Page 163 of The Lineman

I kind of loved it.

By the time we got back to the cabin, the morning had stretched into early afternoon, and the sun was bright in the sky.

Mike stretched, groaning. “I don’t want to just sit around all day.”

I raised my brows. “Getting restless?”

He nudged me. “A little. Let’s go for a walk.”

I blinked. “You want to go hiking?”

Mike laughed. “Not, like, a full-blown hike. Just a walk. Something leisurely.”

I considered it.

I did like the idea of being outside, of walking through the mountains with Mike at my side, the world quiet and peaceful around us.

And then—

Homer exploded from the back door, tail wagging violently, eyes wild with anticipation.

I barely had time to react before he took off, bolting through the trees at top speed.

Mike groaned. “Well. I guess Homer’s coming, too.”

I chuckled. “All right. Let’s do it.”

The trail was barely visible, winding through the trees like a forgotten path only nature knew how to find. Homer vanished, darting in and out of the underbrush like he was on a mission.

Mike laughed as we watched him disappear between the trees. “I swear to God, he’s going to find a bear and try to fight it.”

I smirked. “I’d put money on the bear running first.”

Mike shook his head. “Our dog is insane.”

I glanced at him. “Ourdog?”

Mike hesitated—then shrugged. “Yeah. Our dog.”

I nearly stumbled on a root. Mike caught me.

Of course, he did.

I reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers as we walked.

Mike looked down at our joined hands and smiled softly.

We didn’t say anything for a while, just let the woods stretch around us, the quiet pressing in—well, the quiet that existed when Homer wasn’t barking or whining or panting or whatever else he did like a crazed lunatic on crack.

The trail was soft beneath our feet, the scent of pine thick in the air. A breeze rustled through the trees, and somewhere in the distance, I could hear the faint trickle of a stream.

Mike exhaled, squeezing my hand. “I like this.”

I looked at him. “Yeah?”

He nodded, his thumb brushing against my skin. “Just us. Out here. Together.”

I swallowed past the tightness in my throat, my grip squeezing slightly.

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