Page 4 of Marrying the Guide
Onno, however, was honest about being new at hiking in the mountains. “I’m from the Netherlands,” he said in an apologetic tone. “We don’t have mountains.”
Alicia, the ten-year-old, looked puzzled. “No mountains at all?”
“No. Most of the country is as flat as a pancake. In fact, half of it lies below sea level, so without our dikes, dams, and locks, it would flood.”
How about that? I’d never known.
“I promise I won’t get you wet this time,” Onno said with a self-deprecating laugh.
“It was no big deal. Seriously.” I held up a compass. “Who knows how to use this?”
“Doesn’t it automatically point north?” Alicia asked.
“It does, but how will that help you if you’re lost?”
Onno raised a hesitant hand. “You need to use it with a map?”
“Ideally, yes, but you’d still have to figure out where you are on the map.” I unfolded the map I’d brought with me. “Who can point out our current location?”
Over the next ten minutes, I explained the basics of navigating using a compass and handed them all a copy of the map. “Sometime during our hike, I’ll ask each of you to show me on the map where we are.”
“You didn’t tell us there would be a test,” Onno said, his eyes twinkling.
“Yup, and if you fail, you have to come to another one of my hikes for a retake.”
Alicia giggled. “You’re funny.”
“We’re going to start by heading up the Cedar Trail, which will loop around by the creek. It’s five miles round trip, with plenty of spots to rest and take in the beauty of our surroundings.”
My gaze landed on Onno. His blond hair seemed almost luminescent in the brilliant sunlight, and he offered me a tentative smile that did strange things to my stomach. And beneath the surface, something else was stirring. SomethingI hadn’t felt in a long time. Something that whispered of possibilities.
But I’d have to focus on my job, not on pretty Dutch men. “Any questions before we begin?”
“Will there be bears?” Alicia asked, wide-eyed with innocence.
“Only the friendliest.” I winked at her, eliciting another giggle. “But seriously, they tend to keep to themselves. We’re more likely to see deer or maybe even an eagle.”
That got me grins and thumbs-up, and we set off for our three-hour hike in good spirits. On longer or more remote treks, we always had two guides per group, but Jason—my boss and the owner of Rock Adventures—entrusted me with the responsibility of handling this one by myself.
Morris, half of the older couple, took the lead after I pointed him toward the trail, and I made up the rear. Onno walked in front of me, and I discreetly checked his gear. His boots were of good quality, though they looked brand new. Hopefully, he wouldn’t get blisters. Not breaking in new boots was a rookie mistake you could pay dearly for.
He was carrying a sturdy daypack with plenty of water and wearing long hiking pants and an REI T-shirt. He’d followed our checklist to a T, not surprising for someone whose job required attention to detail.
We crossed small streams and navigated around rocks jutting out like nature’s stepping stones. The first ten minutes went without incident, but then Onno started to have trouble keeping up. He trudged with determination, but the stumbles in his stride showed his struggle. It was clear the terrain was more challenging than he’d anticipated, yet his jaw was set and his eyes fixed on the path.
Should I call out to Morris and ask him to slow down? Better not. Onno seemed sensitive, and I didn’t want to embarrass him.He’d taken his mishap during the kayaking tour hard, and I didn’t want him to feel bad about himself again.
Instead, I tapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
I walked past the others, discreetly checking them, pointing out a woodpecker to Alicia, and caught up with Morris. “Can you slow down a little? We need to stay together as a group, and some are having trouble keeping up with your pace.”
Morris looked guilty. “Of course. Just holler if I go too fast again. Ruthie is always complaining that I jog instead of walk.”
“It’s true.” His wife shot an exasperated look at her husband. “And then I have to remind him he’s a good foot taller than me and my legs are much shorter.”
I chuckled. “When I’m alone, I always walk fast, but thank you. I appreciate you taking the lead.”
I let everyone pass me again, signaling they should wait until Onno had caught up. I hiked back to him. He was huffing and puffing as he labored up the mountain, his face red.