Page 74 of Critical Doubt

"Abby's mother sent me an email, letting me know about the service, saying Abby would like me to come. Those words rang through my head for the next two days. I didn't want to let her down. But I also didn't want to see anyone until I was normal again."

"Is anyone really normal?"

"You are."

"Are you kidding? With all my family issues? I don't think so. I do know what you mean, though. I just think the problem is bigger in your head than it is to the rest of us. No one looking at you would know you hear bells at odd times."

"Until I start shouting at them to shut up."

"That doesn't happen that often. You mostly just get quiet and stiff and shake a little."

"That must be fun to watch," he said dryly.

"It's not fun. You're in pain. And I want to help you, but I can't."

"You've helped a lot more than you know. You've done more for me than anyone, Savannah."

"Only because I forced you to hold my hand once or twice."

"Sometimes I need a push."

"Or a hard kick in the ass."

"That, too," he admitted. "I hate being less than I should be."

"That's the most difficult part, isn't it? Accepting your limitations."

"It's my new reality. I have to accept it. I have to live with it. But it's rough. I've always had expectations for myself. I never set limits. I always thought I could break through any ceiling above me, any wall in front of me. I liked obstacles. I thrived on challenge. The harder it was, the more I liked it, the more I wanted to win. But I was taken down by a god-damn bell. And that makes me almost as crazy as the wild sounds in my head."

"I still think they mean something, Ryker. Maybe later tonight we can piece things together. Hopefully, we get a few more clues when we meet with Hank and Mason."

"Hopefully. But let's not think about that now." He turned the wheel, suddenly sending them in a new direction.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

"One of my favorite coves."

"You don't think we need to head back?"

"Not yet. As you said, we have plenty of time and this place is too pretty not to share with you."

A few minutes later, they ended up in a quiet cove with low hanging tree branches providing shade and a bounty of colorful flowers along the shoreline. There were no houses nearby. It was wild and beautiful.

"Wow," she murmured. "It kind of takes your breath away. It's so beautiful."

"I agree," he said, but he wasn't looking at the view; he was gazing at her. "I think it's time I got my kiss, Savannah."

"You do, huh?"

"Yep."

She got to her feet. "Okay."

Despite her agreement, neither one of them made a move to breach the two feet of space between them.

"It might be a bad idea," he warned.

"It probably is. I don't think either one of us will want to stop at one kiss."

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