~ Chapter Ten ~

A tune jingled from Madison’s cell phone. Her hand fumbled across the bedside table—she found the insensitive device and shoved the noisy thing beneath a pillow without shutting off the alarm. “Ugh. Shut up.” One arm slung over her eyes to avoid the moonbeams streaming through partially open drapes. A heavy sigh spilled from her lips, and she threw the blanket over her head. “Today is the day we hike Palo Duro,” she whispered. “Get up, girl.”

One leg wiggled out from beneath the cover, then the other. Finally, she crawled to her feet. Last night, she’d showered and laid her hiking attire across the chair. The rest of her gear waited in the corner along with her boots—a little worn but in good shape.

Dressed, she gathered her backpack and boots. Despite the creaky steps, she made it downstairs without disturbing her parents. Those noisy stairs had always given her away when she wanted to sneak out during summer breaks.

She dropped her gear near the back door and glanced through the window for her friends. “Maybe I’ll have time for at least one cup of coffee.” The coffeemaker dispensed a single serving, so she didn’t have to wait for an entire pot to brew.

While she waited for that single cup to be ready, her mind drifted to the day recently when she met Jimmy John for a burger after she returned home from a partial day shopping with Abbi. His countenance had changed, and she’d noticed. But why?

The coffee stopped, drawing her from the reverie. Within minutes, hazelnut latte aroma filled the room, her favorite morning eye-opener. She withdrew the cup from the machine and took a sip. “Hmm.” Relaxing, she revisited what happened at Toodie’s. After Abbi arrived at the table, he went from being serious to the friend he’d always been. He’d worn a crisp, white shirt that kind of made him look like a guy waiting for a date. He’d never worn those clothes unless he went to church or had a special event. But something was different with him. For a moment, I could feel every beat of his heart.

“Nah. He couldn’t have been waiting for someone. Surely, he’d say so.” Madison shook off the weird thoughts and focused on a pleasant hike with two of her friends. Even though Jimmy John hadn’t told Abbi and her which trail they’d be on, she knew the day would be great. Nature alone makes the hike perfect and worthwhile.

While lacing her boots, gravel crunched beneath tires outside, drawing her attention. A set of headlights meandered up the driveway. Blacky. She’d recognize the vehicle anywhere. “Where is Abbi?” A quick glance at the clock. “She should have arrived. Must’ve overslept.”

Madison set her cup in the sink, grabbed her stuff, and met Jimmy John on the back porch. “Morning.”

He took two steps up onto the porch and smiled at her. “Morning. I’m ready when you are. Is Abbi here?”

Another set of headlights turned off the main road. “Yep, she just pulled into the driveway.”

“Good. Time to get moving. Are we still taking your truck, Madi?”

“Sure. I’ll drive, but I need to have some sort of idea where.” Madison shrugged.

Jimmy John laughed.

“Shush. You’ll wake the house.”

He clamped a hand over his mouth. “Sorry. The location is on my GPS. Let’s wait until Abbi joins us, and I’ll tell you the secret location. Besides, we should pray for travel grace. Last week at Toodie’s was good, don’t you think?”

“Always is. What makes you believe they’re bad? Did they change cooks?”

Jimmy John started to say something like usual, but Abbi bounded onto the porch.

“Sorry I’m late.” She set her backpack down along with the water pack.

“Just a little. One way or another, a few minutes won’t make a difference. You got everything?” Madison pointed to the pile.

“Yep. How about you guys?”

Madison nodded. “Jimmy John, did you bring your cooler with the extra water?”

“Sure did. In Blacky’s bed. I’ll load our stuff while you shut the door.”

“Thanks.” Madison glanced at where Bandit lay. He was curled up in almost a ball, his tail wagging. She strolled over and petted him. “You keep the place safe. Mom and Dad are still sleeping. Bye, my sweet buddy.”

Before they settled into Madison’s truck, they clasped hands, and Jimmy John offered the travel prayer for safety and to enjoy God’s glorious handiwork without incident.

On the two-hour drive to Palo Duro Canyon, the group made one pit stop to grab a quick breakfast on the go. The landscape went from lush green fields to sparse desert hills and valleys, and various colors popped at every turn. When they arrived at the canyon, the sun had risen enough to shine across the countryside and give the group a spectacular view of the rocky hills.

Madison found her heart awed on every visit to the canyon. What God had gifted the world with was downright gorgeous. She was grateful to witness them, and today, her friends were here to experience the glory alongside her.

They pulled into the parking lot and unloaded their gear. With their water packs and backpacks in place, they reviewed the trail information board. Madison snapped a few pictures with her cell phone.

Abbi cocked her head. “Why did you take a picture?”

She laughed. “Because I get lost in my own backyard, and I don’t plan on doing it today. Besides, this trail is new to us, and if we don’t take the right branch or leader path, we can look at my pic.”

“Even if you don’t get lost, you have the ranger’s phone number, just in case.” Jimmy John pointed at the board. “Okay, guys, if you’re ready, let’s hit the trail.”

Madison and Abbi gestured to the mouth of the path. “You first,” Madison said. “We’ll follow.”

“Ladies, our adventure awaits. Here we go.” Jimmy John nodded and led the way.

The gravel footpath Jimmy John selected for their hike in Palo Duro Canyon showed a scenic view of hills and valleys. Jimmy John stopped on the trail just ahead of the ladies. “Look,” he whispered, pointing at a hawk that swooped inches off the earth and then flew into the sky with a rodent in its talons. I missed the chance to get a picture. He withdrew his cell phone from his back pocket. I’ll get the next one.

Madison touched his shoulder, and he glanced around, returning her smile.

“I got a pic of the hawk after he scooped up that rat.” She handed him her cell.

The three gathered closer to view the image on Madison’s phone. “You got an excellent shot of him. I wish his wingspan could’ve shown the scale and size to do him justice. He is definitely an adult male hawk. Probably could’ve taken away a small dog. I’ll be ready for the next nature experience. You girls ready to continue?”

Abbi nodded. “Ready when you are. Lead the way.”

Jimmy John returned Madison’s phone, and his finger touched hers. The contact sent a zing up his arm and straight to his heart. He shook off the constant tug of attraction for Madison. Someday, I’ll tell you how I feel.

Halfway up the trail, they came to a split in the path. Jimmy John opened the map. “The left path leads to a higher plateau, circles around, and goes to a lower area that is a mile longer.” He shielded his eyes and took notice of the sun’s location. “The right takes us to the lower path and back to the parking lot. It’s getting hotter, and the humidity is rising—no clouds are in the sky. The second one should only take us about thirty minutes.”

Madison pulled out a bandana, removed her sunglasses, and swabbed her face. “You’re right about the weather. Abbi, how do you feel about taking the path to the right? We don’t need to push too hard with these temperatures. Our next hike can be later in the season or next spring.”

“You guys choose which one we take. I’m good with either.”

“I didn’t know how much heat you can withstand, so I wanted that decision to come from you, ladies. I checked the forecast before we left, but they said nothing about a heat wave.” He consulted the weather app on his cell again. “Glad we arrived early. The temp will rise to nearly a hundred degrees. So what have you guys decided?”

Madison leaned in to view Jimmy John’s cell and the app. “Looks like the lower path is the safest. All right by you, Abbi?”

“Absolutely. I planned to hike to the summit for photos. Later in the season will be better. More color will be here. I’m ready when you guys are.”

The three headed toward the right fork of the path with Jimmy John in the lead. He wished to hike the summit with Madison, but Abbi said waiting until later in the season was better, and she’d be right. Jimmy John left well enough alone. He didn’t want the ladies to be overwhelmed by the heat or take on heat exhaustion.

Ten minutes on the trail, someone screamed. He turned around. Abbi had slid off the path, gripped a short shrub, and held tight to Madison’s hand. Leaving nothing to chance, he took hold of both the lady’s wrists and pulled. Jimmy John strained against the odds of the weight being too much for one man to handle. He silently prayed for strength to keep both ladies from slipping down to the valley floor.

His muscles bulged with one more tug using all his strength, then Abbi and Madison were lying beside him, breathless. “Are you two okay?”

Abbi grimaced when she gripped her ankle. “No. Oww!”

Madison pulled off her backpack and withdrew the first aid kit. She gently removed her friend’s sock and boot. The injured ankle had already swollen and was red with anger.

How can we transport her to the ranger station or truck? Ideas swamped Jimmy John.

Madison’s tender touch eased the anxiousness of her friend. After she bandaged the injury and gave Abbi over-the-counter pain meds, she asked her to stand. Terror crossed her face.

“What if my ankle is broken? It might make it worse?”

“Madi, she’s right. Help her to her feet, but Abbi, don’t put any weight on the injured one.” He slipped off the injured girl’s packs and removed his as well. “I’ll take you by piggyback down to the truck, and we’ll get you to the emergency room for x-rays.”

Abbi did as Jimmy John instructed.

“Madi, can you carry our packs?”

“Sure. You head out, and I’ll follow.” She put her packs back on and carried the other four.

“We’ll go slow. Madi, tell me if the backpacks are too tough for you to carry, and we’ll take a break.”

Madison nodded. “I will.”

On their trek to the truck, Jimmy John struggled not to slide on the loose gravel with the extra weight. But a friend needed him, and he couldn’t deny his help. Thank God they had taken the shorter path, only a half mile from the parking lot.

“Jimmy John, I’m sorry.” Abbi whispered.

“For what?” He glanced over his shoulder.

“I wasn’t watching my step when I stopped to take a picture.” She sniffed.

“You’re fine. You had an accident.” He bounced once. “Can I call you butterball?” He chuckled.

“Let’s not get too silly, my friend. Besides, I lost a few pounds after that stomach bug thing.”

Jimmy John laughed. “I’ll save that nickname for another occasion.”

They stopped for one break and arrived at the parking lot faster than Jimmy John figured. After loading Abbi into the truck’s backseat, they headed to the nearest emergency room in Canyon.

All three contacted their parents to tell them what had happened and that they’d be late getting home. Being in Madison’s company was well worth a few extra hours away from home for Jimmy John.