Page 20 of Oz Wisdom

Before she realized it, they were coming to a stop in a gravel lot surrounding the tower she was leaning and stretching to see the top of.

"The tower has been here as long as I can recall," Oz told her. "We can climb if you want. There are viewing machines up there.”

Taylor shook her head. "No, that's okay.”

"The view from the porch is magnificent. You ready?"

Taylor stepped from the truck. Where had this place come from? Her silent laugh erupted into a smile. She had been so focused on the tower piercing the skyline, she hadn't noticed the long brown building balanced on the edge of the cliff.

Oz guided her inside and through a small gift shop before reaching tables filling a balcony.

"How about this?" he asked, pulling back a chair at a table next to the railing.

Beautiful. Treetops covered the mountainside dipping deep below. She settled into the chair but couldn’t tear her gaze from the captivating view. A peek over the rail and a breeze whipping through her hair reminded her there was no barrier between her and the valley below. They were a part of it. A part of this breathtaking view. Her fingers twitched to reach out and touch the birds swooping by. She flashed Oz a grin and caught sight of hummingbirds. Dozens of them dancing around feeders hanging from the end of the building. A butterfly. Its bright yellow wings carried it past the hummingbirds toward her, closer and closer until it landed next to their table.

Oz said something. Maybe the waitress did. She wasn’t sure. “What?” She glanced around. Where had the drinks come from?

“Beautiful, isn’t it? An experience you can’t get from many other places.” Oz dipped his finger into his glass and eased his hand near the butterfly, stopping next to it.

Why wasn’t it darting away? Taylor’s focus was trained on the motionless creature. It inched forward, climbing onto Oz’s finger. Her eyes felt as if they would jump from their sockets. She jerked her head toward him. “How do you do that?” she whispered.

“Get a little sweet on your finger. They like that. And hold out your hand. But move slow.”

Taylor vibrated inside. She did as Oz instructed and waited. The tiny feet were so light moving across her skin. If she hadn’t been watching, she would not have known it was there. This right here trumped anything she could ever imagine. This moment would become her rock, her happy memory to fall into when her courage failed her.

She didn’t know how long she sat there in awe of the tiny creature she held. And she could have sat there all night if it had stayed with her. Just her and the butterfly. When she watched it float away on a breeze, she only then realized their dinner was waiting for them. Neither plate had been touched.

Heat crept up her neck. “Oh, I must have gotten carried away. I’m sorry.”

“Never be sorry for doing something that makes you feel at peace. We can sit here as long as you like.”

Her chest tightened and she glanced away. “Looks delicious.”

***

Night had taken over by the time they walked back to the truck. Oz opened the passenger door and Taylor climbed into her seat, holding the delicate suncatcher in her hands that he had bought for her. She had never experienced such a perfect evening. The breathtaking setting and the captivating conversation, not to mention the amazing man, made the perfect date. If only it was a real date. She glanced toward Oz. His profile in the dim light made her smile. He was a complete package. Handsome, interesting, wise, and caring.

At least she had memories of this night to hold on to. She looked down at the souvenir she held, her thumb sliding back and forth across the smoothness of the colored glass. She had stopped dreaming of a perfect future, but if she still did, this would be her goal. She smiled; her eyelids drifting closed only for a moment as she tucked away this feeling to help get her through the upcoming days she knew would be tough.

Chapter 11

Oz sat on the side of the bed with his elbows on his knees, his gaze on Taylor but his mind running through the past two nights. She hadn't slept well. Being a light sleeper, he was aware of her flipping and turning and the multiple times she got up, moving around. Something was wrong. But what?

Taylor rolled to face him. "Good morning.”

“Morning. Sleep well?"

"Okay, I guess."

"Ready to see your family today?" He watched the pink fade from her cheeks and her sleepy smile turn forced. "I do have some work to do this morning. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe you'd be alright waiting until after lunch?”

The light flickered in her eyes again. "Sounds good."

"Should you call and let them know?”

Her hesitation was obvious to Oz as she threw back the covers and searched in her purse for the phone he had given her. She flipped it open and called.

"Hi Mom. This is Taylor. . . Everything is fine. I'm just calling to see. . . No. I don't need money. . . Remember, I talked to you about coming. . . Today. . . When would be a good time then? . . .” She squeezed her eyes and turned her back toward Oz, dropping onto the edge of the mattress. "Okay. I'll see you then."

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