Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sunday afternoons in Good Hope had a way of stretching out, unhurried and sun-warmed.
“I’m so glad you could come with me.” Bella slanted a sideways glance at Mac as she slowed to turn off the highway onto an unpaved road. Gravel crunched under the tires, dust rising in their wake. “This should be fun.”
Another puzzling comment. Mac shifted in her seat, determined to get to the bottom of it.
“Tell me again why you wanted to drive out here?” She’d asked a version of that question at least three times since Bella had first mentioned the outing, and each time, her friend had sidestepped the answer.
Mac had been wanting to see Harbor Bluffs Adventure Park, recently opened by Good Hope Outfitters, and the brainchild of Callum Brody.
It wasn’t that she minded the drive out here, but her friend had never been particularly interested in outdoor activities, especially ones she considered scary.
She’d told Mac that the last time a carnival had been in town, she’d flatly refused to ride the double Ferris wheel.
“I’ve been in a rut lately,” Bella said after a pause. “Work, eating out, rinse and repeat. I decided it was time to shake things up.”
Mac studied her friend’s profile. Bella loved cozy booths and comfort food, not mud trails and harnesses. Still, the determination in her voice rang clear. If a morning spent walking around Harbor Bluffs Adventure Park was her idea of shaking things up, Mac was willing to play along.
The trees thickened as they neared the park, sunlight dappling the windshield.
When Bella pulled into the gravel lot, it was already crowded.
SUVs and minivans with out-of-town plates lined the rows.
The air outside buzzed with laughter and shouts, threaded with the clank of carabiners and the creak of wood platforms swaying in the breeze.
They strolled past the ropes course, where kids scrambled across wobbly bridges, and adults tried not to look down. When they reached the zip-line area, Bella continued into the section clearly marked for ticket holders.
“Bella,” Mac said, touching her friend’s arm. “That’s where people with tickets go.”
“I’ve got tickets.” Bella’s voice wobbled even as she squared her shoulders. “For both of us.”
Mac’s gaze shot skyward as the metallic whine of pulleys sliced through the air. A rider zipped past in a blur of helmet and sneakers, his whoop echoing through the trees. Her stomach dipped in sympathy.
“For the zip line?” she asked, incredulous. If Bella thought a Ferris wheel was scary, this was in another class altogether.
“I know what it is.” Bella didn’t look up. Her fingers twisted together, tightening and loosening, betraying nerves she was trying to hide.
A young attendant stepped forward with a bright smile, harnesses draped over her arm. In moments, Bella was being fitted with straps and buckles.
“Are you sure?” Mac asked under her breath once the girl stepped away.
Bella tugged at the strap across her waist, yanking it tighter, though it was already snug. “Not really,” she admitted, her smile shaky. “But I promised myself when I turned thirty that I’d try something new. Step outside my comfort zone.”
Mac let out a low whistle. “Well, you picked a big step.” She nudged Bella’s shoulder, grinning. “Guess that makes you braver than me. I usually ease into my discomfort.”
Bella’s answering laugh was shaky, but genuine. She tugged her helmet into place, then adjusted it again even though it sat perfectly straight. “If I can’t be brave here, where can I?”
A familiar laugh rang out behind them. “Now, that’s the spirit.”
Mac turned just as Callum strode up, already wearing a harness that hung low on his hips, clearly at home in the equipment.
His easy swagger radiated amusement. He clapped Bella on the shoulder, nearly knocking her off-balance.
“You’ll love it. Nothing like jumping off a platform fifty feet in the air to remind you you’re alive. ”
Bella went a shade paler. “Right. Alive.”
Mac chuckled as she slipped into her own harness. She wasn’t a daredevil like Callum, but she didn’t shy away from heights either. “Only you would call hurling yourself into open air a good time.”
“Better than sitting on the couch,” Callum shot back with a grin.
“Some of us like couches,” Bella muttered, yanking her harness strap tighter as if she didn’t trust the first three tugs.
“Relax.” Callum’s tone was teasing but kind. “You’ll be bragging about this by lunchtime.”
“Assuming I survive,” Bella said under her breath.
Before Mac could reassure her, Callum glanced over his shoulder and called, “Hey, slowpoke, get over here!”
Mac followed his gaze and spotted Connor threading his way through the crowd, a harness slung over one arm. Her pulse stuttered. He moved with his usual unhurried stride, but the smile curving his mouth sent a flutter through her chest.
He drifted closer, eyes flicking from Bella’s white-knuckled fussing with her helmet strap to Mac’s steady stance. “So…this is your idea of a Sunday morning?”
“I’m here for moral support,” Mac said, though her lips curved despite herself. She shot Bella a look. “Didn’t realize I’d end up on the platform, too.”
Bella brushed her arm with her hand. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
Mac’s gaze snagged on Connor’s, holding longer than it should have. She smiled before she could stop herself. “Oh, I definitely do.”
The look Connor gave her made her feel like her anticipation was about more than the ride.
The line moved steadily, harnessed riders climbing the wooden stairs to the launch point. Laughter and the occasional shriek carried back on the wind. Mac and Bella shuffled forward, helmets snug, the boards beneath their feet creaking faintly with each step.
Bella kept tugging at the strap across her waist as if it might suddenly give way. Callum, climbing behind her, caught the motion and leaned in with a grin. “You check that thing one more time, and it’s gonna think you don’t trust it.”
Bella shot him a look, pale but determined. “You think this is funny? I could die.”
“You’re more likely to die of boredom at Muddy Boots,” Callum quipped. “This? This is living.”
Bella groaned. “Easy for you to say. You probably did this without a harness the first time.”
Callum laughed, clearly pleased she’d risen to the bait. “Nah. Even I like to stack the odds in my favor. But I’ll tell you what. You’ll scream, then you’ll laugh, and then you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.”
Bella muttered something under her breath, but her lips twitched, betraying the smallest smile.
Mac, climbing just ahead of them, found herself shoulder to shoulder with Connor. He adjusted the strap across his chest, moving with calm ease.
“So…moral support, huh?” he said, voice pitched low for her alone.
“That’s what I told Bella.” Mac tried for breezy, but the way his eyes lingered made her heart trip. “But between you and me? I don’t mind heights.”
“I figured,” Connor said, his grin easy. “You’re not the type to back down from a challenge.”
She arched a brow. “And you are?”
He shook his head, still smiling. “I’m the type who likes surprises. Like finding you here.”
Her pulse skipped. “Sounds like you’re already enjoying yourself.”
“Maybe I am.” His gaze held hers, steady in a way that left her a little unsteady.
The instructor’s voice cut in, breaking the moment as the group ahead of them launched, whooping, into the trees.
Mac turned toward the open air, the wind lifting strands of hair against her cheek. She forced a smile, though her pulse thudded fast beneath the snug harness. With Connor at her side and Bella laughing like she hadn’t in ages, Mac couldn’t deny it—this morning was a gift. Unexpected, exhilarating.
The instructor clipped Bella to the line, checking the carabiner twice before giving her a thumbs-up.
Bella’s knuckles went white on the handle. “Remind me why I thought this was a good idea?” she muttered, half to herself.
“Because it is,” Callum said behind her, grinning. “Now, go show us how it’s done.”
Bella blew out a shaky breath, squared her shoulders and stepped off the platform.
Her scream echoed through the trees—high and sharp—then, halfway across, it broke into laughter. By the time she arrived at the landing platform on the far side, she was still laughing as the staff unhooked her.
Mac leaned over the railing, calling out, “Look at you, thrill-seeker!”
Bella waved back, hair wild under her helmet, her grin wide and unguarded.
The instructor beckoned Mac forward. “You’re up.”
Mac stepped into place, the boards creaking under her weight. The harness tugged against her hips, snug and steady. She curled her fingers around the handle, the view stretching wide and wild in front of her.
Behind her, Connor’s voice was low. “Ready?”
She glanced over her shoulder, catching his steady grin. “Always.”
And then she pushed off.
The rush stole her breath, the world blurring into speed and sky, the trees flashing by, the wind tearing laughter straight from her chest. She let it out, full and free, exhilaration crackling through her veins.
For a few wild seconds, there was nothing but motion and light, the sense that she could fly forever.
She landed solidly, knees bending with the jolt, and the attendant helped her unclip. Bella’s cheers carried across the platform, her face still lit with delight.
Moments later, the cable sang again. Connor barreled down the line, calm and controlled, a grin splitting his face as he came in for a smooth landing. He made it look effortless. Of course he did.
When he straightened and tugged off his helmet, his eyes found Mac immediately. “Reckless,” he said, his gaze sparking. “Terrifying. Completely unstoppable.”
His voice dropped, his grin softened, something deeper flickering underneath. “I mean that in the best way.”
Mac tugged off her own helmet, her breath still coming fast. She couldn’t help but smile back.
The line thrummed again, louder this time. Callum came barreling down with a whoop big enough to make half the waiting crowd look up. He landed at a near run, ripped off his helmet and grinned like he’d just conquered the world.
Bella threw both arms in the air, nearly knocking her helmet askew. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with triumph. “I actually did it!”
“You did more than that.” Callum slung an arm around her shoulders, his grin wicked. “You didn’t just survive—you crushed it. Pretty soon, you’ll be begging to go skydiving.”
Bella blanched. “Let’s not get carried away.”
Her words earned a laugh from Connor, low and warm beside Mac. “One leap at a time, Cal.”
Mac smiled at the exchange, her gaze drifting between her friend’s giddy triumph and Connor’s steady presence. The air was alive with the scent of pine and the buzz of energy from others in line.
Bella tugged off her helmet, hair tumbling free. “Okay, maybe not skydiving. But you know what? That was…amazing. Terrifying. But amazing.”
“Exactly what I’d say about you,” Connor murmured to Mac, his words meant only for her.
Heat climbed her cheeks, but before she could answer, Callum was already pointing toward the a ropes course, coaxing Bella forward with promises of even more fun.
For once, Mac didn’t mind following.
The four of them walked the winding trail toward the next challenge, boards and ropes swaying high above. Bella and Mac were in front, helmets tucked under their arms, their voices a low hum of laughter that blended with the rustle of the trees.
Connor fell into step beside Callum, who gave him a sidelong look, equal parts knowing and amused.
“You’re different around her,” Callum said lightly. “More present.”
Connor didn’t bother denying it. His gaze drifted to Mac as she laughed at something Bella said, her dark hair brushing against her jaw as she tipped her head back. His chest tightened. “She’s…unexpected.”
“Unexpected can be the best thing,” Callum said, his tone light but steady. “Just don’t overthink it. Sometimes you’ve gotta jump and trust the harness.”
Connor huffed a laugh. “You and your metaphors.”
Callum clapped him on the shoulder, his grin easy. “Hey, it fits.”
Shaking his head, Connor smiled despite himself. “Yeah. It does.”
They walked in comfortable silence, the gravel of the trail crunching beneath their boots, Bella’s and Mac’s laughter carrying just ahead. Connor let the sound wash over him, steady and sure.
He hadn’t expected much from the day, but he knew he’d remember it. Not for the zip line, but for who he was sharing it with.
Mac slowed her pace as the trail curved, letting the noise of the other adventurers fade a little. She glanced sideways at Bella, her cheeks still pink from exhilaration.
They’d checked out the ropes course, but they decided to save that for another time. “The zip line was a blast,” Bella said, “but one adventure in a day is enough for me.”
“It was enough for me, too,” Mac told her friend, though she had to admit—only to herself—that the course looked like fun.
“You know,” Bella said, “it’s okay if you want to stay and do the ropes course with Connor. He invited you, right? Don’t worry about me.”
Mac shook her head, a smile tugging at her mouth. “I’m not ditching my friend for a set of wobbly planks strung between trees.”
Bella laughed, low and warm. “Fair. My legs are still jelly. One leap is plenty.” She tipped her head toward Mac. “But admit it. You wanted to say yes.”
Mac arched a brow. “To what?”
“To him.” Bella’s grin turned sly. “The way he looked at you when he landed? Come on, Mac. That wasn’t just about surviving the ride.”
Heat climbed Mac’s neck, but she kept her voice light. “He looks at everybody like that. It’s just Connor being Connor.”
“Mm-hm.” Bella drew out the sound, clearly unconvinced. “All I’m saying is, if you did want to go back and do the wobbly planks with him, I wouldn’t blame you.”
Mac snorted, shoving her gently with her shoulder. “Nice try. But today’s about you. You were amazing up there, Bella.”
Her friend’s smile softened. “Thanks. I know it’s silly, but I feel…proud. Like I proved something to myself.”
“You should feel proud,” Mac said firmly. “You set a goal and went for it. That takes guts.”
Bella’s eyes glowed at the words. “Maybe. But I think the real guts belong to the woman who stepped off that platform without so much as a squeak.”
Mac rolled her eyes, but couldn’t keep from smiling.
They reached a clearing with water coolers and picnic tables. Mac filled two paper cups and handed one to Bella, who accepted it with a smile that softened the edges of her still-flushed face.
Sure, the morning had been unexpected, and Connor was a pleasant distraction she hadn’t counted on. But Bella’s laughter—her courage—was what made the whole experience magical.