Page 110 of Yours To Hold
“That’s beautiful, Willow.”
“Can we print it when we get home?”
“Of course.”
She runs back up the trail.
“I love how much she loves photography because of you.”
I smile, linking hands now with Mason as the sound of waterfalls draws us farther into the trees. Even though it’s the middle of summer, we have the trail to ourselves. I like that it’s just the three of us out here.
“Are you sick of all of her pictures covering the wall?”
“Not at all. I love it.”
Instead of her paintings, now her photos—mostly the mountains, flowers and Daisy—cover the walls of our house.
Our house.
While I stayed at my studio apartment in town for a few months, I spent most free nights at Mason’s. We made it official this past spring.
I let out a sigh. “I’m going to miss her.”
Mason squeezes me closer to him. “Don’t remind me. I know it’ll only be a few weeks before school starts, but I’m already dreading it.”
Leaning up, I nip at Mason’s jaw. “Maybe I can do something to take your mind off it.”
Mason growls. “Damn it, Ivy. Not now. We can’t do anything here.”
“Giving you a preview of later.” Patting his chest, I run up the path toward Willow.
Willow is pointing around the curve in the trail. “I found the waterfall.”
The roar is louder up here as the path spits us out at a small waterfall. Rocks line the plunge pool. A rainbow cuts through the mist.
It’s a little slice of heaven. Only for us. We’re the only people out here.
“Wow.”
Willow’s got her camera out, snapping pictures.
“Holy shit,” Mason breathes behind me. “They weren’t kidding about this place.”
I grab my own camera and take pictures myself. I want to remember every bit of this trip. As I’m snapping pictures, Mason runs through the viewfinder, jumping into the water.
“Damn, that feels good.”
Willow sets her stuff down and follows her dad into the water.
“Are you coming, Ivy?” she asks when she pops up from the water. Her eyes are bright and happy.
“Give me a minute.”
Willow swims over to Mason, leaping into his waiting arms. I snap a photo before getting down to my swimsuit and jumping in.
The water is ice-cold. It’s like icicles are sticking to my skin.
“It’s freezing.” I wipe the water from my eyes.
