Word Prompt: "Warning"

Phrase Prompt: "The entire situation is a mess"

Highline

Chapter 7

After Edward's patch job on my foot, we were able to reach the top of Arnica Ridge without any other interruptions.

Standing before us, in all of its glory was Mt. Assiniboine. The humongous mountain was covered with swirls of clouds – it made me feel as if I was standing in a picture. It was clear to me why it was referred to as the "Matterhorn" of North America – its size and appearance were breathtaking.

"Where'd it get its name?" Rose asked, pulling her camera from her bag. She was a much better photographer than I was – I was counting on her to get enough shots for the both of us.

"George M. Dawson named it in 1885." Edward began. He'd been pointing out facts here and there along the way. I noticed a significant change in his demeanor when he spoke of the area – he was much lighter, more relaxed. "He said it reminded him of the smoke coming out of the teepees the Assiniboine Indians used."

"Edward took the mountaineering trail up the North Ridge a few years ago." Emmett added, obviously talking his brother up. "You can't scramble that one – it's no easy feat. Not many can say they've done that."

"Have you been?" Rose asked him.

"Nah – climbing isn't really my thing. I'm too big, too clumsy." He chuckled. "I prefer skiing – my tales of glory involve a helicopter and a few feet of fresh powder."

"So, what's this you guys were saying about trail conditions?" I asked, genuinely concerned. The rain had stopped, but I noticed dark clouds in the distance all around us. "Have you figured out how it'll impact the rest of the trip?"

"Well, the entire situation is a mess. This spring has been difficult." Edward said, digging some sunblock out of his own bag. "With all the heavy snow pack over winter and this rain, mudslides are a real concern." Though he spoke of something serious, he didn't show any worry. "We won't really know until we reach certain destinations. Worst case scenario, you'll get an off-path experience."

"I guess a one-of-a-kind trip wouldn't be all that bad." I shrugged, putting on a brave face. It wasn't that I was scared – if anything I was worried about having to turn back. Edward gave me another of his small smiles in response, but didn't say anything more. I wondered if perhaps he was starting to warm up to me – even just a little bit.

We began our descent into Gibbon Pass, following Jacob's lead. Rolling meadow's filled with newly bloomed wildflowers spanned as far as the eye could see. Emmett and Edward left me and Rose with Jacob, while they went off to scout out a good place to set up our stove to heat up some dehydrated soup base for lunch.

"Are you having fun?" Jacob asked me.

"Absolutely. It's as beautiful as I'd imagined it would be."

"Take a look over there – right above the treeline." He said, pointing out in the distance. "Bighorn Sheep. Tomorrow will be a lot more challenging hike-wise, but it's been a good day so far. You girls seem to have no trouble keeping up."

"Yeah, we're tough. Charlie wouldn't have let us get away with anything less, hey B?" Rose smiled over at me, her camera yet again in hand.

"That's for sure."

"Who's Charlie?" Jacob asked as he picked at the moss covered rock beneath us.

"Charlie was my dad. He passed away last year – was a real outdoorsman. This trip is kind of in memory of him. He'd always wanted to visit Canada."

"I'm sorry. I bet he'd be proud of you." He replied. I could tell that he was completely sincere. Jacob felt so easy to talk to – so approachable. I was getting the feeling that we'd keep in touch after this trip was over – that he was someone who would likely become a life-long friend.

xoxoxo

"We should come up with a warning call in case we separate at any time." Emmett said as he unwrapped the first of three of our canvas tents. We'd left Gibbon Pass after lunch and headed down to Shadow Lake where we'd started to set up camp for the night. "It'll be good for if you're, uh – relieving yourself, bathing – that sort of thing - and get in any trouble."

"We have whistles." Rose said, "Won't that work?"

"They will, but they won't do you much good buried in your backpack. We're in bear country up here. That's not something I take very lightly."

"Neither of us do." Edward added. He started putting together tent poles with ease. The breeze had rustled up his hair and gave his cheeks a rosy glow. While he hadn't been overly friendly with either me or Rose, he had become considerably more personable since our initial meeting. His increase in friendliness made it harder to ignore his ridiculous good looks.

"Have you had any close encounters?" I asked. From my reading I knew that bears were everywhere in the Rockies – everything from black bears to grizzlies. Searching around online, I'd found many stories from hikers who'd met bears on treks just like ours.

"You saw my back at the hot springs, didn't you?"

"What?! Oh my God, Emmett." Rose's hand flew up to her mouth. I'd asked her if she'd said anything to him about his scar back at the hotel that night, but she told me she didn't want to pry – it was too soon. We both were startled by his revelation, but it seemed to deeply hurt Rose.

"It was a few years ago, but yeah – I was in rough shape for a long time." He said, nonchalantly. He didn't slow down on the tents for even a second.

"Ok." Rose spoke first – "Whistles will be pinned directly to our shirts or coats. Three short blasts mean trouble."

"And your bear spray", Edward added looking directly at me. "Never, ever leave the group without it."

A/N Sorry I missed last night! My husband arrived home for a surprise visit, and time got away from me. Thank you so much for reading and for your reviews! I'll try to get an extra chapter out over the next few days to make up for the lost one.