Chapter 22
Pulling up outside the Thompsons” farmhouse, I felt a surge of nervous energy mixed with excitement. Today was the culmination of hours spent meticulously planning our date. When I got home from the station last night, I stayed up late planning every little detail, and I couldn”t wait to see her reaction. The Falls, hidden away, held a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t wait to share that place with her. The Falls were a well known tourist attraction and the primary reason our town got its name Ashwood Falls, but there was a trail I liked to take that led up the backside of the waterfalls. It ended in a spot that was secluded.
Knowing Karis would appreciate a good meal during our adventure, I stopped at Sunny”s diner to pick up her favorite food. Carefully packing it into a backpack along with a blanket and an extra jacket, I wanted to ensure she was comfortable and didn”t get too cold while we were out. February mornings in Tennessee could be chilly, but I was prepared to keep her warm throughout our time together.
As I approach the front door, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of anticipation. Today was Saturday, the perfect opportunity to whisk Karis away from the bakery and her family”s struggles and into nature”s beauty and peace. I did my best thinking and talking with God when I”m out there.
I hadn”t heard an update on Barbra lately. She had stayed pretty secluded in their house except for the weekly appearance at church every Sunday morning. I couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to have to watch one of your parents battle cancer. I wish I could take it away from Karis and relieve the burden she was undoubtedly carrying. Knowing that”s not something I could do, I planned to give her today, a day spent in God”s creation, getting to know each other more.
I couldn’t wait to see the smile on her face when she realizes where we”re headed and how much thought I”ve put into making this day unforgettable for her. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door, ready to sweep her off her feet and embark on our adventure together.
I was met with a warm but slightly guarded expression as Pastor Walter opened the door.
”Good morning, Pastor Walter,” I greet him with a respectful nod. ”Is Karis ready?”
Pastor Walter”s hesitation was palpable as he regarded me before responding. “Morning, Brant. Yes, she”s upstairs. She should be down in a minute.”
”Thank you, sir,” I gave him a reassuring smile, though I could sense his concern lingering beneath the surface.
Just then, the sound of footsteps on the staircase interrupted our stand-off. Karis appeared at the front door, slipping under her dad”s arm, which was still holding onto the door frame. She was wearing a simple yet stunning outfit—a pair of black joggers that molded to her lean legs, paired with a mauve t-shirt and a pair of comfortable sneakers. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and a hint of excitement dances in her eyes. She was holding a hoodie in one hand and her bag in the other.
As I took in her appearance, I couldn’t help but marvel at how stunningly beautiful she looked. Each day, it seemed, she became more radiant, more captivating in my eyes. It wasn’t just her physical beauty that drew me in, though that certainly didn’t hurt, but also her warmth, kindness, and passion for life. With a smile, I offered her my arm as she waved goodbye to her dad, who was still standing in the doorway.
”Be careful,” Pastor Walter called from behind us.
”We will,” Karis called back with an exasperated sigh. ”You”d think I was still in high school with how overprotective he”s being,” she huffed out a laughed.
I led her to the passenger side of my SUV before opening the door and ushering her inside. Once she was seated with her seat belt on, I closed the door and rounded the hood to climb behind the wheel.
”So… where are we going?” She asked, practically bouncing in her seat. It seemed the hesitance from yesterday was long gone, and in its place was a nervous excitement.
”If I told you, it”d ruin the surprise,” I tossed out as I put my SUV in reverse and headed out of town.
She sighed and linked her fingers together, resting her hands in her lap as she stared out the window.
”How”s your mom doing?” I asked hesitantly. I debated bringing this topic up because I didn”t want to make her sad, but I also wanted to know how she was and if they needed anything.
That was one of the perks about living in a small town. The people were practically family, stepping up to help whenever someone was in need.
”Honestly…” she let out a long sigh before shifting in her seat to face me. ”I”m not sure. I keep asking both my parents how she’s doing, but they just keep saying everything is fine.” She paused, shaking her head. “But everything doesn”t feel fine. I feel like they’re lying to Eden and me, and I don”t know what to do about it.”
I could hear a hint of anger in her voice at the secrets she thought her parents were keeping. Before I had a chance to respond, she continued.
”I understand wanting to protect us and all, but we aren”t kids anymore. If there’s something seriously wrong, I want to know. I want to be able to prepare my heart for the worst-case scenario. I want to be able to take advantage of the time I have with her. I feel like they’re robbing us of the ability to cope with the truth.”
“Hmm,” I hummed. I could understand where she was coming from. If it were my mom, I”d also press them for details. I couldn”t find any words that seemed right at the moment, so I just nodded and kept my eyes on the road.
Karis let out a small gasp when I made the turn down the road that led us to the parking lot for the Falls. I glanced at her, liking how she seemed to fit perfectly in my passenger seat. Her right hand flew to her chest when she gasped, and she stared out the window with a look of awe on her face.
”Are we going to the Falls?” Her giddy bounce in her seat pulled a chuckle out of me.
“Yep,” I smiled at her. ”But I bet you”ve never seen the Falls from where I plan on taking you.”
Putting my SUV in park, I reached into the back seat, pulled my pack, and exited the vehicle. I slung the backpack over my shoulders and rounded the back to see Karis already out, staring at the trees lining the gravel parking lot.
I approached her slowly, taking in the way she seemed to light up in this atmosphere. ”Ready?” I whispered in her ear as I stood right behind her.
A shiver raced through her body, and she nodded her head. When she turned to face me, there was a glimmer in her eyes, and she had that bottom lip between her teeth again. I used every ounce of my self-control to keep from leaning in and capturing her lips with mine. Instead, I grabbed her hand and led her to the path that would take us to my favorite spot.
As the trail went on, Karis turned to look at me. ”When did you discover this top-secret spot to see the Falls?” She asked with a hint of humor in her tone.
This playful side of Karis was really growing on me. From what I”ve gathered, she was a very type-A person who didn’t let go and be carefree often. Seeing her like this made me want to make it my mission to bring this side out of her more often.
Remembering she asked me a question, I finally answered, ”It was in high school, actually.” I thought back to that time when football and dating were the most challenging parts of my life.
”With football and school, my time was mostly accounted for during the week, but I would wake up early on Saturday mornings to come watch the sunrise here. It became one of my favorite ways to recenter my heart and mind.” I”d use the time to pray and just enjoy the beauty God created. I didn”t appreciate it as a teenager as much as I do now. The ability to escape and be alone with God. It was something I cherished.
Karis nodded along, seeming content to just listen. We spent the rest of the hike talking about anything and everything, not going too deep but covering all the get-to-know-you topics. We were almost to my spot when I fell back a few paces. I wanted to see Karis take in the view for the first time.
The small gasp that came from her as she took her last few steps to the top has a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I remembered how it felt to see this place for the first time. I gave her a few minutes to take it in as I ambled up beside her.
”Brant,” she whispered.
As we reached the top of the main waterfall, a sense of peace washed over me, coupled with a rush of exhilaration at sharing this moment with Karis. Most people opted for the trail that led to the pond at the bottom of the waterfall, but my favorite spot was just above it, tucked away from the beaten path. To the left, another small waterfall cascaded gracefully into a gentle stream that fed into the pond that sat at the top of the grand waterfall.
I led Karis toward the secluded spot, eager to show her the hidden gem I held dear to my heart. The sound of rushing water filled the air. As we approached, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Karis, marveling at how her eyes lit up with awe and wonder at the sight before us.
Finding a comfortable spot to sit, I pulled out the blanket I brought and spread it out. After a few minutes, we settled in, allowing the beauty of our surroundings to envelop us. I stole a glance at Karis, admiring how the loose pieces of hair that escaped her ponytail danced in the breeze, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the sunlight filtering through the trees.
With a contented sigh, I reach for her hand, intertwining our fingers as we sat in companionable silence, taking in the beauty of the moment together.
”This place is breathtaking. Thank you so much for bringing me here and sharing this special place with me,” the wide smile she gave me was like a shot to the heart. Man, I loved being the one to make her smile like that. I loved knowing I could bring her joy in the chaos that was her life in this season.