Page 21 of Chasing Sunsets

It would just be mind over matter. In physician assistant school, she learned shaking from addiction usually peaked a day to three days after going cold turkey, although some individuals shook for weeks. Surely, she hadn’t gotten to that point.

Dramatic music swelled from the main room.

She paced in front of the stalls. What she really wanted to do was run. Run until she collapsed.

When did she last go for a run?

Before...

Panic struck her insides.

Her life had changed. She no longer ran four days a week. She was in no shape for this contest or ready for the rigors they would face.

Except...they’d finished first today.

She might be able to do this.

I have to do this!

She checked her reflection. A bit of red lingered around her eyes, and her hair looked wild from the blower. She ran a hand through her hair in an attempt to tame it then exited the restroom. By the time she made it back inside, the show had started. An actor dressed as a knight motioned to a horse. The chestnut elegantly pranced around, and the crowd loudly cheered.

Luckily, spotlights from the performance helped her find her way to her seat. Zack stood when he saw her and grabbed the back of her chair to help her sit. Grateful he didn’t ask questions, she sat. He settled next to her. A tankard waited in front of her, along with plates and bowls. She didn’t want a sip of anything alcoholic. “Did you order for me?”

“Yes. Tea.”

“Thank you.”

Clashing swords echoed in the arena.

Startled, she spun around and watched the grandiose displays of strength, everything from fencing to jousting. Spectators hissed in fear every time the ball of a mace came too close to a combatant’s head. Knights grunted as their bodies were jabbed by lances.

Spending time with Horatio gave her a new appreciation for the beautiful horses on display and their part in the show.

They ate a delicious medieval meal without utensils, true to the era.

Every now and then, she glanced at Zack. She should tell him about her drinking but didn’t want to disappoint him.

He’d probably be able to tell something was wrong by just looking at her anyway.

~

Sadie held her Dad’sarm as the church vestibule doors opened, and the people filling the pews stood. The Wedding March played. Colorful flowers blossomed everywhere.

She focused on Zack as she and her dad started down the aisle. Dressed in a black tux, Zack was gorgeous with his hair cut short. His tanned skin set off the white shirt. His smile made her heart race.

He kept his gaze on her while she approached. Her dad shook Zack’s hand, kissed her cheek, then disappeared. Zack offered his arm to her, and they neared the minister. She knew what happened next as the ceremony unfolded. After they exchanged rings, the minister said something, and Zack took her face in his hands. He leaned close, brushed her cheek with a kiss, and whispered in her ear, “My love, my life, my reason for metamorphosis.”

A gut-bust laugh burst from her—

Sadie woke with a start, her heart pounding.

The bedside clock read 3:47 am.

Dreams had been infrequent her whole life, and especially rare since she’d been drinking herself to sleep the last six months. Never before had she dreamed about her wedding.

She grew up in Orange, Texas, and went to private school with Zack before he moved away prior to high school. In seventh grade, they studied sex education during health class. He and Sam Frazier sat at the table beside her and her best friend, Cally. The day they learned about what happened to a man’s body when it got sexually excited, she couldn’t believe it. She turned to her best friend and said, “Love, real love, must be the only reason a guy would go through that kind of metamorphosis.”

Cally, wide-eyed and shocked too, nodded.

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