Chapter 16
COLLIE
“Ready to check off another task on that bucket list, Ranger?”
“Whose bucket list we talkin’ about here? You’re the one whose ass was halfway across the ground before I even made it out of the van.”
He’s not wrong. The moment Easton invited me to Yellowstone, I knew I had to experience a hot spring for myself.
After driving for close to two hours, we stumbled upon this random spring, far from locals and tourists. Getting anywhere in Yellowstone takes ages, so we knew we wanted to find a hot spring that would be worth the drive.
This beauty is tucked between multiple geysers, surrounded by a low-lying valley on one side that leads to a riverbank, and the other side has a multitude of trails and wild animals roaming free.
It’s stunning. I wasted no time running straight toward it, ready to be blown away by the magnitude of it all.
Blown away is an understatement.
From my understanding, Biscuit Basin is the closest hydrothermal geyser from here, allowing the spring to be geothermally heated.
Not necessarily terms I can comprehend. However, I know that heat warms things, and that’s good enough for me.
The directory pamphlet Sheila dropped at our door the other day explained everything we needed to know before visiting most of the springs in Yellowstone.
One of the main necessities being bear spray. I made sure to pack some for each of us because there ain’t no way I’m about to be a black bear’s breakfast.
“Quit your bitchin’ and come look at this,” I tell Easton as I cease my steps, hands on my hips while I take in the view. He settles beside me, and his sharp inhale confirms we’re thinking the same thing.
I’m not sure words or pictures could ever do this justice. It’s spectacular.
Hot steam permeates the air while the waters below are a bold shade of velvety blue and emerald green, mixed with vibrant streaks of orange and yellow. Somehow, the disarray of colors creates something so organic, it feels like we’re witnessing a gift from Mother Nature herself.
“It’s incredible.”
I swing my head toward Easton, curious to know more of what he’s thinking.
“Worth it, right?” He nods, and I continue, redirecting my sights to the spring below us.
“I’ve always been fascinated by nature. It’s mostly why I love to travel so much.
Everywhere I’ve ever been, there’s something different to explore.
Something new to discover. Yet, out of all the places I’ve visited, nothing has ever put me in awe like this does.
I’m not sure I could have imagined this on my own. ”
There’s nearly a few dozen steps leading toward the small hot pool just to the side of the main spring. It’s big enough for twenty people, if not more, but today it’s vacant, aside from us.
I’m fascinated by the way the current stirs the spring to the north, causing the colors to mix into a natural riptide. It’s oddly calming amid what I’m sure resembles chaos when the surrounding geysers erupt.
But today, there’s stillness. An idle vacancy.
“I don’t get to travel much,” Easton announces beside me, eyes trained down the riverbank. “Aside from work, I mean.”
I figured that. He doesn’t strike me as someone who’s well-traveled. He’s got that homegrown energy about him. Nothing wrong with that, just not what I’m used to.
“I could guess that,” I tell him, no judgement in my tone. “Most people live their entire lives without traveling the world. And that’s if they ever travel at all.”
“I hate it.”
“Yeah?”
“I want my life to be different.”
There’s something devastatingly serious about that statement. Another crack in my heart forms. We’re alike in so many ways, but the one thing that makes us different is that Easton has never done anything to change it.
Until now, I’m guessing. If the history with his brother and Sydney he shared with me has anything to do with it, it would make sense.
My hope is for Easton to leave Wyoming confident in who he is, despite what he promised to do or be.
The fact that he cares enough about his brother to make that sort of vow to him shows me what kind of guy he is.
A rarity. Gentle and willing to sacrifice it all for those he loves.
“So, make it different,” I say. “Do something different. Your life is in your hands, Easton. What are you gonna do with it?”
He gazes off in the distance for a moment before whispering, “I wish I knew the answer to that. All I’ve ever wanted is to have the freedom to live the life I want. It’s wild to know I have that now.”
I see so much hurt inside of a man I’ve only ever known to show care and compassion toward me. He’s kind. And kind people are usually the ones who get hurt the most.
The world expects us to be a friend to everyone. To love thy neighbor. But what if we never receive that same kindness in return? Are we supposed to just deal with it and accept the shitty end of every stick?
Bump that.
I’m confident his uncertainty will lead to a beautiful kind of healing. There’s growth in challenge.
“What would Ben do if he were here?”
That got his attention.
“What?” he mumbles, surprised by my question.
I turn to face him fully and take a step closer. Easton’s in his signature gray hoodie with ‘Alaska Power’ on the pocket, jeans, and work boots.
And looking as appetizing as ever.
With his hands stuffed in his front pockets, he gives me his undivided attention, ready to face my question head-on. I’ve noticed that about him. The way he appears reserved in some ways, but it serves to be his greatest strength.
He’s intentional with his words and actions. And there’s something incredibly comforting about a man who doesn’t need to be the center of attention or the star of the show.
He’s perfectly content just existing within.
Easton is meek. Admirably humble. And undeniably tense.
“I said, what would Ben do if he were here? If it were just the two of you out here on a guys’ trip, what would he do?”
I expect him to close himself off and retreat, but again, Easton surprises me and smiles. He’s been doing more of that lately. A wide grin spreads across his cheeks like he just thought of something so incredibly special.
I hope he shares it with me.
He nods to the geyser in front of us. “He’d probably find a way to the other side of that bank just to show off and take a piss off of it.
” His laugh tells me he can imagine it right now.
Oddly enough, I can too. “I’d call him a little bitch for not jumping, and he’d moon me or some shit just because he can. ”
“He sounds like a troublemaker,” I tease.
His chuckle is deep, the raspiness of his voice warming my heart. “Oh, we were hell on wheels together. Any trouble we could find, we made happen. Some of the best times of my life were with him. Sucks he’s gone.”
“I bet he misses you. But I also bet he wants you to remember to live. I know if I lost my sister, she’d want the same thing for me. That’s what family does—they root for each other.”
“It’s not that simple,” he sighs. “He was my best friend, and I broke a promise to him.” He grows silent, eyes never straying from the peak of the geyser above. I can read the room enough to know his memories are headed somewhere deeper. Somewhere more difficult to voice than imagining him here.
I hate that he feels guilty. I may not have known Ben, but I doubt he’d want Easton to live this way.
Reaching for his hand, I direct his attention to me.
“It’s okay to talk about him and allow it to make you happy, Easton.
That can be a way of grieving as well. If Ben is anything like you say he is, I’d bet my last pack of very berry Gushers he forgives you.
And that’s if there’s even anything to forgive.
Sydney is safe, and that’s what’s important.
I guarantee you even have a plan for how you’ll take care of her even more when you get back home. You did your part and then some.”
His nod answers my question. I can see his care without knowing his full story. Heaviness fills his eyes. “I’m not so sure about that, lost girl. It’s been two years, and I still don’t have the answers. I don’t think I ever will. I just have to accept my choices and move on, I guess.”
He accepts the outcome more now than he did even yesterday. That’s progress. Baby steps. We’ve been in Wyoming together for a week, and I’m beginning to care for Easton much more than I expected.
But I can gather that right now, he doesn’t want to talk about the past. He wants to enjoy this moment, and that’s one thing I’m confident I can help with.
“And here I was about to compliment you for how well you’re handling things,” I assure him, reaching to hold his arm.
“Hey, I have an idea. Something I have a feeling the infamous Benjamin Voss would encourage.” Easton looks skeptical, like he knows I’m up to no good.
“Might take your mind off of it,” I suggest, smiling playfully.
“Out with it, Meadows.”
My smile is wicked. “Skinny dipping.” I sound like I’m teasing, but I’ve never been more serious. Call this a part of my plan to loosen Easton up a bit.
No better way than getting naked. And boy do I want to see that man stripped down to nothing.
“Skinny dipping?” he deadpans. “In the hot spring?”
I nod. “That’s what I said, isn’t it? Oh no. Don’t tell me you’re scared?”
His head rears back. “That a fucking challenge?”
Within the last twenty-four hours, Easton’s began to crumble.
I’ve felt his control slipping, slowly chipping away.
In how he reaches for my arm in conversation but lets the touch linger.
Earlier I caught him tracing the water droplets falling down my chest after a shower, making no effort to look away.
Shameless appreciation is all I felt. Like a trophy to be admired.
He’s ready to be reckless with me. I know it.
“You bet your blue-collar ass it is. But I understand if it’s too much for you. Wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with all the fun to be had.”