She started to go up again, doing her best not to repeat her mistake. Easton’s confidence in her had been reassuring, but River’s heart continued to race until she reached the top of the falls. Hauling herself over the edge, she turned and waved down to her crew where they filmed below.

Then, to her absolute horror, Easton unclipped from the belay rope and started to climb after her. Unlike River, there was no one to catch him if Easton fell. But he’d already committed to the climb, and yelling at him wasn’t going to help anything.

River had no choice but to watch him, every swing of his ice axes as fluid and effortless as the last, until he was below her on the falls.

“You’re trying to give me a heart attack,” River accused him when he was close enough to hear her.

Easton flashed her a grin so broad, even the beard couldn’t cover how much he was enjoying himself. Then, because he actually must be trying to make her keel over, he let go of one of his axes and twisted, dangling above the ground as he took in the view around them.

“Easton, I’m not above spanking you.”

“And here I thought you wanted to keep this professional.” Easton pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture while still dangling. Taking one more of her peering down at him, Easton then tucked his phone away and crested the falls like it was nothing. She was impressed—more than impressed—but somewhat annoyed too.

“You free-climbed that,” she growled at him.

“Yep.”

“After all the crap you gave me for wanting to climb this, you head on up like it’s nothing.”

Easton shrugged, then unexpectedly draped a heavy arm over her shoulders, pulling her tight to his side. Below them, the marmot scuttled around in a circle, frantic at being left behind.

“Hey, Easton?”

“Yeah?”

“Does the marmot seem off to you?”

“It’s totally bonkers.” They sat in silence for a moment, then he spoke. “Hey, River?”

“Hmm?”

“I like climbing with you.”

Resting her head on his shoulder, River was unable to help her smile. “Yeah. Me too.”

• • •

The day’s climb had taken the energy out of her.

Across the campfire from the rest of her party, River stayed seated cross-legged on the thin layer of snow, her weatherproof snow pants softening the chill. She could only imagine how cold it would be in the dead of winter, when this mountain would be untouchable. Her fingernails idly scratched at the ground next to her hip, an unconscious tic as she stared into the flames.