Page 22 of Oz Wisdom

Her door opened and she jerked back. "There's nothing here," she whispered.

Oz grinned. "We have to walk up the trail.” He paused and she wondered what he was planning. “No need to be afraid. I give you my word that you'll never need to fear me. I get angry. I deal with it. I get past it. But I’ll never take it out on you.”

His voice floated over her like a soothing blanket. She couldn't say why but she believed him. At least she wanted to. She stepped from the truck, wrapped her arms around her waist, and followed him up the paved walkway.

The short hike was beautiful. The aroma of flowering bushes and trees of varying heights that surrounded them on the hillside was light but refreshing. Soon the treetops opened, and a steel roof appeared. Taylor focused on the metal arch as it grew closer and tall glass panels structured with steel beams came into view.

"A church?"

"Thorncrown Chapel.” They paused in front of the oversized wooden doors. "This is a favorite stop of mine," Oz explained.

"It's beautiful.”

Oz opened the door and swung his free arm for her to go inside. She stepped in and soft instrumental music enveloped her, pulling her further inside. Oz’s hand was warm against her back and guided her to the fourth row of pews from the doors. She missed his touch the instant it fell away, and he sidestepped between the seats. Taylor settled next to where he sat with his wrists draped over the back of the pew in front of them.

The chapel was strangely comforting. Although made of glass it held the ugliness of the outside world at bay. Taylor looked forward to where one would expect a pulpit and possibly an organ but there was none. Only an unobstructed view to the breath-taking hillside. She focused on the trickle of water cascading down the rocks beyond the glass enclosure then her gaze drifted from beam to beam, admiring the ornamental lights on each post.

Taylor glanced back toward Oz. His head rested on his arms that were still draped on the back of the pew before them. She felt a bit out of her element. She studied him. He surprised her at every turn. Never had she met anyone like him. One more glance around the serene place and with a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

One more day. Enjoy today with Oz and worry about her parents tomorrow. She could do this. Get through the rest of the day without crossing him or making him mad. The look on his face when he'd walked into their hotel room and saw her reading his laptop crept back into her mind. Her cheeks began to warm. Breathing became tough.

His touch felt like a bolt of lightning. She squeezed her eyes tight, and her jaw ached. His hand slid to rest on her shoulder. She felt his arm circle her, taking her breath and binding her to her seat as if she were chained to the spot. Let me go. Let me go. Let me go. She curled her fingers around the seat next to her knees to brace for the coming blow.

"Breathe,” he whispered next to her ear. "Whatever you're thinking, let it go. Think of something else. Something happy."

Oz. That was Oz's voice. Soft, warm, and caring.

"You'll be back with your family tomorrow."

Her family. Just another blow to dodge. She forced a swallow, urging her muscles to relax. At least that one would not be physically painful.

"We’ll sit here until you feel better. Then we'll find a nice little spot for lunch. Can't promise it'll be as perfect as last night. The sunset over the valley. The birds. The butterflies that you were so enchanted with. That was the highlight of my evening.”

Taylor opened her eyes and slowly cast a look toward him.

"You were so in awe that all your fears disappeared. I saw the real you last night. The uninhibited, fearless Taylor.” He paused a moment. His gentle touch lifted her chin. "I liked that Taylor. That Taylor was confident and carefree. She didn’t give a damn about the world beyond that moment. And she has the most captivating smile I’ve ever seen.”

Her gaze popped toward Oz's. The warm breath of his words against her ear seeped deep into her, enveloping her heart, pumping encouragement in and fear out. His touch to her shoulder grounded her. No past. No future. Only this moment.

"Close your eyes. Focus on something that makes you happy. A place. A person. Anything."

Taylor did as he said and discovered herself back in time to the night before standing by the railing watching the birds dive and swoop by the butterflies lazily basking in the evening sun. She wasn't sure which of those two she envied the most. Each of them free to soar as far and high as they pleased.

The music flowing through the speakers faded into the whoosh of wings flapping as the little creatures flitted through her mind. Another swoosh and dive then Oz's voice mixed with the sound. She smiled. It had been a perfect evening.

A gentle squeeze to her shoulder and she realized he was talking to her.

"Whatever you're thinking now, hold onto that.”

Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up.

"And hold onto that smile." He grinned. "Let's grab some lunch. I'm starving."

***

“Oz.” Taylor dropped her hands into her lap, staring at her plate.

"Travis."

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