The anniversary came quiet and cold.
Ella packed the thermos slowly, slipping in two mugs, two letters, and a dog treat.
Hope barked, tail thumping the doorframe.
“You're not coming," she said, laughing. “Too steep. Brandon'll babysit."
Lucas appeared behind her, pulling on his coat. “He already texted. Demanded payment in muffins."
“You promised him banana walnut."
“I lied. It's blueberry."
They stepped into the car just as the sun broke over the skyline.
---
At the foot of Sunrise Peak, the wind met them like an old friend.
Ella tightened her scarf. “Feels colder than last time."
“Last time, I was afraid I wouldn't live long enough to come back," Lucas said.
They hiked without speaking, boots crunching over last night's frost.
Halfway up, they scattered forget-me-not seeds a
