Day 17:
Deep Creek Hot Springs
2,342 Miles to Go
Belle
After a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon—yum—we check out of our hotel and head for a nearby sporting goods store that opens early for the fishing crowd. Nova offers to watch our gear while the rest of us head inside.
“What are we looking for?” I ask, glancing at a display of Big Bear Lake T-shirts.
“If you want your perfect cup of coffee, I need an espresso maker,” Grinder answers. “Preferably a small one.”
I roll my eyes as I follow him. “Of course you do.” I should’ve guessed it would be what he was after when he asked to stop here.
Ahead of us, Bats sticks his head out of an aisle. There’s the hint of a smile on his face, but his gray eyes, normally as dark and foreboding as storm clouds, are brighter, almost twinkling. He’s obviously enjoying being here. “Found them.”
Grinder and I turn into an aisle full of cooking equipment for camping and backpacking, including coffee pots, most of which are too big for us. “Which one?” Grinder asks.
Bats chuckles. “Straight to it, huh?”
Grinder huffs. “You’re going to tell me which one to buy, anyway.” Bats grins and shrugs. “Ugh. Fine.” He picks up the first box and starts looking it over.
“Why would Bats tell you what to get? I thought you were the coffee expert?” I ask, checking out a two-burner camp stove. Bats and Grinder pause and turn toward me, looking like I’ve missed something. Bats’ explanation of his name snaps to the front of my mind. “Oh! Wonderful toys. Got it. This is our Tech Knight in his element, huh?” I ask, playing on the Dark Knight nickname of Bats’ namesake.
Grinder rolls his eyes, but Bats roars with laughter. “The Tech Knight. I love it.” Bats nudges Grinder. “I keep telling you we’re keeping her around.” He snags the box Grinder’s pulled down and puts it back before grabbing one from the top shelf. “This one. Light, compact, more durable, and the brand is better than the other two, by a lot.”
Grinder takes the box, turning to leave the aisle. “Thanks. Can we go now?”
While Grinder hurries out of the aisle, Bats steps in front of me, catching me in his penetrating gaze. “I mean that,” he says with a softness in his voice.
“Mean what?” I ask hesitantly. His presence can be as intimidating as the real Batman. He played linebacker? I’d hate to have been his target on the field. It’s not hard to imagine him being the reason opponents felt sore after the game. But standing this close to him, I’m not threatened. Rather, next to him, I’m guarded. Protected. He could wrap me in his arms and I wouldn’t feel the slightest pressure.
His smile and eyes are warm as he replies, “That we’re keeping you around. Right?”
I take a deep breath, as memories of the previous night flood my mind, both good and bad. Letting it out, breath and all, I answer with conviction, “Yeah. I’m staying.”
Bats nods, then drapes an arm around my shoulders as he leads me out of the aisle. “Good. I’m glad Nova convinced you.”
Nova’s style of convincing comes to mind, making my lips tingle. “Somehow, I get the feeling you never doubted which way I’d decide.”
Bats chuckles as we approach the checkout stand. “No. I was pretty sure Nova wouldn’t have to work too hard to get you to stay. I think you like us too much.”
I shrug. “Well, most of you,” I say with a pointed look at Grinder as he finishes paying and heads for the door.
Bats chuckles again. His head turns toward something as he nudges me toward the door. “Let the guys know I’ll be right out,” he tells me, gazing toward a display of closeout items.
Grinning, I head outside to find Grinder and Nova waiting. “Bats says he’ll be right out.”
Grinder sighs, a mix of annoyance and resignation. “Must have spotted something shiny. Fine. He can have five minutes, then I’m going in and dragging him out.” He turns his back to me and Nova as he opens his new coffee maker.
Taking Nova’s hand, I lead him a short distance away from Grinder. Pulling him close, I reach a hand up to tilt his head toward me and place a quick but tender kiss on his lips. “Thank you,” I tell him. Nova flashes me that playful smile that warms me like a day at the beach. His expression brightens like a kid who’s discovered a new favorite toy. Staring into his deep blue eyes, I know he’ll take much more care in playing with me than my ex.
“For what?” Nova asks.
“For convincing me to stay.” I kiss him again, deeper and with more passion than the first, letting my gratitude flow through my lips. “For being patient with me.”
Nova wraps me in a hug that warms me to the core. He pulls back, but only enough to place a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’re worth it, Belle. Although, fair warning, I may kick the shit out of your ex if I ever meet the asshat.”
I groan, giving his chest a playful smack. “Don’t do that. I don’t need you fighting for me. I can take care of him myself.”
“Good. We can get going,” Grinder says. Bats is shoving something in his bag as we turn to rejoin them. To my surprise, Grinder hefts my pack up. I squint at him, trying to figure him out. He rolls his eyes and helps me into the straps. “Well, princess? Are we going to fuck around all day? Or are we going to hike?”
A sassy response comes to mind, but between last night’s attempt at fucking around and Grinder’s helpful action, I choose to suppress it. Taking Nova’s hand in mine, I tell him, “No. I think I’m ready to move on.”
As we head back toward the lake, Nova squeezes my hand, letting me know he’s here to help me do just that.
***
After a quick stop at the post office to drop my new blouse in the mail, we head over to the hostel. Ron and Polly, the couple that gave us the ride into town yesterday, are back again this morning, loading hikers into the back of their truck.
“You two are the definition of Trail Angels,” I tell them as we approach.
Polly dismisses my comment with a wave of her hand. “Nonsense. We never would have completed any of our treks without a little magic along the way. We’re just repaying kindness in kind. But you’re the hikers today. Where can we take you?”
“The trailhead on Van Dusen Canyon Road?”
“You’re in luck,” Polly replies with a warm smile. She waves toward the two hikers already in the back of Ron’s truck, who I recognize from the get together at the tavern last night. “We were about to take them up there. Hop in, if you’re ready.”
Thirty minutes later, Ron and Polly drop all of us off at the trailhead. We’re skipping about nine miles of the trail, but I had planned on skipping that portion anyway since I was going to have to walk to and from the trailheads.
We let the couple head out first. They get about fifty yards ahead of us before I turn to the guys. “Ready?”
Grinder sighs, still disappointed with the outcome of our bet. “Go ahead, Belle. Lead the way.”
With a satisfied grin, I turn to head down the trail.
It doesn’t take long for my grin to disappear, however. The undergrowth thins out and blackened tree trunks speak to a simple truth of these parts. Wildfires. Although the trunks bear the marks of the devastation, there are also signs of regrowth in this area. Wildflowers mix with small, green seedlings growing between burned logs. In time, this section will be as green as it was before the fire, and thus, the cycle of the forest’s life continues.
Ten miles in, the revving of dirt bikes and ATV engines grows louder. Riders enjoying the many tracks up here. We pass a noisy campground and head further uphill. Past the campground, the local flora improves, as sagebrush gives way to towering Ponderosa pines. When we reach the next campsite, next to a small gurgling stream, it’s tempting to call it a day. Instead, I call for a break. As I sip on my water hose, I open the map app on my phone.
Nova takes a seat next to me. “This looks like a cozy spot.”