Page 18 of Chasing Sunsets

In the lead on the first day. Success.

He kept fit, but the physical activity he performed today evidently worked muscles he never used or even knew he had because he hurt everywhere.

Jessie approached them. “Your accommodations are in the hotel next door.”

Luckily, they didn’t have to travel any farther. The parking lot they’d been directed to was for the hotel. “You will not be rooming together. You’ve been assigned same-gender roommates. Here are your room keycards.”

He handed Zack an envelope. “We’ll meet back here for sunset. Well, whichever teams are finished. Everyone should be able to make it by sunset today since it’s an easy day.”

“Easy day?” Zack wouldn’t let that go. “You ever train to be a knight?”

Jessie smirked and continued without answering the question. “After sunset, we’ll be attending the Medieval Times Tournament and Dinner. You’ll be able to check out the skills you learned today. Be back by seven-thirty.”

They rode the elevator down with Lowell and Uri, the only gay couple in the race, who spoke of the grueling day, and how excited they were about the show. Zack responded, but Sadie kept quiet. He hated she was no longer the talkative, lively woman he married.

Once at their Audi, Zack gave her the envelope with their room keycards and grasped their backpacks. Sadie opened the car door and grabbed their lunch bag. “Two granola bars. This will have to hold us until tonight.”

He took the offered bar and slipped it into his pocket. He needed a shower before doing anything.

Sadie’s chestnut hair, still in a ponytail and almost dry, glistened with red and blonde streaks in the afternoon sun. He itched to pull the band out and run his fingers through the strands, feel the silkiness he remembered so well, the rich weight of it in his hands. He trailed her through the sliding glass doors into the hotel.

She stopped and opened the envelope. It held two others with their names on them. Holding out the one with Zack written on it, Sadie motioned to her backpack. “I’ll take it now. Thank you for carrying it.”

He passed it over and checked his room number. “I’m in 1412.”

“My room is 1450. Same floor.”

“Can I come by your room at 7:15 so we can walk over together?”

“Sure.” She met his gaze. “We did well today.”

“Yes, ma’am. I definitely have the right partner.” He meant the sentiment about his life, their life together. He hoped this race would bring them closer. Sure, they needed the money, but more importantly, he needed to be with her. Being separated did not agree with him. Even with their problems, he’d rather be with her than without her. Hopefully, in the days ahead, she would come to feel the same way.

~

Sadie exited the bathroomfollowing a refreshing shower.

“Hello! I don’t want to startle you,” a voice called from the living area. A woman she’d met earlier stepped into the doorframe of the room Sadie chose. “In case you don’t remember, I’m Kelly.”

“Sadie.”

The younger woman was fair-skinned with golden red hair and blue-green eyes. “How did you hold up today?”

“Fine.” She’d surprisingly enjoyed a great day. “You?”

“My official made me muck the stall three times until he approved.”

“That’s terrible.”

Kelly shrugged. “My instructor left out a lot while training me the first and second times.”

“My guy was very thorough and stayed on me, and I thought he might’ve been too strict. After hearing about your problems, I’m glad for his attention to detail.”

“Well, I just got here, so I’m going to clean up and change. Can’t miss sunset.” Kelly hastened across the living room, a huge area with couches, chairs, a desk, and a tiny kitchen. It separated the bedrooms each with its own bathroom.

Sadie crossed the room, found water bottles in the fridge, and snatched one to wash down her granola bar. She used a towel to remove the wetness from her hair and let it dry naturally instead of using the hairdryer the hotel provided. She moisturized her face and rubbed lotion on her body, but didn’t even bother bringing her makeup. Last year she wouldn’t have left her house without mascara and lipstick.

So much had changed.

---