Page 55 of Chasing Sunsets

“At least we’ve been inside. It’s stifling out here.” She glanced around at the incredible butterfly garden. If her legs didn’t feel like jelly, she’d get up and take a better look.

Instead, she relaxed or at least tried to. She wished she knew who was in the lead of this race and where she and Zack were in the standings, but trying to figure out who led proved futile. The night in San Antonio when she’d returned to her suite to find most of the other women from the race, they’d talked and come to the conclusion they couldn’t even guess who might be in the lead.

A group of participants filed onto the roof from the stairwell, wet from the waist down and breathing hard. Sadie rose and grabbed another water bottle from the cooler, then dashed over to Zack.

“Thank you.” He took the water, opened it, and took a long drink as they rushed to an official who gave them a map to the Sixth Street Bridge. When they headed to the stairwell, she said, “Looks like you all arrived at the same time.”

“We did. We ended up behind a boat moving a house, if you can believe it. No one could pass them because of the boats on either side helping guide it.”

Shadows stretched long in the setting sun as they used the map to direct them. It was well-known the bats living under the Sixth Street Bridge came out each night at sunset. She’d never seen it though.

TwoChasing Sunsetstrailers blocked the road. A flag marked the finish. She prayed her legs wouldn’t give out. The respite on the rooftop hadn’t been long enough. She slowed. Zack adjusted his gait to match hers. Considerate man.

People stood on each side of the road shouting encouragement. Gemini made a touchdown signal as they passed the finish line. “Hurry, grab a spot to watch the bats. They’ll be out any moment.”

Sadie wanted to fall to the concrete as she slogged a few steps and leaned over on the railing, relieving her legs of some of her weight. Besides the people on the bridge, bat watchers sat on the grassy banks on either side of the water and others relaxed in small boats.

Another round of cheers signaled a couple crossing the finish.

Gradually, the sky continued to darken as the sun shed its last strength in astounding streamers, almost like ribbons of yellow, streaking upward from the horizon.

“There’s one,” someone yelled.

Suddenly, a cauldron of bats filled the sky. The size of the colony amazed her. She spun and saw the same bat cloud happening on the other side of the bridge.

“You asked me to bring you to Bat Fest a couple of times,” Zack softly murmured. “I’m sorry I never made it happen.”

Eyes on the horizon, Sadie tilted her head and rested it against his shoulder as bats continued to take flight. “I’m glad we’re here together now.”

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” ~ George MacDonald

Chapter Sixteen

The highway from Austinto El Paso on day nine turned out to be the most boring Brett ever traveled. Their cameraman, Trent, peppered them with questions. He’d been doing the same the entire race. They both responded to inquiries with no bearing on the fact they were separated and held silent the rest of the time.

Six hours into the drive, after they’d stopped for gas, Trent sat in the front passenger seat and said, “You two seem to be getting along better the last few days. Would there be a reason for that?”

---