âLead the way!â Elijah said gruffly.
Elias was concerned for him, however. âBut sir, the weather might turn against us any minute, and youâre alreadyâ¦â
âDonât worry about me, Iâm fine!â
âLeave this to Elias and me, Mr. Forrest!â Alyssa cried. âIâve volunteered as a medic in a warzone before. If this hiker is in any danger, I can come to their aid immediately!â
A look of shock and respect surfaced on Eliasâ expression.
âWell⦠alright then.â Elijah nodded. He gave Alyssaâs hand a firm grab. âWeâre counting on you, Alice!â
Jasper drove into Crater Mountain Park on his own. He had swapped for a less-showy-looking SUV, so Sean hadnât noticed his arrival outside the park.
He soon parked the car and got out.
âMr. Forrest? Is that you?â He called, dressed in camo for the hike. He looked just like some special ops team sergeant.
âMr. Jasper!â Elijah greeted him warmly at the entrance. âThe weather is not on our side today. What brings you here out of your busy schedule?â
âItâs precisely because Iâm only going to be busier that I decided to stop by. I wonât be able to for a long time.â Jasper sighed. âBut you can just call me Jasper, sir. Like you used to.â
âThat was when you were but an 18-year-old. I canât keep calling you that now that youâre the head of your family business. What if you get upset and stop donating to our park?â Elijah said jokingly.
âI would never. Iâve already allocated a fund in my secretaryâs name. If something happens to me, heâll continue donating annually to the park on my behalf.â
Elijah didnât expect this response. He quickly smacked Jasperâs chest, saying, âDonât talk like that! I was only joking around with you. Youâre too serious for your own good.
*Ah⦠What a lucky day it is for me today. Both my favorite youngsters are here visiting me. How blessed!
am.â
Elijah teared up slightly after saying that. He knew his time would soon be up, so being able to witness a âDo you have another visitor?â Jasper asked lightly.
âI do, yes. I wanted to introduce her to you. You two are so alike, joining the patrol and helping hikers and donating to the park every year.â
Jasperâs curiosity increased upon hearing that. âIf they are important to you and share the same passions as I do, I wouldnât mind getting to know them.â
âToo bad. Alice has joined the rest of the patrol!â
When âAliceâ was mentioned, Jasper was initially puzzled before the realization struck him.
Jasperâs heart skipped violently as a surge of electricity swept through his being, sending him into a peculiar state of numbness and shock.
Seconds later, he held Elijahâs arm and asked, âIs her last name White?â
âOh? Do you know her?â Elijah asked, surprised. âYes, her family name is White. Alice White is her full