I’d been running every morning since I was a freshman in high school. I knew I had to be fast and tough to make the football team, so I’d started my routine at an early age. That dedication and drive had gotten me far in the sport I loved, and even though I no longer played the game, that routine was still a part of me. There was nothing like starting the day with the fresh morning light on my face and the sound of my feet hitting the ground.
I was about a half mile in when I heard it … not the sounds of the birds chirping, or the twigs crackling as they fell to the ground, but the high strains of someone who could not carry a tune.
I didn’t like to run with headphones on, preferring the sounds of nature as I let my head clear, but when I broke through the trees, I saw that Zoey liked to listen to music as she ran.
She was a few feet ahead of me, but running at much slower pace, so I throttled back a bit, not ready to pass her.
She was wearing hot-pink running shorts with a matching tank, her long sable hair pulled back into another ponytail, which swished back and forth as she ran. Her voice cracked as she sang along with her music, loudly, obviously expecting to be alone out on the trail.
When Zoey raised her arm and started bumping her fist along to the music, I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer.
“Ahhhh!” she yelled when my laugh penetrated her ear buds, causing her to turn in surprise. She yanked the buds out of her ears and placed a hand against her chest as she came to an abrupt stop. “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” I said, holding my hands up and trying to sound contrite.
“I didn’t know anyone else was out here…” Her eyes were wide as she took me in.
“I try to run every morning. I’m usually alone, since my cousins wouldn’t get up and run unless they were being chased.”
Zoey laughed softly, pushing a few strands of hair off of her slightly sweaty face.
“I don’t run every day, but when I woke up and saw what a beautiful day it was, it seemed like a waste not to get out and enjoy it.”
“Care if I join you?” I asked, gesturing toward the trail.
She didn’t need makeup, her face was interesting and beautiful without it, but the slight flush to her cheeks made her even more so. I felt a stirring in my blood as my eyes wandered, registering just how nice and tight her body looked in her running clothes.
We need to get moving…
“Sure,” Zoey replied, turning to start a slow jog.
I matched my cadence with hers, and was pleased when she left the ear buds out, letting me know she was open to talking as we jogged.
“Did you sleep well?” I asked, suddenly unsure what to say to this woman without scaring her off.
“Yes, wonderfully, actually. I usually have a tough time getting to sleep, but it must have been the fresh air or something, because I crashed almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.”
“I find that I always sleep better when I’m here.” Jeez, I sounded like an uptight idiot.
Get it together, Gabe…
“Uh,” I cleared my throat
. “What are your plans for today?”
“I have some writing to do,” she said, then paused before adding, “But if you need help with anything for the camp opening, just let me know. I want to repay you for your hospitality.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I assured her, not wanting her to feel like she owed me anything. “But, we were planning to head to the lake a little later. Check out the paddleboats, canoes, and the docks. Make sure everything’s safe and ready for use. Of course, that means we’ll have to play around a little bit at the lake, if you’re up for it.”
Zoey turned her head toward me, her teeth flashing as she smiled.
“That sounds perfect.”
“Great, I’ll come by and get you, let you know when we’re ready to go.”
We jogged the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts as the morning sounds filled the air.
It was nice. Easy. And I found myself looking forward to the sight of Zoey in her bathing suit.