Chapter Fifteen

Tessa

“Hiking? Seriously?” I say to Ben after I finish off something called ackee and about five slices of bacon before the dining room closes for breakfast.

“Hey, you told me to plan the whole damned weekend, Tessa.” He laughs. “And I planned for us all to hike up Dunn’s River Falls.”

I take a drink of orange juice. “But tonight is the bachelorette party. I don’t want everyone tired out from some hike.”

“This isn’t just some hike, Tessa. It’s Dunn’s River Falls. We’re hiking up a waterfall.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better about the whole thing?”

“Yes! It will be exhilarating. All that oxygen coming off the water. You’re going to love it, I promise. Everyone will.”

“So everyone is going?”

“Yup! I’ve got a guide all set up.”

“What am I supposed to wear?”

“Whatever you want,” he says, smiling, “but I’d suggest a bathing suit. It’s a waterfall, Tessa. You’re going to get wet.”

I shake my head.

“Hey,” he says again, “you told me to plan the weekend.”

“You could have told me about this on the plane ride, you know. Around the same time when you were telling me to get out and do something when I was feeling down.”

“Little did you know…I’d already planned for you to get out and do something.” His eyes crinkle.

My God, those eyes…

I almost think he could get me to do anything when he looks at me with those warm dark-brown eyes.

“I’m not going,” I say hotly.

“Have it your way,” he says. “But everyone else is going.”

“Betsy’s going? Kathy? Kathy Harmon would rather die than exercise.” She’s one of those naturally thin women who never lifts a finger and gorges on dessert but never gains an ounce.

“Everyone, even Kathy,” he says. “Except you, apparently. And it’s not really exercise. It’s…exertion. It’s more energizing than tiring.”

“Oh, well.” I sigh. “I guess I’ll find something to do.”

He stares at me then. Really stares at me, and—

I realize I must look and sound like a petulant child. One hike won’t kill me, I guess.

“Fine,” I say. “When are we leaving?”

“Limos are picking us up outside the resort in an hour. Be there or be square.”

“You did not just say that.”

Ben laughs. “Afraid I did.”

He is in entirely too good a mood today. And it’s contagious. I can feel myself catching it from him.

“Wear that hot blue bikini you had on last night,” he says. “Put on a pair of shorts over the bottoms. Do you have shoes with tread?”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll have some sent over.”

I roll my eyes. “I have water sandals with tread, lucky for you.”

“Definitely lucky for me.” He smiles. “And don’t forget sunscreen.”

…

We’re not at all inconspicuous driving up to Dunn’s River Falls in limos. Tourists stare as we exit the large black vehicles, and a guide meets us right at the entrance.

Ben walks toward him. “You must be Marcus,” he says. “I’m Benjamin Black.”

“Good to meet you, Mr. Black,” Marcus says in a Jamaican accent. “Is the whole party here?”

I look around. One person is missing—Ben’s father. How did he get out of this? Everyone else—including Kathy Harmon, in a gorgeous fuchsia tankini that shows off everything perfect about her body—is here.

“Yup,” Ben says, “and call me Ben, please.”

“Good enough, Ben.” Marcus grins and then raises his voice. “All right, folks, welcome to Dunn’s River Falls! I’m Marcus, your guide for today. Remember, stay close, and we’ll make it to the top safely.”

“Safely?” I whisper to Ben.

“Tessa, this is perfectly safe.”

I don’t reply.

“Wow,” Skye says on a breath, a waterproof camera around her neck. “The pictures online don’t do this place justice.”

“The photos you take will,” Braden says, taking her hand.

They’re so in love, it’s disgusting.

Except it’s not. It’s sweet, actually. Their impending wedding is one of the most anticipated events on social media. Skye is keeping a lot of it private, but she makes her followers happy by posting once a day about something. Today I have a hunch it will be Dunn’s River Falls. She won’t post about the party tonight. If I know my best friend, she’ll consider that too private.

We walk to the falls. The whoosh of the water is oddly soothing. Chains of climbers holding hands move upward on the limestone rock, but I try to imagine the falls without the people. Just the natural beauty. The water glistens in the sunlight as it rushes over the rocks. The falls are surrounded by vibrant greenery that contrasts strikingly with the white limestone and the turquoise pools of water.

For a moment, I wish only Ben and I were here to experience this together.

Marcus shouts to be heard over the thundering falls. “Okay, everyone. We’re going to wade in now. Make sure anything that can be damaged by water is secure because, folks, we’re going to get wet! Anyone who wants to take my hand and form a chain, please do. Otherwise, be careful.”

Ben grabs my hand.

I jerk slightly, but I don’t pull away. I’m pretty athletic from running and yoga, and I’m sure I can make this climb alone, but Ben’s hand… It feels good in mine. We don’t join the human chain. Neither do Skye and Braden, but Betsy, Kathy, and most of the others do.

The cool water laps around my ankles, and it’s refreshing in the hot sun under the blue sky.

“The rocks beneath you are naturally formed by the water,” Marcus yells. “This is a unique hiking experience that you’ll never forget!”

Betsy laughs. “The water’s chilly, but it feels great!”

“Totally,” Kathy agrees.

She’s holding Marcus’s hand and engaging him. Such a flirt. Betsy’s next to Kathy, holding her hand.

“Keep going,” Marcus says. “We’re just getting started. Remember to watch your step on the rocks.”

The water level increases as we go, and soon I’m up to my knees. It’s cold, but it feels good. Invigorating, even.

“I think I know why you wanted me to do this,” I say to Ben, my hand still in his.

“Oh?” He lifts his eyebrows.

“The cold. The water. It’s…exhilarating. I mean…you just can’t feel bad when you’re among such beauty…and coldness.”

“It takes you over,” he says.

“Yeah, it does. In a good way.”

“Wait until you see what I’ve got planned for you tomorrow.” His eyes twinkle.

“Climbing Mount Everest?”

He laughs. “Did Tessa Logan just make a joke?”

Did I? The old Tessa made jokes all the time. This Tessa? It may be her first time.

“This is incredible!” Skye says from in front of me. “Can you believe how the water carved these steps from rocks?” She stops and takes a few photos.

Some of the silver-gray rock steps are crescent-shaped and some semi-circular, with natural ridges and depressions, providing sufficient grip to prevent slipping.

Braden turns around. “You two are bringing up the rear.”

I look upward. Marcus and the rest of our group are way ahead of us. I pull on Ben’s arm. “We should catch up.”

“We’re fine, Tessa,” he says. “Look around you. This is Mother Nature’s handiwork. Enjoy it. Breathe it all in.”

At his urging, I draw in a deep breath, inhaling the natural mist coming off the falls.

And I feel…

I feel almost…invincible.

And I like the feeling. I like it a lot.

How did Ben Black know that this hike was exactly what I needed?

I tug on his arm once more, and he turns around to meet my gaze.

His brown eyes are kind and beautiful and full of joy. Demons? Did he say he has demons? Because I don’t see them.

“Yeah?” he asks.

“Thank you for this,” I say. “For making me do this.”

He chuckles. “Tessa, I don’t think I can make you do anything.”