The Union by T.H. Hernandez

Author:T.H. Hernandez [Hernandez, T.H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780990868828
Publisher: T.H. Hernandez
Published: 2020-12-04T06:00:00+00:00

22

Upping the Ante

After breakfast, Cyrus corners me in the kitchen. “Come on, I want to show you something.”

Intrigued, I trail him outside where he slings a pack over his shoulder and leads the way behind the house. Stuffing down my nervous excitement, I remind myself he and Lucy spent yesterday together.

We follow the tree line before he makes a sharp turn into the wooded area. Leaves crunch beneath our boots as we plod along, our feet kicking up the rich, dark soil, creating a musty, earthy odor with each step. Curiosity swells, filling me until I’m ready to burst. I resist the urge to ask where we’re going, only for fear of spoiling the surprise.

Bird songs and the percussion of our footfalls are soon joined by the gentle notes of flowing water. Off to the left is a steep drop into a ravine where the stream runs through this part of the valley. We skirt the edge a short distance before Cyrus descends, reaching back to take my hand. I know the gesture is only meant to steady me, but someone needs to clue in my heart which thumps harder at his touch.

A structure built about halfway down the sloped sides hovers over the water, stopping me in my tracks. Even from here I can tell it’s well-crafted and oddly familiar, although I know I’ve never been here. The ground has been leveled on either side of the ravine supporting a concrete and rock foundation. Thick wooden beams traverse the gorge, and additional uprights embedded in the foundation hold up and support a hut-like dwelling.

I take a few steps closer and can make out an upper deck with a bench, table, and a ladder leading down to a suspended area below, about ten feet above the stream.

“What is this?” I ask, awe clinging to my words.

“A place where I come when I need to get away.”

I tear my eyes away from the hut to stare at him. “This is yours?”

He shrugs and leads the way to the entrance. When I step onto the floor, I realize why it feels familiar. The same materials and craftsmanship that went into their house are evident throughout.

“Did you build it?”

He grips the back of his neck. “Yeah. I started not long after we arrived, taking the leftovers from the house. It took almost a year to finish.” He’s quiet for a moment before his gaze slides to me. “I’ve never brought anyone here.”

I find that hard to believe. This must be where he brings girls when he wants to be alone with them. Where he brings Lucy. “No one?” I eye him with suspicion.

“You’re the first.”

The desire to kiss him overtakes me again, and this time it’s impossible to resist. All the feelings I’ve been trying to deny bubble to the surface. I take a step toward him, drawn to the heat of his body. Without thinking through the wisdom of my actions I reach up and touch my lips to his soft, full bottom lip.

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