Page 39 of Not Until I Found You

“A friend?” Her head tilts, and a small crease forms between her brows.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve never heard God or prayer described that way before.” There’s a softness to her voice.

I feel this protective urge to show her more, to somehow help her feel safe in this, but I keep my thoughts in check. I force myself to focus on her words, the gentle squeeze of her hand, and the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing next to me.

“Can you tell me what happened in there?” she asks.

That snaps me back into reality. I let go of her hand and turn in my seat. As I start the engine, I remember that we’re still in the parking lot of Trail and Tackle, and Lily is still inside the building. Once I pull onto the road and head in the direction of home, I finally answer her.

“Yeah, but let’s get back to the cabins first, before we lose the rest of the afternoon.”

“Wait, why are we heading back already? I thought we were going to the trail.”

“The trail we’re hiking today is on my property,” I announce with a small grin. “We need to change and gear up first. I want to show you how to prep properly for a hike. Everything from layers to lacing your boots the right way. I can’t have you ending up with blisters on my watch.”

She whistles. “Blisters? I’m starting to wonder if I’m going to enjoy hiking with you.”

“Don’t worry, I have a feeling you’re going to love it.”

Chapter Ten

Maxinne

Zane was right. I love hiking. We’re only thirty minutes into the trail, and I haven’t stopped smiling once.

There’s something about being surrounded by nature that comforts me. Out here, the air smells fresh and alive. Towering oak and pine trees stretch toward the sky, their leaves whispering secrets in the wind, while ferns carpet the forest floor in soft, feathery layers.

I admire the way moss climbs up rocks and tree trunks. Every now and then, there are flashes of colorful wildflowers—trillium, bluets, and anemone—peeking out from the underbrush. Sven is having the best time chasing new scents and barking at anything that moves.

This is exactly what I needed today.

I crouch beside a cluster of tiny white blooms, brushing my fingers over the petals. “This one’s yarrow,” I say, glancing back at Zane. “It’s good for treating wounds, helping digestive issues, soothing skin inflammation, and so much more.”

Zane hums, but when I look up, his eyes aren’t on the plant. They’re on me. I clear my throat and push to my feet, brushing dirt from my hands as I move a few steps ahead.

“And this”—I gesture toward a patch of bright-green leaves near the trail—“is jewelweed. It’s what you want if you ever end up covered in poison ivy out here.”

“Good to know.” There’s a slight hitch in his voice that makes my stomach flip.

I glance at him again, noticing his gaze lingering a second too long before he looks away. Then the silence stretches, and when my eyes land on a cluster of ferns growing along the edge of the trail, I continue making small talk.

“Oh, and those are Christmas ferns. They stay green year-round, which is actually kind of spectacular when you think about it.”

I immediately cringe because, apparently, I really want to impress Zane, but I’m not sure why. The last thing he probably wants right now is to hear me rant about plants, but I’m having a hard time being quiet. The silence makes me a little uncomfortable and now that I’ve started talking, I can’t seem to stop.

“And those over there are trilliums. They’re one of my favorites. Well, maybe not my favorite-favorite. That spot is reserved for⁠—”

I cut myself off when I realize I’m rambling, again, and heat creeps into my cheeks. Beside me, Zane lets out a faint laugh. At least he’s enjoying my social awkwardness.

There’s a change in him after running into his ex. I hoped the prayer would have brought him some peace, but the moment we stepped onto this trail, he’s been quiet and hasn’t mentioned what happened in the outdoors store. I wish I could help him untangle whatever’s weighing him down, because if anyone can understand how he feels, I think it’d be me.

I don’t know the details of Zane’s story, but I recognize that expression on his face of someone who’s trying to make sense of something that’s clearly still raw. I leave him be and return my focus on the hike.

An unexpected sense of awe settles over me as I admire the plants. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to consider that God intentionally created every single one of them. If He took such care creating something as simple as a flower, what does that say about the people He made? It has me wondering what else I’ve been missing all these years.

My thoughts are interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. I reach into my back pocket and glance at the screen. It’s my mom calling me for the third time today. I know she’s worried about me, but ever since I arrived in Covewood, her check-ins have multiplied. Every conversation starts with asking how Ashton’s doing and somehow ends with a reminder that summer will be over before I know it. I let it ring until it goes to voicemail.