What Lies Between by Charlena Miller Page B

you. I’ll take you this far.” He pointed at where we were on the map and a spot not far ahead, and then traced his finger along the route. “Follow on, staying on the path on the side of this hill and I’ll catch up with you in about an hour.”
    “People are going to want to take pictures. I will have to stop.”
    “Of course. Take a couple of five-minute photo stops, and we’ll break for longer where we’ll all meet up.” He folded up the map, handed it to me. “If you get there first, wait for me. Don’t rush. It’s not a competition.” His voice grew serious. “Keep them in your sight.”
    “Don’t worry, mate. I’ll bring your wee flock safely back to you.” I mangled my attempt at mocking his accent.
    He shook his head in amusement and turned toward the group. “Okay, everyone, let’s get started.”
    I fell in behind him as he took the lead of our posse. We trekked along the path, orderly and single-file, stepping aside to give room to people coming back toward the car park. The air grew cooler as we trekked and I zipped my hoodie up to my neck. Ben stopped at a point where the car park was nearly out of sight, used a rock for a platform, and again addressed the group.
    “I’m turning around here. Ellie will take you from here. Have fun.” He turned to me. “See you on the other side.”
    “Right, see you soon,” I mumbled.
    The clear sky and the plentiful number of other hikers calmed me. All I had to do was keep everyone together. I stopped at the curve in the ridge, nearly forgetting the group trailing behind me, struck quiet and still at the sweeping view—the jut of the massive ridge overhead, odd-shaped rock formations sticking up into the air, a perfectly cone-shaped hill below with a lochan at its base. Had I left the planet?
    This place was odd—alien and mysterious . . . beautiful. Gerard’s choice was beginning to make more sense but why across the island near the Black Cuillin? We wouldn’t go out that far on this tour, but when I was ready I would need to go there on my own.
    Footsteps approached, and I turned to see Todd. The others trailed farther back with Shayne at the end. No surprise.
    “Todd, can you help me keep Shayne in sight?”
    “No problem.”
    Todd stayed close, chattering in detail about every ingredient and recipe for drinks he had invented and every big wave he had conquered. From his conversation, I gleaned his life revolved around bartending, surfing, and not much else but I couldn’t fault him for forming his life around what he loved. I admired it. His particular passions just didn’t interest me. And a fling guy at least had to be interesting.
    Soon we reached a stream of water pouring down the side of the hill. I scanned the others’ shoes. What were they thinking? Except for Todd, they were better dressed for a trip to the mall than a tour of the Highlands.
    “Todd, let’s make sure everyone gets across okay.”
    “Right, mate.” He leaped across the chasm after me, grabbed my shoulder to steady himself, and knocked me off-balance on the narrow trail. I caught myself before falling into the rocky stream that was cutting a gash down the face of the slope.
    “That includes me, Todd.”
    “Yeah, sorry.” He gave a sheepish look and turned his attention to the others.
    All crossed the stream safely, and we continued up and around the midpoint of the steep-sided hill. A more foreboding challenge lay in front of us—a precipitous ascent, covered in a thick coating of loose rocks called scree , if I remembered right. This must be the scramble Ben mentioned; he had a knack for understatement.
    Having to scramble on hands and knees part of the way and frequently sliding backward, I made it only halfway up before a stitch in my side rewarded my effort. Digging my boots into the hill to hold myself in place, I took a quick survey of the others. Todd was making good progress. Li and Bill were managing on their own. Shayne and Karen were