“You will later. And this is how we repay the owners of the land that Twin Falls sits on. They make the best smoothies and have all sorts of local treats and tropical fruits. Even souvenirs. The upkeep of the trails and parking lot and all this traffic takes a toll. I wish more of the tourists would support their efforts.”

He led her over to the colorful stand. While he paid for a few loaves of what he called the “famous Maui banana bread,” she lingered at the eclectic collection of souvenirs, picking through until she found some unique wooden bookmarks. She didn’t know whom she’d give them to, but she wanted to do her part too. She quickly went to the cashier and paid, then waited over on the side for Liam to finish.

When he joined her, he handed her a small package filled with long, brown candies of some sort.

“Coconut candy,” he said. “Pali loves it. Maybe you can use it as a peace offering.”

“Great idea,” Quinn said, tucking the package into her bag. She was willing to try anything. She didn’t need to win him over, exactly. But it would be nice not to think she was sleeping so close to an enemy.

After Liam returned to put the bread in the car, he led her to the beginning of the trail to the falls. She could already hear the rush of water in the distance.

“Be careful,” he said, taking her hand.

Tingles shot up her fingers and then all the way to her brain at the sudden warmth he radiated through her. She thought of Ethan and wondered how long it had been since he’d tried to hold her hand.

That was unfair, she realized.

She also hadn’t tried to hold his. Somehow over the years, the habit had just faded away.

A few minutes later they made their way through a majestic bamboo jungle, the stalks reaching high for the sky like some sort of fortress to protect the fragile nature within. Within, it felt surreal and quiet. Quinn was sorry when they left it behind.

“Now you’re going to get those nice shoes wet,” Liam said, guiding her over a small stream.

“I don’t mind,” Quinn said, but she cringed when she thought of what she’d paid for the popular canvas sneakers. She should’ve brought hiking shoes.

The wide varieties of exotic plants and tropical trees were beautiful, but, just as she was thinking of how exhausted and hot she was getting, the trail opened up and they were there.

It was a magnificent scene. The roar of the falls decimated any silence that might have thought about gathering there. Quinn could also hear birds and other sounds of nature as she and Liam approached the water.

Even the water was like a painting. The cool greens and blues swirled together, creating a lovely and cool-looking portrait of peacefulness.