People broke free of the bad examples from their childhood all the time. If others could do it, she could, too.
She could be a good and loving parent, like Ian appeared to be toward Amelia and Thomas. She turned her attention back to him, embarrassed that she had let her thoughts wander.
“If you have trouble finding the trailhead, just ask anyone. Someone nearby can show you. I’m sure you will have a wonderful time. They’ll both enjoy it. You have a very pretty view over the lake from there. Waterfall on one side, a spectacular view on the other. It makes for a great combination.”
“Like bangers and mash,” he said with a smile.
“And salmon and bears.”
His smile deepened and she couldn’t help returning it. For an instant, his gaze flickered to her mouth ever so briefly and then quickly away.
She felt her cheeks heat. Was he remembering that kiss as she was?
“I’ve just had a brilliant idea,” he said suddenly. “Would you like to go with us?”
She stared, taken completely by surprise at the idea. “You...want me to go hiking with you?”
“And the children,” he hurried to answer. “It wouldn’t be a date or anything, I assure you.”
As he said the words, she thought she saw color rise on his rugged features.
“I never thought otherwise,” she said just as quickly. They were quite the pair, the two of them, both dancing around this attraction neither seemed willing to acknowledge.
“I simply thought it would be nice to have someone local along, someone knowledgeable about the trail system, so we don’t wander off into the wilderness somewhere.”
She had to laugh at that. “I’m afraid if you’re looking for an expert, you will have to find someone else. I’ve lived here my entire life, just a few blocks from the trailhead, yet I’ve only been to Bridal Veil Falls a handful of times.”
When she had hiked that trail, it had usually been with friends. Certainly not her mother. Despite living in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Linda wasn’t big on outdoor activities. She gardened a little but mostly had preferred to be sitting at home with a book or watching television.
Maybe if her father had lived longer, he might have taken her on more of the trails around the lake. He had been a deep lover of nature, both the pristine mountain setting around Lake Haven and the Redemption Mountains and the wildlife who lived all around them.
“No matter,” Ian said now. “We don’t really need an expert. We can always use a trail map to guide our way. I’m sure the children would still enjoy having you. Maybe we could take a picnic lunch on Sunday.”
Oh, that sounded lovely. She could imagine sitting beside the falls, enjoying a summer day with them.
Before she could answer, Ian winced a little, as if only now remembering to whom he was speaking. “You will probably be working in your store, though, won’t you? Forget I said anything.”
It was a logical assumption. Between all the custom dress orders she was sewing mostly at home in between overseeing daily operations at Fremont Fashions, she was working every single day without a vacation. She had been since her mother died.
Suddenly the idea of spending a few hours with Ian and his children was undeniably appealing.
Not the smartest idea, her mother’s voice seemed to whisper in her ear. She had to admit, this time that voice was probably right.
She was already concerned about growing too close to Ian and his children. After all, they would be leaving in only a few more weeks. Spending the afternoon with them hiking through the backcountry was not a good way to maintain boundaries around her heart.
She was about to tell him no when she caught herself. Was she really still letting the thought of what her mother might say in a given situation dictate her actions and tell her who she should associate with and when?
Linda was gone now. If Sam wanted to hang out with Ian and his children for a few hours in the mountains on her day off, what was the harm? She had been working endless days, harder than she had ever worked in her life. She deserved a few hours for herself.
“I hope to be finished with Gemma’s dress and another one I’m working on by Sunday. A hike in the mountains to celebrate finishing the work sounds lovely actually.”
He looked delighted and a little surprised that she had agreed. “Great. Let’s plan on it. How long do you figure it will take us to reach the waterfall?”
Katrina would die laughing if she knew Ian Summerhill was looking at Samantha, of all people, for backcountry guidance.
“Again, I’m not the expert on local hikes. I hope you don’t expect that from me.”
“Not at all,” he assured her.
“I can ask around to be certain. I have friends who have done it many times. As I recall, it’s a little bit uphill at the beginning and then the trail levels. I believe it usually takes the average hiker about an hour. With the children, you might want to give it an hour and a half, since there are interesting things to see along the way.”
“Not to mention that Thomas can literally drag his heels if he gets the slightest bit tired.”
She smiled at the visual imagery. Again, he gave her that intense look that made her skin feel hot and itchy.
“Let’s plan to leave around ten thirty in the morning. Does that work with your schedule?”
She could fill her day with a thousand things to do. None of them appealed to her as much as taking a short hike into the mountains with Ian and his children.
“Sounds perfect. It’s still cool enough on our June mornings that we should be comfortable. Can I pack a lunch?”
“I’ll have Mrs. Gilbert fix some for us, as it was my invitation.”
“All right. I’ll look forward to it. Meanwhile, please convey my thanks to your children for their loving care of
