Page 21 of The Reluctant Roommate

Morgan blew out a breath. After that call, the day could only get better. She stood and stretched. The kitchen door was still closed. She padded across and opened it.

Heidi leaned against the counter, scrolling on her phone. Toast crumbs scattered across the counter, and a jar of something thick and dark was open on the counter.

“Thanks for the privacy.”

“No worries. I’m on the Denver transportation site. I can take the light rail and then a bus out to Belmar Park. Thanks for the suggestion.” Heidi crunched a piece of toast covered in the spread. She must have seen Morgan looking because she said, “Vegemite toast. My sister sent me a jar. You’re welcome to try it, but most people hate it if it wasn’t infused into their veins as babies.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” Even the smell was weird. She put her mug down onto the counter. The initial high of Jerry’s call had plummeted, filling her legs with lead. Really, why was she spending every workday stuck in the house, scrolling the job sites and pretending to work? Outside, the sky was the clearest blue, and no doubt the air was crisp and sharp. It was a day for hiking, for skiing, for being outdoors in the cold, dry air. For being alive.

“I’ve got a better idea than you taking the light rail. If you’re ready by noon, we could head out to RedRocks instead. It’s on the edge of the foothills and there are several hiking trails with fabulous views. I’ll drive.”

Heidi bounced away from the counter. “That would be amazing. I’d love to go there—you okay to take the afternoon off work?”

“I can swing it.”

“Then I’m not even here. I’m doing laundry.” Heidi set down her mug with a bang and hurtled out of the room.

Chapter 13

Altitude, Not Attitude

Heidi settled into the passenger seat of Morgan’s Nissan Altima and took a mouthful from her water bottle. Denver’s dry climate was very different to tropical north Australia, and, if she was honest, she preferred it. Now that she was accustomed to the altitude, she hoped the planned hike around the Trading Post Trail wouldn’t leave her gasping for breath.

The snow had mainly melted as Morgan had predicted, and the bright sunshine hurt her eyes. She fished her sunnies from her bag and stared out at the rows of modern housing and industry that lined Highway285. If she stayed in Denver, if she managed to get a car, how great it would be to cruise out of town on this highway and go camping in the Rockies. Explore hiking trails. Small towns. Maybe she’d get a four-wheel drive and explore some of Colorado’s legendary Jeep trails.

Morgan turned off the highway, following the sign to Morrison. Heidi leaned forward, peering out at the mishmash of single-story brick and adobe buildings, shops, and eateries that made up the small town.

The road became smaller, and Morgan finally pulled into a parking lot next to a three-story timber-and-adobe building.

“RedRocks Trading Post,” she said. “It’s worth a look. Coffee. Margaritas. Souvenirs. Do you want to hike first?”

Heidi got out of the car and looked around, taking in a lungful of chill air. They were higher than Denver, and the air was noticeably cooler. She shrugged into her thick fleece, wrapped her scarf around her neck, and pulled her gloves from the pocket. “Hike. Then we can reward ourselves after.”

“The hike will be the reward.” Morgan zipped her jacket. “This trail is easy, but the views are fantastic.”

They walked side by side to the start of the Trading Post Trail. The trail descended some steps before leveling out to pass alongside the tilted slabs of red rock. Some of the aspens and cottonwoods were gaining their fall colors. Despite the easy gradient, the air burned in Heidi’s chest as she tried to keep up with Morgan. It seemed walking around in Denver wasn’t enough to build stamina for even the slight difference in altitude. She took another slug from her water bottle and used her phone to snap a couple of pictures of the Denver skyline.

They ambled side by side along the last section of trail back toward the Trading Post.

“Want to see the amphitheater?” Morgan asked.

“Of course!” Heidi wiggled her eyebrows. “I looked up who’s played here. Have you been?”

“I saw the Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge in the summer. That was an amazing night. My Aunt Linda was visiting from New Jersey, and we went.”

Heidi fanned herself. “Melissa Etheridgeandthe Indigo Girls? Peak lesbian, girlfriend. I’m not sure you can top that.”

They climbed up the stairs to the top of the amphitheater and sat for a few minutes on the benches.

“Imagine this as the sun sets behind you and the lights of Denver appear to the east.”

“The sunrise must be spectacular.” Heidi shivered and hunched into her fleece. She shuffled closer to Morgan on the bench seat, sliding a hand around Morgan’s arm and pulling her closer. “I need some of your warmth. This seat is freezing my butt.”

Morgan leaned in, her shoulder pressing into Heidi’s, and it was as though their bodies warmed an air pocket between them. Heidi’s shivering stopped. She disengaged her arm fromMorgan’s and lifted Morgan’s arm, pulling it over her own shoulders. “That’s better still. You’re hot stuff, Favola.”

Morgan’s arm tensed.

“Relax.” Heidi tapped Morgan’s hand where it hung over her shoulder. “I’m talking body heat. You’re warming me nicely. Although, since the subject’s come up, you are hot stuff. Objectively speaking, of course.”