Author's notes: As always your reviews for my last chapter were all greatly appreciated and loved. The ending of this chapter may confuse a little if you haven't read the companion piece, Pink Envelopes.
Patrick and Teresa request a table on the veranda where they can look over the park as they eat. There's a soft breeze and Teresa has her hair held by a clip to stop it blowing in to her face. Jane's changed in to a light green shirt, with small, white, dots randomly covering the print. Teresa's pleased to see him wearing one she chose and congratulates herself as, green, is definitely a colour he should wear more often.
"Glad you approve Teresa. I compliment you on a great choice."
She's momentarily startled at being caught staring but quickly recovers.
"It's about time you discovered there are more colours in fashion than, blue, grey, black and more blue."
"It seems a case of the pot calling the kettle black, literally, every other item in your wardrobe must be black."
"That's just for work. See no black."
Jane looks at her and it's as if he's seeing her for the first time. She's wearing white jeans with a deep red blouse and a white camisole visible underneath, her cross resting on the base of her neck. Patrick is looking so intently that she begins to feel uncomfortable and moves her gaze towards the mountains. Patrick bites back the compliment he was going to make, for once not wanting to add to her discomfort. The waiter arrives with their food. It's been a long time since their Mexican lunch and they're both famished, the food is delicious and in between bites they discuss plans for the following day.
"I presume you've read all the pamphlets you took from the lobby?"
"Yes and I thought we could take a hike. There's one described as 'moderate' that takes us through meadows, forests and along a river, with views of a few of the rocks. It sounds spectacular. Then later we could see the Yosemite falls, that seems the easiest one to get to. See I'm being careful."
"Where is my Patrick and what have you done with him."
Patrick raises an eyebrow.
"You're Patrick?"
"I think I've rescued your butt enough times to have some claim on you."
"Which parts would you like to lay claim too."
"Ahh, there you are, you're back!"
"Nicely done Teresa."
She sticks her tongue out at him. Patrick decides it's time to change the subject'
"We can order a picnic lunch from here to take with us."
"That sounds great."
Teresa's eyes wander back out to the mountains.
"I can't wait to get started. It's so beautiful."
The next morning Teresa is ready when Jane knocks on her door, She's wearing khaki coloured jeans, a beige top and her newly acquired hiking boots. She also has the backpack they purchased, which currently holds a bottle of suntan lotion. Jane's wearing his blue trousers teamed with a solid very light blue shirt.
"I'm glad I didn't choose the beige shirt or we'd look like a married couple."
He's holding some pamphlets and a map.
"Thought it best we know where we're going."
Teresa takes them from him and adds them to the backpack. Jane rubs his hands together.
"Time for a hearty breakfast I think. Just leave the rest of the guests some maple syrup."
Teresa playfully hits him on the arm.
"I'll just eat your portion."
Patrick lets her pass through the door first and closes it behind him.
"I've no doubt you will."
They're about an hour in to the walk, taking a stead pace. A little too steady for Teresa's liking as Patrick stops far too often. He's following, what, must be, the thirteenth squirrel they've encountered since they entered the forest as it races up trees and jumps from branch to branch. She spies a tree stump and sits down waiting for his arrival.
"Can that be the last squirrel you torment, or we'll be in this forest all day."
"I'm not tormenting them."
"You're a squirrel stalker."
"Ooo a 'squirrel stalker' I like the sound of that."
Teresa groans making Patrick smile.
"I promise no more squirrel stalking."
He offers Teresa his hand
"Lead us out of the forest, I swear I'll stay right by your side."
"Good, or tomorrow I'll put you on a leash."
Patrick stands still a moment as Teresa goes on ahead and then he starts to follow.
"Haven't we arrested someone for doing that?"
"No but murder sounds real good right now, heel."
They stop for lunch at the crest of a hill. It has a gently incline and leads into a meadow which is overshadowed by a giant rock. Patrick is informing her of their names but she's tuned him out and enjoying the view. The hotel had packed a delicious lunch and since it was now mid afternoon they devour it. She turns to Jane.
"We've walked a while, are you feeling all right?"
"Never better, don't worry about me, look."
He stands up on to his feet and jumps up and down in front of her.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"He turns to face her and jumps too close to the edge so that he has an uneven footing. It causes him to fall and start rolling. He thinks it's great fun and increases his momentum, unfortunately he doesn't realise that he's not rolling in a straight line and he's forgotten about the prickly bushes that he's now inches away from. Teresa is shouting and running towards him but it's all to late and he disappears with a cry underneath the bush. As she reaches him, he's pulling himself out slowly as thorns catch on his clothes, trying to hold him in. The last one relinquishe's it's hold, and he flops on to the ground. His face and arms are covered in tiny scratches leaving trails of blood. He feels her shadow over him.
"Be gentle with me Teresa, I know I was foolish but I'm an injured man."
When he gets no reply he opens his eyes and then jumps to his feet, horrified to see tears in her eyes.
"I'm fine Teresa, it's just a few scratches. My own stupid fault."
She just looks at the blood and the cuts and can't stop the tears. Patrick, at a loss, pulls her into his arms and holds her.