Touch of Eternity(19)

The street and parking lot were way behind us as we wandered along the path under the impressive viaduct spanning the valley. A stony riverbed ran parallel to the path, and the quiet gurgling and swishing of the crystal clear water was like music. Butterflies fluttered in colorful clouds around the yellow blooming plants on the riverbank.

“So,” I said. “This is the bridge Harry Potter crosses when he goes to Hogwarts?”

“Yes, Scotland offers many magnificent backgrounds for Hollywood blockbusters.”

“It’s unbelievably beautiful here. I think I could stay here forever.”

“Forever? You don’t know how long that is!”

A dark shadow crossed Payton’s face, and he left me standing alone on the path. It seemed I was always saying the wrong thing.

Payton took two steps toward the water and sat down on a large rock, where he took off his socks and army boots. Barefoot, he waded into the middle of the shallow stream. After a short moment of hesitation, I set my shoes next to his and dipped my toes in. And whoa—was it icy!

“Oh my God,” I called out. “This is awful! How are you not freezing?”

Payton smiled, and I must have gone crazy, because I gritted my teeth and waded toward him. It was hard to get a grip on the slimy stones under my feet, and I could just see myself slipping. Fortunately, Payton had stopped on one of the rocks jutting out of the middle of the stream, and he waited there until I reached him. I sat down and rolled up my clammy, wet jeans. The material felt icy on my calves, and goose bumps spread over my entire body.

The afternoon glow of the sun was hitting the viaduct at an angle and making it appear to glow against the sapphire-blue sky. On the riverbank, a row of purple and pink rhododendrons seemed determined to outdo each other with their colorful displays. Payton and I sat next to each other silently and enjoyed the view as crickets chirped and the stream tinkled around our shining little silver island.

After a few minutes, he slid slightly closer to me. His body radiated a comforting warmth. I wondered if he was thinking of putting his arm around me. But I knew I had to go. I’d already missed one bus, and I didn’t want to miss another.

“Payton?” I whispered, so as not to destroy the magic of the moment too abruptly.

“Yes?”

His voice was very close to my ear, and his warm breath caressed my neck.

“I’m afraid I have to go back to the bus.”

“I’m afraid I knew that you were going to say that.”

But neither of us got up.

“You’re going back by bus?”

“That’s how I came.”

Payton raised an eyebrow. “Really? With those gossipy ladies? I can give you a ride, instead, if you want.”

My common sense was practically yelling into my ear, Are you crazy? You don’t know him at all! He could be a lunatic serial killer!

“That’s awfully nice of you, but I don’t think I should.”

But there was also another voice in my head, and this one was saying, Have you ever met a guy like this before? He’s amazing! Take a risk!

I decided it would be all right if I got Alison’s permission. I was sure she’d be fine with it. But when I called, no one picked up. I just heard Roy’s voice asking me to leave a message.

“Hi, it’s Sam. I just wanted to tell you that I won’t be coming home on the bus. I’m going to get a ride home with a friend. I just wanted to let you know so that you won’t worry. See you soon!”

When I hung up, my heart felt like it was beating in my throat. I had made a decision. I needed to find out more about this spark between me and Payton. My whole body was reacting to him, and I’d never felt anything like this before.

When I looked up at him, a small smile made its way onto his face. “Then we are no longer in a hurry, are we?”

“No, but I should probably tell the bus driver I’m not coming, so he doesn’t send out a missing persons report.”

He stood up and reached out his hand, and we made our way back to the riverbank. My teeth started to chatter, so we started to run. Once I almost slipped, but Payton’s strong grip kept me from falling. Still shaking, we put our shoes on and started back down the path.

“Do you do this often?” I asked quietly.

“What?”

“This.”

“Take a walk?”

“No! Pick up girls in towers and take them wading in freezing-cold riverbeds.” I felt myself flushing, my cheeks turning as bright as the pink rhododendrons.

“I never do this kind of thing! And you? Do you often go off with guys you’ve met in towers, following them into rivers?”

I shook my head, embarrassed. “I’m ridiculously sensible, usually.”