Page 39 of Clumsy in Love

“We take turns hiking up to the falls,” she said. “I’m not asking for special treatment ’cause you’re here.”

“You think I can’t hike a few miles?” he said. “Just because I live in the city doesn’t mean I’m incapable of a walk in the woods.”

“Actually, it’s barely a mile,” Holly said. “Great-grandmas and little kids do it, so I’m sure you’ll be fine. How do your feet feel? Do you need moleskin?”

Cole had no idea what moleskin was or what it had to do with his feet. On the off chance it was literally putting the skin of a mole on his body, which sounded disgusting, he passed. “I’m fine.”

“I wish we had more time for you to break in those boots.”

“I’mfine,” he repeated.

“Suit yourself.”

They got out, and Holly radioed that they were hiking the trail to the falls.

“So, what’s the purpose of this?” Cole asked as they started up the well-beaten path.

“A lot of people visit the park just for the falls. We like to have a presence. You know, to answer questions and help if needed.We also check the trail for maintenance issues and signs of animals that shouldn’t be here.”

“How do you do that?”

“Look for poop.”

“You live in a different world than I do,” Cole muttered.

“Hey, check it out.” Holly had veered off the trail a few feet to investigate something and returned with a closed fist. She opened her hand to reveal a small rock. “Look what I found.”

“A pointed rock?” He failed to see the big deal.

“It’s an arrowhead. Some say they bring good luck. Here, you take it,” she said, holding it out to him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She thought he needed luck to hack it in the woods?

“Nothing. I’m trying to be nice.” She plopped a fist on her hip. “Give you a gift.”

“Oh.” He reached for the rock, and she laid it in his hand. Upon further examination, it did look pretty cool. And if it brought luck, all the better. He put it in one of his many pockets. “Thanks.”

By the time they got to the falls and were halfway back down the trail, they’d been stopped by several groups of hikers with questions. Could they eat a certain type of berry? Where was the best place to see an eagle? What kind of fish lived in the river?

Holly answered patiently, even though she probably heard the same inquires a thousand times a day. She was professional and knowledgeable, and he actually learned a few things on the way up. She wrapped a sprained ankle, put a Band-Aid on someone’s scratch, and gave moleskin—a tan patch of something fuzzy—to a man complaining of blisters.

“Is that really skin from a mole?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “How are your feet? Any rubbing or pain anywhere?”

“Why are you so obsessed with my feet? You one of those foot fetish weirdos?”

She rolled her eyes. “Those are brand new boots. Breaking them in will take some time, which we don’t have. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with blisters.”

“I’m fine,” he huffed. Something rustled off to their left. “What was that?”

She stopped and listened, so he did too. A faint whimpering noise came from the sticker bushes that lined the trail.

“Oh, please don’t be what I think this is,” Holly said, and Cole immediately tensed. If Holly didn’t want to deal with it, it must be bad. The rustling came closer, and just as Cole was about to draw his weapon and prepare for battle, a small black ball of fur popped out of the bramble.

It was a bear cub. Cole jumped back. “Um. You know I don’t know anything about bears, but I have heard the term ‘momma bear.’ Should we panic?”

“Actually, yes,” Holly said. “Don’t go near it.”

---