Ch. 7

They day dawned bright and warm. C.J woke with what felt like a spring in her step for the first time in a very long time, raring to go. She had spent the previous day picking out a young apple tree from the garden centre close to the ranch and with Matt's help, she had found a perfect spot and together they planted it. She smiled recollecting yesterday's memorable day, one in which Matt had tentatively helped her find a way in which she could remember Carl. She brushed away tear that threatened as Matt came into her room with a mug of coffee

"You ok?" he asked gently concerned

Turning to face Matt smiling, she said "I'm fine, really. I was just thinking back to yesterday and planting the tree. It was such a lovely thought, thank you. I really enjoyed planting it, it was a really good day and I feel far more positive about moving forwards. It's all thanks to you"

"You're welcome. I couldn't begin to face the idea of losing you C.J, I was actually, I admit, very scared you were gonna do something really rash that night"

C.J shook her head thinking back "I really don't know what my head was thinking, other than a sense of total loss and despair...I guess" she replied with a swallow. "It scares me just thinking about how low I was. I've never been that way before; it's just not like me at all...so out of character for me...I guess that's what scares me the most"

Matt nodded and drew her in to him. They stood there in each other's embrace for a short while. Matt slowly released her and held her face in his hands "You're very special to me C.J, and I care very deeply for you. We have a great two days planned ahead, let's have some breakfast and then head off"

With overnight backpacks ready, they said their goodbyes to Bo and Lamar and set off on their adventure together. Matt took C.J's hand and smiled down at her.

"I've been looking forward to this"

"Me too, I feel fit and ready to take on the world again" C.J replied her hazel eyes beaming and a broad smile on her face, the one that Matt loved so much.

"You're looking so much better, I must say" Matt said as he moved his arm and wrapped it around her shoulder as they continued walking.

"Thought we could start by heading up to the waterfall and then onto the lake today and then tomorrow we can continue down into the canyon and then back home, what do you think?" Matt asked

"Sounds perfect!" C.J replied looking up at Matt, who was at best a good seven inches taller than she. He stood tall, strong and muscular but with a gentle and protective air about him which would disarm most people.

They climbed up several steep hills, but whatever C.J lacked in height she made up in her fitness and agility.

They reached the waterfall by noon where they stopped and ate a packed lunch Matt had prepared that morning. As they watched the waterfall, C.J became lost in her thoughts, thinking back to the weekend she had bought Carl out to the ranch to escape the hectic and fast paced lifestyle that LA demanded.

"What are you thinking C.J?"Matt asked her quietly, as he stood behind her gently wrapping his arms around her. Leaning her head back into his shoulder she smiled and started speak about a memory she had of her and Carl having walked up to this very point the weekend before his death; and how the ranch had always contained happy peaceful memories for her.

"It's not that I don't like Pinewood, it's just that I still feel scared at the very idea of being there...I know he won't ever be there, he's dead. Heavens I pushed him; but it's the fact he had been there and had followed me up to the cabin, the very place we thought I could be safe. There's no way I could go up there on my own, just thinking about it sends a chill down my spine" C.J sighed and continued "I used to love walking along the side of the lake there, but it's all gone Matt; instead all I see is Marge, the lovely police officer who came to help protect me almost drowning and his face appearing from the trees. I really want to be able to start going there again and be able to recount the happy memories again...but..." C.J continued her voice etched with sadness for a place she used to love seeking sanctuary in.

"I understand. I wonder, just a thought... but ...how about this...what if we were to hold a small series of house parties there over a few weekends with friends and family, BBQs, hikes everything you love, how about that...see if it helps. I'd love to see you back there again"

C.J. turned round to face him and smiled "You have been so good to me Matt over these past two weeks or so, there is no way I could have worked through all this grief without you. I can't thank you enough"

"Just seeing you happy again, says it all. I'm not saying there is still a way to go, as I recognise there is...but you have done brilliantly, opening up, sharing telling me everything. You've been through so much." Matt replied, smiling and brushing her hair back behind her ears.

"I think the apple tree you picked out yesterday is a fitting memory to Carl and I'm so proud to host it here at the ranch ...I'm rather hoping that next year we will get enough to make some of your famous apple pies" he said with a wink and a smile "I know Carl loved them" he continued chuckling.

C.J chuckled along with him "I feel I can really move on now Matt. The only memories of Carl that I may shed a tear over; will be good happy ones".

Matt nodded and smiled "Come and find me, wherever I might be in the office or at my home if you feel you need to shed those tears...even happy tears...promise me" he urged.

C.J nodded "I will...I promise you, I will"

"C'mon, let's carry on and get to the lake, we have at least two or three miles still to go and I thought it would be fun to sit by the lake for the rest of the day before it gets dark. I booked one of those overnight cabins instead of us camping" Matt said starting to walk and taking her hand in his.

"That sounds great, they look lovely inside, but they still have that lovely rustic charm about them" C.J said taking his hand.

On reaching the lake a couple of hours later, they found their cabin and dropped their stuff, picking up a few extra food supplies as snacks until dinner, and headed to a secluded corner of the lake, close to an unused jetty. It was about half three and the sun was beginning to cool.

"Well I'm gonna jump in this lake and cool off, care to join me" Matt said with that mischievous twinkle that C.J knew very well.

"I think your splashing will cool me off nicely, I'll abstain... thank you"

"Awwww... c'mon C.J you know you want to" Matt said laughing

"I'll sit and read here and watch; I've bought my book. I might join you in a while" C.J said chuckling knowing full well what Matt's real intentions were...

"Well if you're sure..."

"I am ...don't you worry..." C.J chuckled

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, C.J joined Matt an hour later and sure enough, he pushed her off the jetty on more than one occasion. Eventually coming out, C.J laughed and called to Matt, that she was gonna lie down and dry off.

As the late afternoon wore on into early evening, the remaining sun's heat dried C.J soon enough and she sat and read, watching Matt as he jumped off the jetty and generally enjoyed himself. Relaxed she leaned back on her hands and watched as Matt once again jumped into the lake causing a huge splash and dispersing water far and wide. A shaking sound came from close to where C.J was sitting, but laughing, C.J never heard the warning noise...before it struck.