Curiosity in these mountains has proven to be unwise. You leave the locked door alone and check on your clothes. They're pretty dry so you go ahead and change while Hunter is occupied in the shower. Shortly after that, he comes out of the bathroom and makes you both breakfast.

Pretty soon, the rain stops and the both of you head back out to the trail. It's only another mile up to the summit of Mount LeConte.

The view from the summit of the mountain is worth every aching muscle you have.

Thankfully, the trip back down the trail is entirely uneventful. It probably helps that you took a different path down. When you arrive at the trail head again, Hunter opens the door to his vehicle for you. The drive back to the ranger station is mostly quiet, but he takes your hand in his and the silence is comfortable.

Seeing your rental car again is like seeing civilization for the first time in ages. Hunter opens your door to let you out, and in his eyes are a million words. But all he does is smile and lean down, brushing his lips against your cheek in a light kiss. "Have a safe trip home, ma'am."

You watch as he leaves, taking with him a world of possibility.

You could stop him. Tell him what you're feeling.

It would be crazy.

[If you call out to him, go to chapter: Forty Four]

[If you let him go, go to chapter: Forty Two]