Saturday morning broke clear and cold, the kind of crisp that made every breath feel sharp in the lungs. Kai was up early again, helping Marcus haul firewood from the shed to the porch stack. The work warmed him fast—sweat under his flannel despite the frost. By nine, Marcus waved him off.
"Go enjoy your day, son. I've got the garage covered."
Kai had barely mentioned the hike when Lila texted Thursday night: *Sierra and I were thinking Lake Trail tomorrow? Weather's supposed to be perfect. You in?* He'd replied instantly: *Definitely.*
He packed light: water bottle, trail mix, a small first-aid kit Marcus insisted on, and his dad's old Ka-Bar knife on his belt—just in case. Jeans, hiking boots, gray thermal under a black fleece jacket. He caught the mirror on his way out—average build, nothing flashy, but the training showed in the way his shoulders filled the jacket. He nodded at his reflection. Good enough.
Sierra's Jeep pulled into the driveway at 9:30 sharp, tires crunching gravel. Lila rode shotgun; Sierra drove. Both windows down despite the chill.
Lila stepped out first, auburn hair in a loose braid over one shoulder, freckles standing out against pale cheeks flushed from the heater. She wore a fitted emerald-green long-sleeve hiking top that hugged her slender torso and black leggings tucked into sturdy brown boots. A light gray puffy vest added softness, and the whole outfit made her hazel eyes look brighter. She smiled shyly when she saw him.
"Morning," she said, hugging a small backpack to her chest. "Hope you're ready for elevation."
"Born ready."
Sierra circled the hood, ponytail swinging. She'd gone full outdoors today: tan cargo pants with plenty of pockets, a moisture-wicking black tank under an open red plaid flannel, and trail runners that looked broken-in. The tank clung to her toned frame, flannel sleeves rolled to elbows showing strong forearms. Her green eyes sparkled with challenge.
"City boy," she greeted, smirking. "Let's see if those legs can keep up."
He let his gaze linger—down the flat stomach, the curve where tank met pants—then back up. "I'll manage."
She laughed and tossed him a spare walking stick from the back. "You might need this when you're gasping at mile three."
The trailhead was fifteen minutes down a forest service road, a small pullout with a weathered sign: LAKE LOOP – 6.2 MILES – MODERATE. They started single file on the narrow path, pine needles crunching underfoot, air thick with resin and cold earth.
Sierra led, setting a steady pace. Lila fell in middle; Kai brought up the rear—partly to watch for stragglers, mostly because the view was excellent. Lila's leggings outlined every step, braid swaying against her back. Sierra's cargo pants hugged her hips, flannel flapping open as she moved.
Conversation started light—school gossip, favorite music. Lila admitted she'd been sketching more since the bonfire, mostly landscapes but a few faces. Sierra teased her about the "mysterious new profile" in her sketchbook. Lila's ears went pink.
Half a mile in, the trail widened. Kai moved up beside Lila.
"You draw the lake yet?" he asked.
"Not this one. Thought I'd wait till I saw it with better company."
He smiled. "Flatterer."
She glanced sideways, biting her lip. "Maybe a little."
Sierra dropped back to his other side, sandwiching him between them.
"So, Kai," she said, "your dad teach you anything useful out here? Like how not to get eaten by a bear?"
"Stand tall, make noise, don't run. And carry spray if you've got it."
She nodded approval. "Not bad. I've got spray in my pack. Also this." She patted a small holster on her belt—bear spray canister. "Family rule: never hike unarmed."
They climbed steadily. The forest thickened—tall ponderosa pines, occasional aspens with golden leaves still clinging. Sunlight slanted through in shafts, dust motes dancing. Birds called overhead; somewhere a squirrel scolded them.
At the two-mile mark they reached a rocky outcrop with a view down the valley. Hollow Ridge spread tiny below, smoke curling from chimneys. They stopped for water.
Lila leaned against a boulder, breathing steady but cheeks flushed. The green top clung slightly with sweat at her chest and back. She caught him looking and didn't look away this time.
"You okay back there?" she asked softly.
"Best view on the trail," he said.
Sierra snorted. "Smooth."
They pressed on. The path dipped into a meadow bright with late wildflowers—purple asters, yellow goldenrod. Butterflies flickered. Sierra pointed out tracks: deer, elk, something bigger—maybe coyote.
Near mile four the trail skirted the lake—deep blue water ringed by reeds and evergreens, mountains reflecting on the surface. A fallen log made a perfect bench. They dropped packs, ate trail mix and apples.
Lila pulled out her sketchbook, pencil flying over a quick study of the water and peaks. Sierra stretched out on the log, arms behind her head, flannel open, tank riding up just enough to show a strip of sun-kissed skin.
Kai sat between them again, closer this time—thigh brushing Lila's, shoulder against Sierra's.
Quiet settled, comfortable.
After a minute Sierra spoke. "You ever teach self-defense stuff? You move like you know what you're doing."
"Some," he said. "Dad's big on it. Muay Thai, boxing, Wing Chun basics."
Lila looked up from her sketch. "Would you show us sometime?"
"Happy to. Basic stuff—how to break a grab, create space."
Sierra sat up, interested. "Now?"
There was a flat grassy spot nearby. Kai stood, offered hands to help them up. Both took it—Lila's fingers cool and slender, Sierra's warm and callused.
He started simple: stance, how to keep balance. Showed them a basic palm heel strike to the nose, an elbow if someone grabs from behind. Then wrist escapes—how to twist against the thumb.
Sierra picked it up fast, athletic reflexes shining. When he grabbed her wrist to demonstrate, she reversed it smoothly, grinning.
"Like this?"
"Exactly."
Lila was more tentative, but determined. When he took her arm gently, she followed the motion, braid swinging, eyes focused.
"Good," he said, voice low. "You've got it."
She beamed.
They drilled a few more minutes—nothing intense, just enough to feel useful. By the end both girls were laughing, adrenaline bright in their eyes.
Back on the log, Sierra bumped his shoulder. "Thanks. Makes me feel less like bait out here."
Lila nodded. "Me too."
The sun dipped lower, shadows lengthening. They shouldered packs for the return loop.
Halfway back, Em appeared.
She came jogging up the trail from the opposite direction, earbuds in, curly hair bouncing in a high ponytail. She wore a cropped lavender sports bra that showed off her curvy midriff and high-waisted black running shorts that hugged generous hips and thighs. Sweat glistened on caramel skin; she pulled the earbuds out when she spotted them.
"Well damn," she said, breathing hard but smiling wide. "Fancy meeting you here."
Sierra laughed. "Stalking us?"
"Pure coincidence. I run this loop most weekends." Em's amber eyes fixed on Kai. "Though I'm not complaining about the company."
Lila offered her water. Em took a long drink, throat working, then handed it back with a wink at Kai.
"You three look cozy."
"We were just heading back," Sierra said. "Join us?"
"Thought you'd never ask."
The four of them walked the last two miles together. Conversation flowed—Em teasing Sierra about her "rugged outdoorswoman" vibe, Lila quietly contributing, Kai enjoying the easy rhythm. Em's outfit left little to the imagination as she moved, and she knew it—glancing over once or twice to make sure he noticed. He did.
At the trailhead, dusk was settling purple over the trees.
Sierra's Jeep was the only vehicle left. Em's car was parked at a different pullout a mile down.
"I'll drop her," Sierra offered.
Em shook her head. "Nah, I'll cool down walking. You guys go ahead."
She stepped close to Kai, close enough her vanilla-and-sweat scent filled his space.
"Fun running into you," she murmured. "Next time maybe plan it?"
He smiled. "Count on it."
She brushed his arm—deliberate—and jogged off down the road, curls bouncing.
In the Jeep, Lila took shotgun again, Sierra drove, Kai in back. The heater blasted warm air.
Sierra glanced at him in the rearview. "You quiet back there."
"Just thinking."
"About?"
He met her eyes in the mirror, then Lila's when she turned.
"About how good today was."
Lila smiled soft. Sierra's smirk softened into something real.
They dropped him at the cabin. Marcus's truck was gone—late job, probably. The girls waved as they pulled away, taillights disappearing into the dark.
Inside, Kai showered off trail dust, muscles pleasantly tired. He made a sandwich, ate standing at the counter.
His phone buzzed.
Lila: *Thanks for today. I had fun. And… I feel safer knowing those moves.*
Sierra: *Solid hiking partner. Let's do a harder one next time.*
A minute later, Em: *Saw you staring. Liked it. Night, Kai.*
He stared at the screen longer than necessary.
Outside, wind picked up, whispering through the pines like it carried secrets.
Somewhere deeper in the forest, those poacher tracks were still out there. But tonight, they felt far away.
Tonight, Hollow Ridge felt a lot less empty.