Page 56 of My Heart Still Beats
Some of the silver-gray rock steps are crescent-shaped and some semi-circular, with natural ridges and depressions, providing sufficient grip to prevent slipping.
Braden turns around. “You two are bringing up the rear.”
I look upward. Marcus and the rest of our group are way ahead of us. I pull on Ben’s arm. “We should catch up.”
“We’re fine, Tessa,” he says. “Look around you. This is Mother Nature’s handiwork. Enjoy it. Breathe it all in.”
At his urging, I draw in a deep breath, inhaling the natural mist coming off the falls.
And I feel…
I feel almost…invincible.
And I like the feeling. I like it a lot.
How did Ben Black know that this hike was exactly what I needed?
I tug on his arm once more, and he turns around to meet my gaze.
His brown eyes are kind and beautiful and full of joy. Demons? Did he say he has demons? Because I don’t see them.
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Thank you for this,” I say. “For making me do this.”
He chuckles. “Tessa, I don’t think I canmakeyou do anything.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ben
This is my first time hiking the falls, but when the resort planner told me about it, I knew we had to do it.
I knew it would be perfect for Tessa—and for the rest of us, for that matter.
This is nothing for Braden and me. The cold plunge is much chillier and requires a lot more mental fortitude.
But for Tessa? This is the beauty of nature, the power of water, and the life force of oxygen in the air.
Exactly what she needs.
“This place is like a hidden paradise,” Tessa says. “Yet we’re not very far from the resort. Which is also paradise, but in a different way.”
“Manmade versus nature,” I say. “Nature wins every time.”
I already had my cold plunge this morning, but being here revitalizes me with a rush of adrenaline and awe. The cascading waters and joyfulness of the tourists provide an absorbing soundtrack. Ascending the steps isn’t particularly difficult for someone in good shape, but there’s still a thrilling sense of accomplishment as the frothy waters curl around my feet and the Caribbean sun hits my bare chest.
I tug on Tessa’s arm, helping her onto a particularly high rock. She turns around and gazes downward, joy filling her dark eyes.
Yes, this was definitely a good idea.
“The view from the top must be amazing,” she says.
“This is so much fun!” Betsy says from a few steps above us.
“They’ve reached the summit,” I say, taking Tessa’s hand again. “Come on. Let’s go.”
A few more rocks, and Tessa and I join Marcus and the others at the top. Skye and Braden have fallen behind, Skye snapping photo after photo.
