Page 95 of One More Kiss

Chapter2

The driveinto the park is like most of our drives. A top-40 radio station plays in the background as Corbin dances and sings in his booster seat. I weave in and out of the traffic that seems to constantly occupy this stretch of highway and hope like hell our little run-down car doesn't decide to act up today.

The temperature is cool and the air is fresh, so I leave all the windows open to enjoy the blissful ride. We're moving into the mountains, the air light and crisp, the trees reaching for the clouds as the sun streams in.

I never tire of our peaceful drives together, and I never tire of Corbin's antics as he sings and dances to the music, completely oblivious to everything around us, completely comfortable.

When I take the exit and start to see signs for the park, my fingers tingle and my heart races. I've got to get control of this anxiety attack before it renders me useless.

I make the final turn alongside a stream and head over a bumpy, dirt road. I try like hell to remember the directions on the way in, but I get lost anyway. That's what happens when I'm overly anxious. I get flustered, and I can't remember how to get anywhere.

But when I see the signs for the ropes course, I realize I'm not too far off track, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I pull into the gravel parking lot and glance over at Corbin. "Ready to go, baby?" I ask, and he nods enthusiastically.

I grab his backpack from the trunk and hold out my hand for him to take. He's not usually keen on holding my hand as we walk, but I think somehow he can tell I need the support today, so he takes it without hesitation. He probably thinks it's because I'm nervous about the ropes course, and he wouldn't be entirely wrong if he does. It isn't exactly my speed. Which is more... on solid ground.

The trail to the ropes course is located in the middle of the park, so we walk under a canopy of old trees, their limbs reaching over the trails, creating tunnels of protection that we walk under. The leaves rustle and whisper in the breeze, providing a natural soundtrack for our trek.

A little hut sits in the middle of a clearing with a customer window staffed by a little, old lady. She smiles and greets us as we approach, her eyes twinkling with happiness. She takes our tickets and hands us a map of the course before sending us off to meet up with our trail guide. As we walk away, I hear her tell us to be careful and have fun.

We approach a wooden platform with tall posts connected above our heads with what seems like very flimsy ropes. They seem about as reliable as spiderwebs. I am not the tiniest woman and wonder if those ropes will hold my weight or turn me into a sack of potatoes, tossed down like an old rag doll.

The trail guide, a tall, buff guy with a nametag that reads David, greets us with a smile. I vaguely recognize him but I can't quite place why he looks so familiar. He's got this easy smile that makes my heart flutter just a bit, and his eyes are piercing blue. He's got this calm energy about him that makes me feel at ease, despite the fact that I'm about to embark on one of the most dangerous things I've done in quite a while.

"Welcome to the ropes course," he says as he extends a hand for me to shake. "My name is-"

"David," I cut him off, motioning to the nametag. "I'm Kaylee and this is Corbin."

"Nice to meet you, Kaylee and Corbin." He laughs as he turns and starts to walk toward the course. "You guys ready for this?"

"Yes!" Corbin shrieks, jumping up and down.

As ready as I'll ever be, I think to myself as I force a smile.

He helps me into my harness and gives me some instruction on how to use the equipment. His hands are strong and sure as he helps me adjust the straps and tighten the buckles. I try to pay attention to his words, but it's hard when he's standing so close to me and smells faintly of cedar. His scent is intoxicating, and I have to fight the urge to lean in and breathe him in.

Stop it. I've got to focus. Wonder Day. Ropes Course. Fun with Corbin.

Not a hot wilderness guy with long hair and ripped muscles.

He finishes my harness and steps back to look at me. His eyes are a deep green, like the forest. They meet mine and the expression on his face changes slightly. It's like he's thinking the same thing I am. We've met before. Somewhere. But surely I'd remember someone who looked like this.

He's tall, with broad shoulders and muscles that ripple under his shirt. His hair is a dark brown, almost black, and it falls into his eyes. He brushes it back with one hand before he pats Corbin's helmet. "All set, little man. You two ready?"

I nod, trying in vain to make my heart slow down. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time, but I can do this. I kind of have to. I can't let my seven year-old show me up.

David gives me a wink and leads us over to the start of the course. It's nothing but a bunch of ropes hanging in the air, with different levels and obstacles attached to them. I'm going to climb over these things with a small person who barely just learned to walk in my mind. This is going to be insane, but I'm ready to get it done.

Corbin goes first, and I watch as he navigates each obstacle before making his way across to the other side. I can't help but laugh at his terrified face as he makes his way across. He's scared, but he's not willing to admit it.

And then it's my turn. I go slowly, following Corbin's lead, and making sure to keep my hands and feet in the correct positions. It's not as hard as I thought it would be, and I'm having fun by the time I make it to the other side.

The view from the wooden platform at the top of the course is breathtaking. We're high above the trees with a clear view of the stream below us. The sun shines in through the tops of the trees, twinkling off the water like multifaceted diamonds.

Once David crosses he follows my line of sight. "Beautiful. Isn't it?"

I turn to look at him and see him grinning, his features relaxed and happy.

"Yeah," I say, trying to keep my voice even as my throat constricts with emotion. "It's gorgeous."

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