Page 37 of Her Ohio Old Flame

She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Real bathrooms? What are you implying, mountain man?”

“I’m implying that you like your creature comforts,” Zane teased, enjoying their banter. “But don’t worry. I’ll bring plenty of bug spray and a comfortable chair so you can relax while I do all the hard work.”

Asha smirked, crossing her arms. “Oh, you think you’re so funny.”

Mr. Williams chuckled from his armchair, shaking his head. “You two sound like an old married couple already.”

Zane glanced at him, warmth spreading in his chest at the older man’s easy acceptance of him being there. “Will you be allright for a couple of days if I take Asha out? I’ll make sure she’s back before your next doctor’s appointment.”

The man waved him off with a dismissive hand. “I’ll be fine. I can drive myself now, and I sure don’t need her holding my hand for every little thing. Go, have fun. You’re young—you should be hanging out with someone your age, not an old man like me.”

Asha tilted her head, her gaze softening as she regarded her father. “Are you sure, Dad? I don’t want you overdoing it.”

“I’m sure.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “Just promise me you’ll actually enjoy yourself and not spend the whole time fretting about me.”

Asha sighed, a mix of exasperation and affection coloring her expression. “Fine, but don’t come calling me when you forget to pick up your prescriptions.”

Zane grinned. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll make sure she unwinds properly. A little nature does wonders for the soul.”

Her father snorted. “Good luck with that, son. She’s always had trouble sitting still, even as a kid.”

Asha rolled her eyes, a laugh escaping her. “Great. Now I’m being ganged up on.”

Zane leaned closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “Better get used to it. We’re not letting you wriggle out of this one.”

She gave him a long look, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. “All right, mountain man. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

Chapter Seventeen

The early morning sun filtered through the dense Appalachian forest canopy, casting dappled shadows on the trail ahead. The crisp scent of pine and damp earth filled the air as Zane and Asha began their hike. Zane’s confident strides crunched over the rocky path, and she stuck close to him, her breathing steady, though her legs were already protesting the steep incline.

They’d packed light—only a backpack with water bottles, trail mix, and their fishing gear for later. Zane had insisted on bringing a sturdy walking stick for Asha, teasing her about her “big-city legs,” which she’d accepted with an eye roll and a huge grin.

“This trail’s one of my favorites,” Zane said, glancing back at her. His voice was warm, and the sunlines beside his eyes crinkled with his pleasure. “It’s got a little bit of everything—views, wildlife, and a creek for fishing. And at the end, there’s a nice rental cabin I’ve booked for the night.”

Asha nodded. She had to admit, the woods were gorgeous, and the temperature here was much cooler than in town, where the days had been sweltering. She took in the moss-covered rocks and the gnarled tree roots crisscrossing the path andappreciated the trail’s beauty, but her mind kept drifting back to Maddy’s words.

“If he did this to you, he could do it to someone else—or worse, he might already have.”

The thought twisted her stomach, but she shoved it aside. Today was supposed to be about relaxing and being with Zane.Or should I talk with him?

The trail narrowed, forcing them to walk single file. A faint rustling caught Asha’s attention, and she paused. Trying to find the source, she peered into the trees.

“Look at that,” Zane whispered, pointing at the underbrush.

A deer emerged cautiously, its ears twitching as it surveyed the trail.

Asha’s breath caught at the sight of the graceful animal. For a moment, the weight in her chest eased, replaced by simple wonder. After a few tentative steps, the deer bounded away, leaping up the trail and disappearing into the forest with a flick of its white tail.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Zane said, glancing back at her.

She nodded, and a smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah. It is.”

They pressed on, the path leading them to a ridge with a breathtaking view of the valley below. Zane handed her a water bottle, and they sat on a smooth rock, letting the silence stretch between them. Asha snuggled into his side, and when he curled his long arm around her shoulders, she let him carry her weight for a moment.

Maybe he will be willing to carry my burden, too.

She opened her mouth, the words hovering on the tip of her tongue—Zane, I…but the words dried up in her throat as a shadow fell over them.

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