The following Saturday, Jamie was back on the trails, her boots crunching against the gravel path of Pine Creek Loop. It had rained the night before, leaving the air thick with the scent of damp earth and cedar. Emma loved this particular hike for its winding turns and secluded spots - perfect for clearing her head.
As she rounded a bend, she spotted someone crouched near the edge of the trail, adjusting the strap on his pack. He was tall and lean, with reddish brown hair that fell just above his piercing hazel eyes. His weathered boots and gear suggested he was no novice.
"Everything okay?" Jamie asked as she slowed her pace.
"Yeah, just fixing this strap," he said, standing up and brushing his hands off on his pants. "Thanks for asking. Name's Chris, by the way."
"Jamie." She extended her hand, which he shook firmly.
They started walking together, their conversation flowing easily. Chris was a wildlife photographer, traveling the country to capture the perfect shots for a coffee table book he was working on.
"You must see some amazing places," Jamie said.
"I do. But honestly, this place might top the list," Chris replied, his gaze lingering on the canopy of trees overhead before shifting to her. "You seem to know your way around here."
"I hike a lot," Jamie said. "But I'm also a local realtor. So, I guess you could say I know this area inside and out."
Chris raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A realtor, huh? You ever get to show houses that feel like they're in the middle of nowhere?"
"Sometimes," she said with a grin. "In fact, there's one not far from here - a rustic cabin tucked into the woods. Interested in seeing it?"
"Why not?" he said. "Lead the way."
The cabin was a hidden gem: a two-bedroom retreat with a stone fireplace, exposed beams, and a wraparound porch. It wasn't listed yet, so Jamie had the keys to herself.
She unlocked the door and stepped inside, flipping on the lights to reveal a cozy interior that smelled faintly of cedar. Chris followed her, his eyes widening as he took in the high ceilings and large windows.
"This place is incredible," he said, running his hand along the polished wooden countertop in the kitchen.
Jamie leaned against the doorframe, watching him. "It's even better with a fire going," she said, nodding toward the hearth.
Chris grinned. "You're good at this - selling the dream."
"I aim to please," Jamie said, her voice playful.
They moved to the living room, where the oversized sofa seemed to beckon. As Chris admired the craftsmanship of the cabin, Jamie found herself drawn to his easygoing energy.
When he turned to her, their eyes met, and the air between them thickened. Chris stepped closer, his voice low. "You've got a way of making a place feel… intimate."
Jamie smirked. "Maybe it's not just the place."
Without hesitation, Chris closed the space between them, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that was both tender and charged. The fire crackling in the hearth soon had nothing on the heat between them.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Jamie and Chris stepped out onto the porch, wrapped in the glow of the setting sun.
"This place really is magic," Chris said, leaning against the railing.
Jamie smiled, sipping from her water bottle. "It's easy to fall in love with it."
Chris turned to her, his expression soft. "Maybe with the right guide, too."
Jamie laughed, shaking her head. "Careful, Chris. I'm not always this available."
"Then I'll make the most of today," he said with a wink.
As they locked up the cabin and returned to the trail, Jamie couldn't help but think that the wilderness had a way of bringing the unexpected into her life. She didn't know if she'd ever see Chris again, but she didn't mind. For her, it wasn't about the future - it was about the thrill of the moment.