Tea Leaves & Pine Trees (Northwoods #1)

Prologue Wes

The Summer After 9th Grade

“Come here.” I pull her hand and tug her down the dock. “Close your eyes.”

“Where are we going, Wes?” Rose giggles. I’ve tricked her into coming out here; convinced her parents to let me drive her on my own, and if I’ve done my job well, she has no idea where I’ve led her. Finally, we get to the end and I slowly help her sit down, legs dangling off the dock.

“Do you trust me?” I slip down next to her on the dock. I think about it, then scoot a little closer to her so our legs are touching, ever so slightly. I’m surprised when she leans a little harder into me.

“More than anyone.”

And right then I realize, I’m going to love this girl for the rest of my life.

“Okay, you can open them!” I almost whisper. It isn’t at all quiet where we are, but somehow, with this view, it feels like whispering is the way to go.

She opens her eyes and we gaze out at the vast lake before us. At this part of Lake Superior, and with this dock, you can look forward and see only the water for as far as your eyes can see. I don’t know of anywhere like it and it’s one of my favorite spots to come and sit.

“Wow,” Rose whispers. “It’s amazing.” We sit like that, together, for a while—silently enjoying the beautiful view. I nervously reach out and grab hold of her hand. My heart beats wildly when she grabs it back.

“It’s like sitting on the edge of the world,” I finally say, still nervous about what she’ll think of this whole thing. Does she think this is stupid?

Her response catches me off guard. “It is.” Her eyes widen. “I love it, Wes. Thank you.”

She turns and leans forward to give me a kiss. My heart races and I realize I forgot to grab a breath mint from the car. Too late. The kiss is short and sweet and after, she leans her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. We’ve been together for a little while now, but I’m still not used to this feeling of her in my arms.

“Oh, I forgot. Look down.” We both lean out precariously over the dock, gazing between our feet to see the clearest blue water you’ve ever seen, and the huge rocks below the waves lapping over them.

“Whoa! We should swim in it.” Rose’s eyes are wide with adventure.

“Well we can, if you want to freeze to death.” The lake is always cold, no matter the time of year. And while I’ve ventured into it a few times, it isn’t my favorite.

“Oh, can we try?! Wes, please . . .”

“Are you serious, it’s so cold.” But I already know I’m going to say yes. I can’t possibly say no to her.

“I know, but I think it will be perfect. Let’s try it. Pleeeease!”

I give her a silent nod and we slowly walk off the doc, making our way down to the rocks. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“More than sure, Wes.”

I look away to give her some privacy as she takes off her sweatshirt and pants. Then I do the same.

We walk towards where the water meets the rocks. There are gorgeous stones down there. Some have crystals or agates buried within, others are useless. But they’re all beautiful in this moment here, together. We hold hands and start wading in, goosebumps instantly rise across my arms.

My lips are already chattering but I can’t tell Rose no, so instead land on, “On the count of three?” I look at her and wonder if this is really going to happen.

“On the count of three, we’ll do it together,” Rose says, confidently.

“Together.”

One. Two. Three.