Chapter 302: Thinking of You Again
As the group began climbing the mountain, Erin suggested that Colton and Sophia pair up with her. Naturally, Aidan, Lucia, and Ethan formed another group. Only Alison was left.
“Alison, join our group,” Aidan called out.
“No, Alison, come with us. Sophia needs your help,” Colton shouted.
Neither was willing to concede; each wanted Alison on his team.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She smiled.
“How about I referee? Let’s see which pair reaches the summit first. The losing pair will treat everyone to dinner tonight. Okay?”
“Okay, yes! I want ice cream!” the kids cheered.
Erin and Lucia knew clearly that Alison was helping them.
“Ready—go!” After everyone was ready, Alison gave the order.
Before she could finish, Sophia and Ethan had already burst forward.
Alison lagged; her recent injury kept her from participating in strenuous activities.
Aidan started to slow down, wanting to run beside her, but Lucia caught his arm, forcing him to focus on Ethan instead.
The two little ones were chasing each other, neither willing to fall behind.
“Come on, Sophia! Ethan’s team will treat you to dinner if you win,” Alison cheered.
“No way! We won’t lose!” Ethan raced ahead, keeping a lead over Sophia. He had a habit of stopping to check on her, which slowed him down.
As Alison pushed herself to keep up, her thoughts kept circling back to Gabriel and Emily.
What on earth were they doing here? Had they truly left?
Finally, the group neared the summit.
Though exhausted, none of them was willing to lose.
Sophia and Ethan swung their little arms, running desperately. Their bright red faces were a vivid sight on the mountain.
“Sophia, come on! Faster! Don’t let your brother leave you behind!” Alison cheered from behind.
But Sophia couldn’t run any farther.
Seeing her falter, Colton scooped her up without hesitation and kept running.
“Godfather will carry you,” he said.
Erin helped steady her. They were almost catching up to Ethan, Aidan, and Lucia.
Lucia glanced back and hurriedly told Aidan, “Hurry, Aidan! Pick up Ethan!”
Soon, the game turned into a contest between two “godfathers,” each carrying a child on his back.
In the end, Aidan won.
“Yay!” Ethan cheered. “Godfather Harvey’s treating us tonight!”
The adults collapsed en masse, panting heavily.
“No problem,” Colton replied with a laugh.
He was a man who honored his bets, especially when it came to Alison. After all, he owed her a lot of money.
The reminder stung a little — debts had a way of lingering.
Alison stood atop the mountain as the wind ruffled her sweat-dampened hair.
Yet, when she looked down the mountain, she found herself instinctively searching for Gabriel and Emily.
Why am I still hoping to see them?
“Mommy, look! That’s Gabriel.” Ethan had walked up and pointed somewhere.
That call made her spin around abruptly.
Amidst the verdant trees, she spotted a hint of blue — the colour of Gabriel’s clothes.
The tone matched him perfectly: cool, distant, untouchable.
And beside him stood Emily.
A man facing them appeared to be engaged in a lively conversation.
The blue silhouette felt familiar, reminding her of Jack.
Lost in thought, she murmured, Jack…
“Where’s Daddy, Mommy?” Ethan tugged at her arm, pulling her back to reality.
“Oh, no. Mommy just suddenly missed Daddy.” She lifted Ethan and turned away.
“Alison, have some water.” Aidan tossed her a bottle. “You don’t look well.”
Alison forced a smile. “Maybe it’s been too long since I last hiked.”
“We should probably hike more often, Erin. What do you think?” Lucia chimed in.
Although Aidan hadn’t contacted her since that night, she felt certain that she could succeed with Alison’s help.
“One climb per month. All in favour, raise your hand.”
Everyone raised their hands except Alison.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hike; she just disliked seeing people she didn’t care for — Emily.
As they descended Logan Mountain, Alison found her thoughts drifting as she faced the setting sun.
Colton was going to treat everyone to dinner.
“Aidan, what would you like to drink?” he asked.
“Hard liquor.” Aidan planned to seek solace in alcohol.
“All right, let’s get a few bottles of the good stuff,” Colton ordered.
After this hike, the two had buried the hatchet and become friends.
The waiter filled each clear glass to the brim.
As the two men clinked glasses, Alison also drank glass after glass.
“Mommy, please slow down.” Sophia reminded her, “Aunt Lucia said you’ll get drunk.”
“It’s fine,” Alison replied with a smile, though a chill settled deep within her heart.