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Having a few more hours of sleep would have been great, but I managed to get up when my alarm sounded at five. I took a quick shower, reminding myself to enjoy it because I wouldn't get another for a few days. I filled up a thermos with coffee and packed up the cinnamon rolls I'd brought from the cafe. With Snickety's hatch and back seat loaded, I headed for Tom's cabin.
The route Tom mapped out for us allowed us to take the ATV trails behind his house to access the national forest. When I pulled up in front of the cabin, Tom was sitting on the porch steps.
"Good morning," he said, walking over. He pulled me into a hug before helping me unload. It was nice. A little more tentative than Chance's last hug, but then Tom and I didn't really know each other as well as Chance and I did.
"Morning. I brought coffee and cinnamon rolls. I forgot we were taking the ATV from here. We can't really eat and drive."
"We can take them along and have them at our first stop. Do you need a caffeine influx before we head out?"
"I'm good. I drank a cup on the way here."
We got my gear loaded on the ATV and went inside so I could use the bathroom before we hit the trail.
"Climb on and get settled," Tom said. "We won't be able to talk much with the helmets on and the noise. If you need me to stop just tap on my shoulder. You can hold onto those handles there beside you, but don't be shy about hanging onto me if you feel more comfortable that way."
Tom drove the first hour, and I settled into riding behind him. The scenery was great as we made our way from the back of Tom's to the forest service road. I felt more secure with my arms wrapped around Tom's waist, than I did holding onto the handles, but it felt too intimate. I could feel his muscles move when I touched his stomach. I didn't know if it was a reaction to me or the trail we were on.
After a little over an hour, Tom pulled the ATV to a stop in a pullout on the side of the road. He got off, then held out his hand to help me do the same. "You doing OK?" he asked, as he set his helmet on the ATV seat.
"I think so. I appreciate that this will get us where we need to be faster. What's the plan?"
We'll ride all day today and part of tomorrow. Then we'll have to hike. Since we aren't sure what your uncle wants you to see, Chance doesn't want us to scare anything off with the noise of the machine. We'll have to hike a few miles to the location."
"Sounds good," I said. After enjoying our cinnamon rolls and coffee, we got back on the ATV and headed off again. As we drove, I tried to find things to think about so I felt like I wasn't just wasting time. I knew Harry wanted me to learn to love the outdoors, but I had to do it on my terms. So far, I didn't hate it. Don't get me wrong, I'd still prefer a five-star hotel with room service to sleeping in a tent and eating MRE's, but I learned that part of what made the outdoor experience enjoyable was the person with you.
After our next stop, Tom let me drive the ATV while we were still on forest service roads that were in pretty good shape. When we stopped for lunch, I asked Tom for his take on the cryptid thing.
"I spend a lot of time out here, and I've seen some tracks I couldn't identify," he said. "I grew up here, and cryptids are part of our heritage around these parts so that probably means I was predisposed to believing."
"Not to change the subject but, has Laurie been giving you the hard sell about me?" I asked.
"No, but since you brought it up, I'm guessing she might be doing that with you."
"A little."
"I’ve tried to convince her that I can find my own dates, but ever since Mark left, she's made it her mission to see me settle down and start a family here in Wilkins’ Gap."
"You're the fire chief and head of SAR. Seems like you're pretty invested in the community."
"I don't know what's gotten into her. It's been worse sent dad got sick. I plan on sticking around, but I'd still like to pick my own dates. In this case, it worked out well for me, so I'm not going to complain." He took my hand as we walked back to the ATV.