me. I know firsthand.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, assuming she was just jealous.
At that moment, our almost-heated conversation was stopped when our boss, Ms. Aikers, walked in and met Jeanie’s gaze. “I need you to check all the enclosures and make sure every animal is in its place.”
“What’s up?” Jeanie asked.
“Somebody was attacked and killed by an animal. The sheriff is out front. We have to make sure none of our animals have escaped, especially the bears. This is top priority, and I’m putting every employee on top of it.”
“Oh my gosh! Who was killed?” she asked.
“A tourist, hiking in the woods.”
“That’s gonna be front-page news,” she said. “The media is gonna swarm this place if it’s got anything to do with us.”
“I know,” Ms. Aikers said, looking at both of us with a worried expression on her face. “Let’s just hope none of our animals got out.” With that, she stormed out of the room.
At that very moment, the wolves crossed my mind, and I feared that the same group of brave, possibly rabies-infected canines had devoured someone. “I ran into a pack of wolves in the forest that weren’t acting…natural,” I chimed in.
“Really?” Mr. Aikers said.
“Yes. They stalked me and my friends and—“
Jeanie laughed. “That’s ridiculous,” she said, and before I could say another word, she bolted out the door, with me hot on her heels.
We checked every pen in the zoo and were relieved to find that all of the zoo animals were present and accounted for. Still, it didn’t make me feel much better. Somewhere in those woods, someone had been killed, and I was sure those wolves had something to do with it.
Chapter 9
When Jesse’s number showed up on my caller ID, I quickly answered.
“Taylor?” he said.
His voice sent shivers down my spine; hearing him say my name was an adrenaline rush like none I’d ever felt before.
“Yes, this is me,” I said.
“What are you doing on your day off tomorrow?” he asked.
“I don’t have any big plans. Why?”
“Do you like to rollerblade?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. I was wondering if you’d like to meet at the Alpine Pedal Path. It’s a paved path that runs along the north shore of Big Bear Lake.”
“I’ll be there!”
“Great!”
“Do you mind if I bring Max?”
“Sure. Is two p.m. all right?”
“Perfect,” I said.
“Goodbye, Taylor.”
“Goodbye,” I said, and he hung up the phone.
* * *
I thought Friday would never come, but it finally did. I dug through my boxes but couldn’t find the outfit I wanted. When I finally found my spring pastels, I threw on a white tank-top with a mint trim and a big mint and silver heart, and I had pants to match. I finished the summery look off with a cute white pair of sandals, but then I realized tennis shoes would be better for the occasion, so I slipped my bright white ones on. I took one last glance in the mirror and smoothed out my eye shadow. I wanted my makeup to look natural and not caked on since we’d be outside in daylight.
My heart leapt in my chest when Max and I pulled into the parking lot of the Alpine Pedal Path and I saw Jesse standing there. Again, I took in his chiseled features, and he looked so handsome and cute in his rollerblades and helmet that I simply had to rush out of the car with my dog to greet him. “C’mon, Max,” I said, “and you better be a good boy today.”
Jesse waved me over, and we hurried right up to him. Unfortunately, while I was breathlessly gazing into Jesse’s winter-blue eyes, my dog was not so happy to see him and wouldn’t stop barking.
“It’s okay, Max,” Jesse said.
To my surprise, the dog calmed down immediately and sat down next to me, still as a statue except for his wagging tail.
“Hi, Jesse,” I said, overcome by that feeling in the pit of my stomach, as if I’d swallowed a hornet’s nest. We’d had a few simple conversations on the phone and via text outside of work, but this was our first official date, and I hoped we wouldn’t be encumbered by too many awkward silences and uncomfortable moments.
“You’re early,” he said, smiling.
I held on to the leash in my hands. “I sooner be dead than late,” I said.
He reached for the leash, and I sat on the bench to put my rollerblade equipment on. As I adjusted my red helmet, I smiled. “Okay. I’m ready.”
He grinned. “Great.”
With Max’s leash tightly in my grasp, we started to skate down the mountain trail. It wound through a pine forest and meadows. Birds flitted overhead, and lizards sunned themselves on big granite rocks, absorbing the heat and all that Vitamin D. Max absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop smelling every little thing as we strolled by. It was such a nice change to breathe that fresh, clean mountain air after living in the smoggy city. In fact, it was like being in a completely different world.
“So…on the phone you said you wanted to talk to me about something in person,” Jesse said.
“Yeah. I just need to get something off my chest. I know I told you I don’t want to talk about that night, but I kinda need to.”
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“I feel like it was my fault that you got shot,” I said, almost tearing up from the guilt I’d been harboring.
“Why would you even think that?”
“If yo
u hadn’t had to drive us home, it would have never happened.”
“Don’t even say that. You and Julie might have died, because neither one of you was in a position to drive safely.”
“I can’t believe that Jonathon guy was so high on drugs that he actually shot you. It’s just…crazy. How well do you know him?”
“He’s, uh…an acquaintance.”
“Well, I hope he gets his act together before he really hurts or kills somebody.”
“It’ll be taken care of,” he said, sounding like some godfather in a mobster movie. “In the meantime, thanks for keeping quiet.”
“I still don’t get why those wolves acted the way they did. Do you think they’re responsible for the attacks on tourists and hikers?”
“Maybe. A lot of weird things have been happening around here.”
“Yeah. Well, it’s over and done with, like a bad dream, and I just want to forget about it. I should’ve never let Julie take me to that party in the first place. I’ve definitely learned my lesson.”
He smiled as if he was glad to hear it.
“Let’s get off this lame subject about drugged-out crazies and infected wolves.”
“Right,” he agreed. “I’d love to know more about you,” he said. “Do you like to bike or play any sports? Collect stamps? Dance around to seventies disco music singing into a hairbrush when you’re bored?” he said with a grin, as if imagining it.
I laughed, envisioning it too. “I’m not really into philately, but I love to sketch designs. I have hundreds of virtual and hand-drawn designs, and I hope to go into fashion someday—maybe with my own clothing line or label.”
“You’re very creative.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before, but the truth is, ideas can come at anytime. If I’m sitting at a restaurant and one hits me, I’ll sketch it out on a napkin.”
“I guess it’s best to get your idea down while it’s still fresh in your head.”
“Lots of fashion schools require a portfolio, so I’ve been trying to get one together.”
“Isn’t that hard?”
“Not really. Like I said, I have hundreds of ideas for clothes, accessories, and shoes.”
“Taylor, I know I haven’t known you that long, but I’m pretty sure you can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Thanks. When we moved here, I thought I’d have to give up my future career. I mean, when it comes to fashion, Big Bear Lake’s not exactly the center of fashion. Still, I’m learning to adjust and taking inspiration from the gorgeous natural surroundings and the wonderful people I’ve met here.”
“It must be nice to get away from all those beeping taxis, all the hustle and bustle. It’s so peaceful here. Besides, if you come up with your own label or line, you could just run a business online. We country folk have that there Interwebs too, ya know,” he said, smiling.
I laughed. “Right. Maybe I’ll start a huge Internet empire, a dot.com—or maybe I’ll just become a painter instead.”
“You paint too? Wow. Quite the artist, aren’t you?”
A smile curled up on my lips. “Drawing and painting have been hobbies of mine since I was a little girl. If the fashion thing bombs, I can always turn to one of those. With all the inspiration around here, all these beautiful landscapes and animals, I’m sure I’d have never-ending paintings to sell.”
“Right. You can stay in Big Bear Lake and become an artist.”
“I’d love to. I gotta admit, I’m falling in love with this place more and more every day,” I said, though I knew the guy rollerblading next to me had much to do with that. “It sure is beautiful and peaceful out here.”
“Your dog thinks so too,” he said, nodding toward Max, who looked to be having the time of his life.
I laughed. “He loves it out here. How long have you lived here?” I asked.
“I was born here, and there’s no way my mom would ever leave.”
“And your dad? I mean…if you don’t mind my asking,” I said, realizing it was a touchy subject for some people.
“He left before I was born,” he said.
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
“We’ve all gotten along without him,” he said.
“Is there someone besides you and your mom?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a brother and a sister.”
“Who is the oldest?” I asked.
“No one really.”
“Huh?” I asked, confused.”
He laughed. “We’re triplets, all seventeen. Technically, Sam is the oldest, then Kierra, then me.”
“What’s it like growing up as one-third of a set of triplets?”
“We’re pretty close, and my brother and sister are awesome, even if they can be annoying sometimes. Kierra is really bossy at times, and I swear Sam lives to embarrass me.”
I laughed. “Yeah, siblings can be like that.”
“Oh? I thought you were an only child.”
“No. I have two brothers and one sister, but they’re all grown and are out on their own. I’m the baby, the last one to leave the nest.”
“Another thing we have in common. We’re both the youngest.”
I laughed. “I guess so!”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get out there and tackle the world head on. I dream of traveling around the globe. I’ve been stuck here my whole life, and now that I’m almost eighteen, I want to see what lies beyond Big Bear Lake.”
“Any particular places you want to visit?”
“So many!”
“Name one.”
He started gliding, skating backward so he could face me while he talked. “I want to surf in Teahupoo, Tahiti. There are these unbelievable swells that roll over a shallow coral reef. I’ve read and heard that catching a wave is just like flying. Most people who see waves as tall as Mount Everest would run in the other direction but not me. I’d love to ride them.”
“I had no idea you’re so adventurous. What are some other things you’d love to do?”
His eyes lit up, as if he’d been waiting for someone to ask him that for years. “I also want to heli-ski down the Chugach Range in Alaska.”
When Max spent too much time sniffing a flower, I gave him a gentle tug. “Helicopter ski?” I asked.
“Yeah. You ski down this huge mountain, and if you wipe out, you cartwheel. It’s like falling in space, except you reconnect with the snow every fifty feet or so. I also want to paraglide over the Grand Tetons and swim with sharks in Florida, without a cage, of course.”
“Maybe you could wrestle a gator in the Everglades,” I said.
“Yeah! I’ll definitely add that to my list. I’d love to drive crazy speeds across frozen lakes in Arjeplog, Sweden and do a ninety-MPH donut!”
“Wow. Those are some risky goals you’ve got there, but they sound like a blast.”
“There are some places in California I’d like to check out too, like Laguna Beach, for body-surfing, body-boarding, diving, and tide-pooling.”
“A thrill-seeker, huh?”
He grinned. “That I am.”
I pointed to his tattoo, solid black, with curves that ended in points and interlocked in complex patterns and abstract designs. “Tell me more about that. I noticed it the first day at work, but I was too embarrassed to ask.”
He lifted his short sleeve. “Oh. Well, this is the symbol of strength, power and bravery.” He pointed to the swirls in his design. “These represent the past, present, and future.”
I pointed to the ankh in his design. “I recognize this one. I have a cross like it.”
“Cool. I thought long and hard before I settled on this design. It has a lot of symbolism in it. If I was going to have something on my arm forever, I wanted it to mean something.”
“So every single line and shape has meaning?”
“Yes. I wanted something special and unique to me.”
I traced the lines on his arm. “I love it. When did you get it done?”
“
Last year.”
“It’s really cool, Jesse.”
“Thanks.”
“Tell me, is Big Bear Lake this pretty in the winter?”
“Believe it or not, it’s even more incredible. The skiing is amazing.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never skied before.”
“You will…and I will teach you. You’ll be off the bunny hill in no time.”
I was taken aback that he was talking as if we might actually have a future as friends or even something more. “Wow. I never thought I’d have such a handsome ski instructor—or any ski instructor, for that matter.”
We gradually picked up the pace, taking long, smooth strides, then cruised effortlessly down the trail. I enjoyed the thrill and speed, and I was glad Max’s four furry legs enabled him to keep up with my eight wheels. I glanced up briefly and caught sight of an eagle flying majestically overhead, only to be followed by a pelican a few minutes later. The lake was amazing, and it looked like an oil painting with the beautiful mountains for a backdrop. Max barked at the wildlife on the lake, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw a mama duck with all her little chicks paddling along behind her.
When we stopped skating for a moment to take in all the panoramic beauty, I turned to meet Jesse’s gaze. His thumb brushed across my skin, sending ripples of excitement through me where he’d touched. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, and in that moment, I truly imagined what it would be like to kiss him, to be held lovingly in those strong arms of his. I could tell by the longing in his sky-blue eyes that he was looking for a sign that I wanted more, and that made the moment all the more thrilling. He cradled my hand ever so gently in his as our eyes locked. I was fixated on his piecing stare; even the sky behind him paled in comparison to the glory of his gaze, and the heat from his hand felt like a thousand suns. I could have sworn my heart almost stopped.
His gaze sizzled with challenge, as if he was just daring me to go ahead and kiss him. I desperately wanted to, as red-hot flames of arousal burned through me like a raging forest fire. How can I resist such temptation? How could any girl resist him? I thought. But then I tore my gaze away and stared at the water trying desperately to regain my composure. Everything was silent other than the blood gushing through my temples from the excited and hopeful beat of my heart. I wondered what he would do if I got up and pulled him into my loving arms and engaged him in a deep kiss.
However, it was our first date, and I didn’t want him to think poorly of me in any way. As badly as I wanted to kiss him right then and there, in that place that looked like a postcard, I knew it was better to wait. I wanted to be different than the girls he’d met before, and I wanted him to see that I was.
