Page 75 of You're the Reason

Grace followed his voice around to the other side of the structure where a whole different set of obstacles ran the length of it. Zane held on to one ring and reached for another. Seth was right, they were too far apart to reach from one to the next without a swing, but the kid just dangled, refusing to give up.

“Drop and try again.” Nate’s voice was firm but not unfriendly. And when the kid didn’t drop, he added, “There’s no shame in it. That’s why it’s called practice. We’re all learning.”

“Just like I’m learning ballet.” Susie spoke from next to her.

Everyone turned, and Grace’s face warmed. She lifted her hand and waved. Maybe she should have announced their presence when they’d arrived.

Zane dropped when he saw them and hurried over to grab his stuff. “Sorry, Susie. I didn’t realize how late it was.”

“I’m good. I was having a good talk with Miss Grace.” Then she pointed at Seth. “She needs your help with a lift Saturday.”

Seth’s brows rose but he remained quiet. Before anyone could comment, Zane ran over and grabbed Susie’s hand, then waved goodbye. “See you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” Seth nodded.

Nate’s gaze bounced between Grace and Seth for a second before he dramatically checked his watch. “My, look at the time. I’ll walk you home, Jimmy.”

The kid looked at him, his brow wrinkled. “But, I don’t?—”

“See you tomorrow, Seth.” Nate pointed Jimmy toward the door, and the two disappeared, with Jimmy still sending him questioning looks.

“Sorry. Nate isn’t known for his subtlety.” Seth loosened the Velcro on his lifting gloves and tugged them off.

“So will you be in here most of the day tomorrow during the festival?” Grace stepped over to the rings where Zane had been.

“We’ll run the whole day except during the bachelor auction. They’re trying to get as many people over there to bid as possible.”

She stepped up on the mini platform and eyed the obstacle. It didn’t look that hard. “Well, we have to have Heritage’s finest out there bringing in money. The library needs those books.”

His movement stalled a moment, one glove half off before he nodded and tossed it aside. “Yup.”

He pointed to the rings. “It’s harder than it looks. But you’re welcome to try. It’s safe.”

Grace let her ballet bag slip from her shoulder to the floor then stretched up on her toes and grabbed the first ring. She swung out and grabbed the second.

“Looking good so far.” Seth stood a few feet away, arms crossed, head cocked to one side. “Now focus on the next ring or you’ll miss it and lose your momentum.”

She swung and let the momentum carry her to the next. “I did it!”

A smile creased his face, and that was all it took for her to lose her focus. On the next swing, she missed the ring on the first try, and by the second swing, she wasn’t close enough to reach. She hung from the one ring, dangling in the air. “I made the same mistake Jimmy did.”

“Yup. Biggest thing with ninja warrior obstacles. You have to be all in. Any hesitation and you’ll miss.”

Maybe that was her problem in life. She was a ball of hesitations. Returning to the stage. Teaching. Even things with Seth. She wanted to get to know him better, she liked him, she trusted him, and yet she held back.

“Come over to this obstacle.” Seth’s words pulled her from her thoughts. “It’s much more up your alley.” He then swung across the rings as if it took little to no effort and landed on the opposite platform that faced a row of discs that stretched from one side to the other.

“Show off.” She joined him on the platform and eyed the obstacle. “Let me guess, they tilt.”

“Like six little teeter-totters. But with your balance and quick foot movement, you should be able to make it. Just don’t stop. Trust yourself, and don’t hesitate.”

She lined up and made a mad dash, but just over halfway she paused and that was all it took to tip her off the side. She landed on the mat and rolled. Oof. Talk about a learning curve.

“You done?”

“Do you even know me?” She walked back to the start and gave it another run. This time she made it most of the way. But at the last second, it shifted and tossed her into the foam barrier. She glanced back at Seth still watching her with little or no expression. She climbed out the far side and set up to run it the opposite way toward him.

Don’t hesitate. All in. She could do it. She could do it with Seth. She could do it as a teacher. And she could do it with these ridiculous twisting discs.

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