Page 37 of Ember Meadow
“Hey, that was a million years ago,” Morgan shoots back, her brown curls bouncing as she talks. “I haven’t seen Parker in so long.”
“You have a crush onParker?” The words come tumbling out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them.
“Yeah, have you met him?”
“Actually, yes. A few times. The Autry’s invite me over for dinner every Sunday and he’s usually there.”
“You have dinner with the Autry’s?” Nicole, who hasn’t spoken more than a quick ‘hello’ since she arrived, gasps, eyes wide.
“Yeah, every Sunday. I’m staying in their guest cabin. It’s been pretty fun.” I shrug. I didn’t realize how small of a town this is. Everyone seems to know Miles’s family.
“I can’t believe you get to have dinner with MilesandParker every week, at that mansion of a place they call a ranch house. You’re so lucky,” Erin says, eyes wide. They all know Miles too. Great.
“Wait, you actually see Miles? I haven’t seen him in… probably years. That guy has become such a hermit lately,” Morgan chides.
“Honestly, I wish I saw Oscar the Grouch a little less,” I reply. That earns a laugh from the girls.
“Come on girls, let’s get down to the boat,” Codie says, waving the giggling group towards the dock where the boat has come to a stop. Hikers file off of the boat, and we hop in line to get on board. We take up two rows of seating in the middle.
The boat ride over to the trailhead is pretty short, but it’s the prettiest one I’ve ever been on. And I’ve spent a lot of time at beautiful lakes.
Nothing compares to this.
The blue of the water and white of the wake trailing behind us. Full panoramic views of the Tetons jutting out from all around us. Pine trees climbing up the mountain and lining the lake, their scent surrounding us. The cool mountain air whipping my curls around my neck.
I take out my phone and snap a few photos of the mountains, and a selfie of our hiking group. I want to remember this day.
We are ushered off of the water taxi when it docks at the trailhead. The dock on this side of the lake is much smaller, and there’s a lot less of a line. The trail starts immediately afterwards, a dirt trail heading up into the tall lodgepole pines.
“Okay ladies,” Codie claps her hands, standing in front of us. “We are hiking to Hidden Falls today, and then up a bit further to the Inspiration Point. We’ll have a great view of Jenny Lake from there.”
“Lead the way!” Morgan shouts.
Our hiking boots crunch on the dirt trail as we head up the hill into the pine trees. A mix of green and blue fills my vision. I’ve spent my life exploring the mountains, hiking up to peaks, riding horses on rocky trails. But this is different somehow. More majestic.
I listen to them update each other on their jobs and their lives, and more than a few dating horror stories from Morgan. Erin reminds me a lot of Hazel. She’s got the same grit, a determination that flows off of her naturally.
For the first time since I got to Wyoming, I really miss my friends. I love being independent, but I miss having Hazel a short drive away. I wish she were here on this hike with us. She’d love it. I would love to bring her here someday.
The trees sway in a cool mountain breeze as we hike up and up, through switchbacks and over rocks solidified into the trail. The scent of pine fills my lungs. Truly fresh air. Before we’ve even reached a waterfall of overlook, I already love this trail.
Morgan and I fall into conversation about her many jobs around Jackson Hole over the years.
“I’m a bit of a wanderer, as my parents say,” she smiles, looking down at the dirt trail below us. “I love doing all kinds of things. So I do. And I love Wyoming. I couldn’t imagine living in a big city.”
“I get that,” I reply. “That’s why I like my job so much. It’s always different every day. Sometimes I’m turning over the properties, sometimes I’m helping guests plan their vacations, sometimes I’m renovating houses and decorating rooms.”
“Sounds like you love it.”
“I do. And I love that I get to learn different places while I’m at it. Be a resident of a different town every once in a while.” I reach back, clipping my hair up onto my head as the breeze turns from cool to warm.
“Do you think you’ll stay in Idaho forever?” Morgan asks.
I’ve never planned on staying in Idahoforever. In fact, I’ve always thought I’d move away eventually. Probably a few times. Explore new places. Open up new areas for MacPherson. Like what I’m doing here, but on a bigger scale.
But now? I’m not so sure. I could see myself wanting to find a home and stay somewhere. Traveling is fun, but it would be nice to have a place I can call my own.
I never really had that growing up. I’ve always pretty much been able to live out of a suitcase ever since my parents shipped me off to Juniper Ridge. Even with all of my Aunt’s efforts to make me feel at home and welcome there, it still wasn’t evermine.Not in the way that it’s Hazel’s. I still feel like somewhat of a guest there. A transplant.
