When Emily got back to Vancouver, Byron still refused to tell her what the surprise was, other than it involved a trip. She packed a few outdoorsy outfits and something for a night out, just in case. They set out the next morning in the BMW, and she still had very little idea of where they were going.

At last, when she saw Byron taking the turn-off for one of the highways leading out of town, she was pretty sure they were heading for the mountains.

“This is ...