Page 28 of Chasing Sunrise

Chapter Six

Amanda pulled up tothe Hunter’s house, grateful for the beautiful sunshiny day and cool breeze. As she cut the engine, Kasey came around the house carrying a car seat. Marisol, her head down, followed him. She was dressed in a tiny version of the same red shirt with a bird on the front that Kasey wore. They were both in shorts and sneakers.

Kasey opened the passenger door. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

He hunched down and hit the flip to fold the passenger seat forward. Marisol lifted her head, and Amanda saw tears in the child’s eyes. Her heart broke for the tiny girl, too small to ride without a safety seat. “Oh, I’m glad you have that. My seats are very low in the back. I was afraid Marisol might not get a good view out of the windows, but that should sit her up high enough to view everything.”

Kasey gave her an appreciative smile before he leaned over to set up the seat.

Marisol sniffed. “I feel like a baby. None of my friends have to ride in car seats anymore.”

“I think you’re the perfect height and weight,” Amanda went on. “And you’re the best Tai Chi teacher I know.”

Marisol glared at her. “I’m the only Tai Chi teacher you know.”

“Not so. I looked up some instructors on the internet this morning. I got lost trying to follow them. I never once felt lost with you yesterday.”

Kasey straightened from installing the car seat.

Marisol halfheartedly pointed at Amanda with her thumb. “She’s trying to make me feel better.” Then she climbed into the back.

“Forgive her, M.” He righted his seat and slid inside. “Amanda doesn’t know any better.”

To stop herself from laughing out loud, she started the car and checked on Marisol in the rearview mirror. The child buckled her booster seat.

“The game is at the Astros stadium. They’re out of town, but a triple-A team is using their field.”

She shifted the car into drive and took off toward Houston.

“Uncle K, we need to talk.” Marisol still sounded down.

“Shoot.”

Amanda listened while she drove.

“First of all, I love you.”

“What do you want?” he returned. “Saying you love me after telling me we need to talk makes me think you want something.”

“Well, I do love you.”

“I love you too. Now, spill.”

“Can you help me convince Daddy to take me to Nepal?” The child sounded determined when she said, “I have to find a way to get there.”

Curious, Amanda asked, “Why?”

“Because of the Swayambhunath temple in Katmandu.”

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