I couldn’t stop smiling. The hike to the saddle had taken most of the day, but if my muscles were rebelling, I couldn’t tell. I was too busy floating on air. The brief kiss I’d shared with Liam had filled me with a sense of hope I hadn’t experienced in too long. It made me think there was a chance we could find our way back to each other. As we returned to the start of the trail, I watched his sexy back as he strode ahead of me. Shoulders broad, butt definitely worth ogling. Mm.

Being with him was exactly what I needed. I’d been in a funk yesterday after receiving that New Year’s Eve text. I’d initially hoped that Nate would be able to run some kind of trace on the number even though it displayed as private—but apparently that was only something that happened on television shows, unless the police had either a full phone number or could run an active trace with a bunch of very expensive equipment during an ongoing call. When I’d showed Nate, he’d had to gently break the news that there was nothing they could do with it. He’d pointed out that the way the message was phrased, coupled with the fact the sender was hidden, meant we couldn’t be sure they were even in the country. It could be someone from back home. But then, it concerned me that someone had my phone number to begin with. It wasn’t listed. In fact, it was very, very private.

But I wasn’t thinking of that today. I was thinking of Liam’s gorgeous blue eyes, his cautious smiles—which were harder to earn than they used to be and more valuable because of it—and the future we might be able to build together. I imagined fair-haired babies with faded denim eyes. A cute house with none of the pomp of my place in Bel Air, and maybe a dog. I’d always wanted a pet, but with the kids around and work sending me all over the country, it hadn’t seemed prudent. Now, if I wanted a dog, there was nothing stopping me. I smiled to myself. Perhaps I’d adopt a rescue. I’d heard a newcomer might be opening a shelter on the outskirts of town. I could be their first customer.

I laughed out loud. I was getting ahead of myself. I wasn’t even sure if this was a date, although it felt like one.

“What’s so funny?” Liam asked, looking back over his shoulder.

“Nothing.” My cheeks heated. “Just thinking how lucky I am to be here and how excited I am about finally being able to live the life I want.”

“Those sound like good thoughts.” He smiled and kept walking. “So, no regrets coming back to Destiny Falls?”