Page 14 of Forgiving Paris
Jessie froze, then she looked back at Gabe. “A liana… a vine, is that what we’re talking about here?”
Gabe chuckled and nodded toward a grouping of tree vines. “Looks like it.”
Nothing about the directions seemed possible. Grab a vine and a net at the same time? But again, there was no going back. Something her mother once told her came to mind as she steadied herself and stared at the vine.God sets our course, but we have to walk it out.Yes, indeed. “Here goes!”
She lunged for a vine and then threw herself in the other direction. Somehow she had enough momentum to grab hold of the net. Swinging one way then the other she made it to the next tree and a branch even higher off the ground. Instead of looking down, Jessie looked back at Gabe. Again, the wind made the slim platform rock and tilt.
Gabriel let out a Tarzan yell and as he did he easily swung from the vine to the net and back again—mixing it up in a way that could not be called anything but advanced. In seconds he was at her side again. “Mon trésor.”
My treasure.Jessie felt her fear dissipate. How could she be afraid dancing up here in the tops of the trees withhim? If ever there was a time she wanted to kiss him, it was now. But they had to keep moving. Next was the lumberjack’s bridge, a forever-long series of logs with safety cables on either side.
“It’s more fun with the breeze,” Gabriel called from behind her. The makeshift bridge swayed and bounced.
“Oh, sure.” Jessie tightened her grip on the cables that ran along either side of her. “If only I had wings.”
“Comme les oiseaux.”
Like the birds.“Yes.” She steadied herself. “I love when you speak French, Gabe.” She took the smallest step forward. “If I haven’t told you.”
“You have.” He was so close, their bodies almost touching. “And do feel free to pick up the pace.”
She took another step. “Your French distracted me.”
Bit by bit she made her way along the bridge with him right behind her. Next there was a section where they literally walked through the trees. The branch platforms were barely noticeable until she actually felt one with her foot. She was halfway across the treetops when her foot missed a platform and she lost her balance.
Jessie’s hands flew over her head and as her body fell backwards, she screamed.
“I’ve got you!” Gabriel sounded sure.
Before Jessie could drop toward the ground, before her harness had to do its job and stop her from crashing to the earth below, Gabriel had his arms around her. With the strength of three men, he kept his position on his own platform and lifted her back to hers.
She was breathing hard, her knees shaking. “I… I almost…”
“No…” His breath was a whisper against her neck. From his spot behind her, he pulled her close and brushed his cheek alongside hers. “I told you… I’ll never let you fall. Not ever.”
For a few seconds she let her body lean against his. Then she tightened her grip on the cables and stood straight again. With the slightest look back, she smiled at him. “I believe you.”
After nearly an hour in the trees, they reached the end of the course. Jessie could still feel the warmth of his body against hers, his hands around her waist, keeping her from dropping. She would never forget this, even if their time in the trees was over.
But as they moved ahead, Jessie saw she was wrong. This wasn’t actually the end of the course. She looked back at Gabriel. “Are you serious?”
He shrugged, barely containing his grin. “Two adventures in one. It’s your lucky day.”
“What?” She stared ahead again. Up next was a zip line that ran through the trees at least fifty yards. And they seemed practically that high up.Okay, God, I’m going to need Your help on this one.“That’s the way down?”
“It’s fast.” Gabe chuckled. “Did I tell you this course is for ages eleven and up?”
“Eleven and up. Why am I feeling ten all of a sudden?” She reached the platform where a worker was waiting for them.
“Hope you have enjoyed the course.” The man’s accent was thick, but his English was good enough. He sounded like he really meant it. Like he was happiest up here in the trees helping customers.
“Yes.” Jessie nodded. She wondered if she looked as nervous as she felt. “What… what do I do next?”
Gabe patted her back. “He’ll switch your hook from the rope to the zip line.”
“And I’ll close my eyes.” Before she could blink, she was connected to the long, black cable.
“Jump.” The worker smiled at her. “Have a go.”
