It had been one of those days...just all around crappy. My boss was a sexist ass that never listed to anything, my work was for a mindless ape and worst of all...I had put up with it for 6 plus years now. So, I did the only logical thing...I took half of a sick day.
Most people have cigarettes or booze...I have the outdoors. It gives me a high that little else comes close to...well, besides great sex. So, I planned on doing what I love...2nd best...go hiking.
I quickly went home and changed into hiking gear: a tiny t, short khaki shorts, thick socks and some trekking shoes. I loved how I looked in the shorts; it made my legs look like a thorough bred's. God invented short shorts for leggy women, such as myself.
As I drove to the trail head, I noticed that the skies were beginning to look a little threatening, cast with deep blue and grey tones. I really didn't care though. I had hiked in worse conditions, and besides, I needed the crisp, mountain air stinging my lungs.
I pulled up to the parking area to Cougar Canyon trail head and noticed that it was empty. Good. That meant I would be alone out there. No kids screaming, dogs barking, just nature and me.
Cougar Canyon was my favorite trail. It was a hard climb through lots of cedar, alder, maple and tall fir. And just when you thought your lungs could take no more climbing, the forest opened up to reveal a small, rocky canyon through which a clear, fast-flowing creek ran. It was truly magical.
Along the trail, I noticed how much darker the woods looked when the sky was heavy with rain. Call me crazy, but it was the type of place I imagined seeing Ewoks or the like!
Striding farther along the trail, I had an odd feeling like I was being watched. I stopped for a moment and had a look around. The trees were cloaked with heavy moss, which dampened any sound that the woods emitted. If someone, something was out there, I would never hear them/it.
It started sprinkling on me as I was at the last ½ mile of the trail. It felt great and cooled my skin. My hair started matting down to the back of my neck. Since I thought I'd run into no one else, glamour wasn't a big issue.
At the end of the trail, I was proved wrong. There was someone there. An intriguing someone. Looking down into the canyon, a black man sat on a rock. He was wearing no shirt and seemed rather statuesque. Rain drops gathered on his skin only to race off the contours of his muscles and bald head to the ground.
"I've been waiting for you," he said with a very mysterious accent.
I stood there with a blank look on my face. Was he talking to me? I took a quick look around. I was the only one there. Perhaps he was on the phone. Not wanting to make an ass of myself, I ignored that he had said anything and stretched.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as he ran a large hand over his wet head and face.
"You don't want to talk to me," he said and twisted his body to look at me.
That's when I saw them; his crystal blue eyes. I had never seen anyone with eyes that blue, let alone an African American. They were almost unreal. I realized that I was staring, with my mouth open, none the less. "I'm sorry; I thought you were on the phone...?"
He flashed a bright smile and turned back to the canyon. "I wasn't sure if I'd see you up here today."
Okay, what the hell was he talking about? Waiting for me? See me today? I didn't know him nor did I ever remember seeing him up there. "Excuse me, but have we met?"
"No," he said softly. He got up and walked over to me. He had to be a decent 6'3". "I have wanted to meet you though." He extended his hand slowly, "My name is Rylan".
Looking up at him, I still couldn't get over his eyes. I felt like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car. "Meg," I managed to say, taking his hand. It was warm, soft and strong.
"Meg," Rylan repeated with a smile.
The whole situation still seemed a bit odd to me. Was he hitting on me or what was going on? This is where the story takes an...odd...twist.
My hand was still in his. I noticed my skin started feeling warm and tingly.
