Page 47 of Hero's Prize

Annie let out a low chuckle. “But also, you wish they would break some stuff and mouth off to you a little bit?”

Ella grinned over at her. “I know. That’s ridiculous, right? But I so want to see them let loose.”

“When Bear first told me about this plan and his vision, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. But meeting these kids and seeing how much of the load they carry… I’m a believer now. Just want them to have as much fun and freedom as they can handle.”

Ella wiped down a countertop that was already pretty spotless. “I could see Bear’s vision right away and felt connected to it from the beginning. Honestly, I feel even more connected to it now. Feel connected to these kids.”

Dr. Annie crossed her arms on the windowsill. “Because you are them, Ella.”

“What?” She folded a towel and hung it neatly over a rack. “I’ve never had any terminally ill siblings.”

“But terminally ill siblings are only a by-product of what we are trying to provide them relief from. It’s actually the fact that these kids don’t ever demand—or probably get—much attention. In a lot of ways, you grew up the same way. You had a famous dad and a genius sister, both of whom end up getting a lot of the focus from everyone.”

Ella shook her head. “It’s not the same.”

Annie shrugged. “No, not the same, but similar. And you never acted out either. Like these kids, you just did what needed to be done to help your family. You never tried to make things about you.”

“Maybe.” The other woman was probably right. Maybe that was why Ella felt such a connection to these kids. She knew what it was like to feel invisible, but then to feel guilty for even having those feelings, given how many blessings she had.

“How did your workshop go?” Ella asked. A change of subject seemed like a good idea.

Annie stood back up and stretched her arms over her head. “Good. I was surprised they were as interested as they were. I was concerned that these kids had been around medical stuff for so long that learning CPR and a few first-responder basics would either be too simple or too much of a downer for them.”

“But it wasn’t?”

“For a couple, maybe, although they were still polite and attentive. But for a few of them…” The older woman smiled. “I sawthe gleam.”

“Ah, maybe a couple of future doctors in our presence.”

“Having a sick sibling certainly motivates young people sometimes. They either want out completely, or they want to be a part of the solution.”

“It feels pretty damn amazing to work with these kids, doesn’tit?” Ella’s exhaustion had vanished, rejuvenated by Annie’s insights. Maybe she could find a way to include a couple more cooking workshops for them, for at least the ones who were most interested. Bear had mentioned allowing the kids to specialize and hone in on some of the workshops for their last couple of days.

“Absolutely. I —”

Annie broke off from what she was about to say when they heard cheers in the distance. Both women looked out the window in that direction.

“What in the world?” Annie asked. “Are those our campers, squealing like…dare I say it?Kids.”

Ella broke out in a grin. “The obstacle course. It has to be. Come on, let’s go over there.”

They rushed to the truck and a couple minutes later were pulling up at the obstacle course that had been built on the far side of the Linear Tactical property. Ella had heard about it, and she knew that Colton had designed and helped build it. But she hadn’t made it over here to see it yet.

“Wow,” she whispered. It was amazing. Of course, it was amazing. Colton had designed it, and there was nobody who knew adventure better than Colton Harrison.

And it wasn’t just the obstacle course itself that was so impressive. Colton was out there helping and demonstrating.

“Now, that is a man who knows how to command an audience,” Annie said as they got out of the truck and walked over to observe more closely.

She was right. The kids were aptly focusing on Colton and what he was telling them, which right now looked to be how to get a stronger vertical jump from one of the ledges to reach a swinging rope.

He was demonstrating how to use muscles in the legs, but she couldn’t stop thinking about those arms that had caught and held her so easily the other night. The same biceps that strained against his T-shirt now as he helped the campers.

Colton had never been overly muscular. His stunts requiredmore than mere muscles. He needed balance, agility, and mental focus. Ella remembered a talk he’d given about that very thing to a sold-out auditorium in Denver a couple years ago. The need to hone the strength of your mind, not just your body. It had been a wonderful speech.

She hadn’t let him know she would be there. Hadn’t let anyone know. She’d just wanted to see his face and hear his voice in person. Admitting that to anyone just felt pathetic.

And now she had no idea where she fell on thepatheticityscale.

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