Grace took a deep breath and let out a happy sigh. The fresh air was a balm against the abrasive two-hour car ride. How two girls could fight so much, Grace had no clue, but neither girl would stop bickering. Even when Grace turned on the radio, they kept going.

The only thing both girls had in common was their distaste for Grace. Neither girl listened to her, nor did they talk to her when she asked a question. It was like she didn't exist. However, Grace refused to be discouraged. She'd get these girls to like her. She just had to.

"Do you remember this trail or do you need a map?" Miles asked her. They were standing at the entrance of the trail, waiting for the teenagers to put on their hiking backpacks. In the car ride, Grace had learned the school provided them for the kids since most couldn't afford it.

"I remember." They'd hiked Canyon's Ridge right before they broke up. It was the last place they'd been happy. It was also the last place they kissed.

"How long are we hiking for?" Pacey asked.

Miles responded, "Three miles today. We'll stop at Meadow Creek for the night then hike back tomorrow." It wasn't a rigorous hike, but there were a few steep inclines that were difficult.

"What if we have to go to the bathroom?" Ash asked, looking worried.

Miles motioned around him. "This is your bathroom. Although, make sure you're away from the trail and any body of water."

Ash's jaw dropped. "What about toilet paper?"

Corrine let out a lofty sigh. "You were supposed to bring some. It was on the handout Mr. Dalby gave us. Didn't you read it?"

Ash put a hand on her hip. "Not all of us have time to worry about stuff like that. Some of us have more important things to do."

"Like what? Getting arrested?" Corrine taunted.

Ash's face flushed. "At least I keep my fists to myself."

Corrine stilled, her chocolate eyes widening with alarm. She glanced around and saw the whole group was listening. Corrine quickly dropped her head, shame staining her cheeks. "Whatever. Good luck going to the bathroom. I'm not giving you any of my stuff."

A red flag went up in Grace's mind. Was this why Corrine was in the program? For getting into a physical fight? And what had Ash done that had gotten her arrested?

So many questions swirling around, but Grace had more pressing matters like stopping them before they started bickering again. "I brought extra toilet paper," Grace said, stepping in. "You can have some, Ash. Plus, I have hand sanitizer."

True to form, Ash gave her the cold shoulder. Scrunching up her nose, she turned to Miles and said, "This is so gross. Why would anyone do hike for fun?"

"Because we get to be in the great outdoors," Miles answered. "No phones. No distractions."

"No phones?" Ash asked, her jaw dropping.

"Nope. Hand 'em over," Miles said. "And let's go over some ground rules."

As Miles talked, Grace became impressed. Not only did he have a way of making a cell-less trip sound fun, but the kids listened to him. They respected him. Grace wondered what he did to earn that trust.

"—and if you need to stop or have a break just let Grace or I know. Okay?"

Once everyone was set, Miles took the lead and started up the trail. The group followed—the boys first, and the girls second—with Grace bringing up the rear. As they walked, Grace began to understand the dynamics of the group.

Pacey was the leader. If he did something, everyone else did it too. However, he rarely gave orders. That was all Corrine. She liked things certain ways and directed the group, which conflicted with Ash who refused to be ordered around. And if anyone contradicted Ash or disagreed with her, she lashed out. And poor Hugo just went along with whatever was happening, never really having an opinion or saying anything.

The first mile came and went without incidence. The trail was fairly flat since they were passing through a wooded area thick with trees that towered over them. Grace was worried for Hugo though. His combat boots weren't appropriate for hiking, but he brushed off her concern with a grunt.

The next mile took them out of the forest, past a stream, and up a small mountain. The path zigzagged back and forth to make the ascent easier, but it was still a workout. Grace could feel her thighs burning with every step.

"I gotta take a break," Ash called out, her breath coming out choppy. Panting, she put her hands on her thighs and leaned over.

Grace stopped next to her. "You need to stand up and put your hands on top of your head. It'll help you get air to your lungs faster." It was a trick she learned from her Aunt Penny.

Ash ignored her.

"Just try it," Grace told her. "It really does work. Promise."

Ash's lips thinned. "Leave me alone."

The hostility in Ash's voice wounded Grace, but she refused to let it show. "I'm not the bad guy here, Ash. I'm here to help."

"Please," Ash scoffed. "You're here because your mom made you. You didn't want to come."

The outburst gave Grace pause. Was that why they were snubbing her? Grace wasn't forced into coming on the trip. She could have backed out if she wanted, but the truth is, she didn't want to. Especially after meeting the group. Sure, they were difficult, but that made Grace even more determined to earn their trust.

"I did fill in for my mom, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy to be here," Grace replied.

"Because of Mr. Dalby. Everyone knows you two used to date."

Ah. Small town gossip at it's finest. "I didn't even know Miles, I mean, Mr. Dalby would here."

Ash snorted. "Right."

"It's true. Something my mother conveniently left out."

"Whatever. You're an idiot for letting him go. If I had someone like that in my life I never would have broken up with him," Ash stated, stunning Grace. Then Ash righted herself and shouted to Miles, "I'm good. Let's go!"

Miles sent Grace a questioning look. Grace, still too stunned by Ash's accusation, just stood there. Did everyone believe she was the one who broke up with Miles? Didn't they know it was the other way around?

"Grace?" Miles called out.

"Yeah?"

"You good?"

The worry in his voice jolted her. Made her wonder what he saw on her face. "Um, yeah. We're good. Continue on."

Miles looked as if he wanted to ask what was wrong, but she shook her head slightly. They could talk about it later. Not that there was much to talk about. They'd dated for eight months their senior in high school. Not long considering most relationships, but the connection they shared had been intense. However, when college acceptance letters started arriving, Miles began to withdraw.

Looking back, it made sense. After all, their futures were looming, and both were going off on different paths, but she'd been a naive eighteen-year-old girl and thought love could conquer all. She'd left Banner Hill with a broken heart.

But as time passed, Grace realized breaking up was for the best. After all, what drew them together had been their need to get away. So she'd stuffed her memories and feelings for Miles in a box and set it aside. It hadn't come up again until she saw him last week at Banner Market. Now she didn't know what to think.

However, none of that mattered because the girls were supposed to be Grace's main focus, so she put Miles and their relationship back in the box and closed the lid. Several times during the hike, she tried to make conversation with them, but every attempt was met with stony silence.

During one of their water breaks, Miles pulled Grace to the side. Whispering he asked, "What happened back there with Ash?"

"Nothing."

"Didn't look like nothing."

"We were just talking. She's got a big chip on her shoulder."

Miles' lips turned down. "She has a rough home life. Makes her think she has to be rough too."

Grace's forehead furrowed. "She's not being abused is she?"

"More like neglect. Her parents are too busy arguing with each other to notice her."

All the frustration Grace felt left as compassion took its place. Now, more than ever, she was determined to help Ash. "Poor girl."

"Don't let her hear you say that. She'll give you lecture on how condescending you are," Miles said wryly.

Grace tilted her head to the side. She was amazed at how at ease they were with him and vice versa. "What's your secret?"

"Secret to what?"

"To getting through to them."

"Takes time. I think mostly they want to know that you're in their corner."

Grace nodded. It made sense but how could she do that when they ignored her? "So how'd you get involved with this program?"

"Seemed like a worthy cause." The casual tone seemed force. Grace eyed him intently, wondering what he was holding back. "Why're you looking at me like that?" he asked.

She could tell he didn't want to talk more about the program, but it wasn't the time to push. Not when they were surrounded by teenagers with curious minds and big ears. "Nothing. We better get back." She turned, but a couple of moments later he called out.

"Hey, Grace?"

"Yeah?" she asked, looking over her shoulder.

His golden skin gleamed in the sunlight. "We're good, right?"

"Why wouldn't we be?"

"I don't know. I guess I thought you'd be pissed because I made you come on this trip."

"Why does everyone think I was forced to come here?" First, Ash and now, Miles. She wasn't some evil villain who refused to do good. She liked helping. "Besides, it's not your fault my mom hurt herself. It was a freak accident. Some may even call it fate."

"Maybe," he conceded. "Then again, maybe not."

"What do you mean maybe not?" Grace watched his lips twitch, and she gasped, "Did you set this up?"

Miles walked up to her and tapped her nose. "Anyone tell you you're cute when you get mad?"

"Miles."

He chuckled. "I forgot how easily you get riled."

"And I forgot how easily you get distracted." She glanced around, making sure the group wasn't listening, but they seemed to be preoccupied with a squirrel sitting on a log.

Miles leaned in. He smelled like freshly cut wood and a hint of spice. "There's only ever been one thing that distracts me so much," he whispered in her ear.

"You're being bad," she whispered back.

"I'm just reminding you."

"Of what?"

"Of us."

"Miles..." Her focus had to be on finding a job, getting through to those girls, not on finding a boyfriend. "I'm not looking for anything."

"And I'm not asking."

But he was. It was there in his eyes, the way he looked at her and as appealing as it was, Grace couldn't give in. Not when it interfered with her plans.

"You guys ready to go or what?" Ash asked, suddenly in front of them. Her green eyes drilled into Grace, accusation written all over them.

Miles took his time stepping away. "We're ready. Go tell the others." He waited till Ash was out of earshot before saying, "This isn't over, Grace."

That's where he was wrong. It was over before it even began.

Grace waited till the group started hiking again before talking to Ash. "It's not what you think," Grace told her, keeping her voice low so no one could hear.

"Doesn't matter what I think."

"Doesn't it? You obviously have some strong opinions."

"Yeah, well, no ever listens to me."

"I'm listening."

"You want to know what I think? Fine." Ash whirled around, her face mutinous. "Other teachers pretend to care about us because it's their job or to win points with the principal. But Mr. Dalby is different. He does it because he's actually interested. He doesn't care where we came from or what we did. He's a good guy, and I don't want to see him hurt all because some stupid lady comes back into town and messes with him."

"Ash, first of all, I agree with you that Mr. Dalby is a great guy. Secondly, I'm not here to mess with him. We're friends. That's it. He knows that."

Pain radiated from Ash's face. "Yeah, well people have a way of pretending they're something that they're not."

Grace could tell Ash wasn't talking about Miles and her anymore. Had someone hurt Ash in the past? "I'm always here if you need to talk. No judgment."

Ash's expression hardened. "I don't need you. For the last time, leave me alone."

As Ash stomped away, Grace began to doubt herself. How could she make a difference in the world if she couldn't even make a difference with one girl?