Maybe the memories had taken her too deeply, because large, callused fingers slipped through her slimmer, softer ones. Once, she’d had calluses like those too, from long days and longer nights working horses and cattle with her family.

“How is it that I had to travel thousands of miles from home to find a place that reminds me so much of being back there?”

“Maybe you miss it,” Easton said. “When I miss home, seems like everything reminds me of where I wish I was.”

“Do you travel much?”

“Some. I’d like to travel more. Nepal, India, Tibet.”

“All places with the highest mountains in the world.” River turned to look at him and realized their faces were only inches apart. Suddenly, the sky above wasn’t nearly as interesting. “You should go.”

The way his expression changed, she knew he misunderstood her. Tightening her hold on his hand, River shook her head. “I meant to Nepal and everywhere else. To the tallest mountains. Don’t let anything stop you. There’s a big world out there. We shouldn’t have to stay locked in a box and only see part of it. Besides, after watching you climb that waterfall today, I couldn’t imagine anyone better for it.”

For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. The look in his eyes when he gazed at her certainly said he was considering it. Tugging on his hand to indicate she was more than okay with any decision he might be struggling with, River wiggled closer. He shifted up to brace his weight on one elbow, their threaded fingers between their chests.

“Hey, Easton! Adventuring biscuits have been consumed, man. Time to get UniMagP’ed up.”

“And that’s how you ruin a perfectly good moment.” River sighed, dropping her head back on the rock. “Thank you, Jessie.”

Easton sat up. “Don’t worry. Whatever this is, we have time to figure it out.” Leaning in, Easton added quietly, “It’s a long trip to the top.”

As he rose and disappeared toward the campfire, River turned back to the sky above her. She’d always lived her life for the endgame. The job, the career, the summit. But as she considered his words, River couldn’t help the curving of her lips.

Maybe this time, the best part would be getting there.

Chapter 10

River was born to be in front of a camera.