Page 50 of Chasing Sunrise

She drove to the Hunters’ house and knocked. Marisol opened the door. “Amanda, are you here for a Tai Chi lesson?”

“I came by to bring your grandmother a book, but if you have time for a lesson, that would be awesome.”

“I do.” The child led her to the kitchen.

Shelly stood at the stove stirring inside a pot. The whole house smelled like spicy chili. She turned from the stove. “Hi, dear. What a nice surprise.”

“I have something for you.” Amanda lifted a book from her purse and held it out.”

A gasp escaped Shelly. “How did you get this?”

The much-anticipated thriller wouldn’t be in stores for another couple of months. “I’m part of Sara Wright’s advanced reader team. I got it yesterday.”

Shelly held the book like it was a precious treasure. “I’m sure you want to read it first.”

“I did,” Amanda grinned.

“You finished it in a day?”

“Couldn’t put it down.”

“I can’t wait.” Shelly walked over and carefully placed it on the side table. “I’ll return it as soon as I’m done.”

“No. Give it to someone else to enjoy.”

“I have a friend going through chemo. She would love it.”

“Good. I heard from Kasey today,” Amanda shared.

“How is he?”

“From the text message he sent, he’s freezing cold—”

“Shelly,” a man called. He strolled into the room with a red face and sweat dripping from his forehead. Tall and thin, the man had salt and pepper hair clipped short.

“Yes, dear,” Shelly answered.

“Where—” he hesitated when he spotted Amanda. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

“Amanda, this is my husband, Rafe.”

When she’d come for book club she hadn’t seen him.

He smiled, and she was struck by how alike his smile was to Kasey’s. Such a welcoming smile. “Pleasure to meet you. Forgive me for not shaking your hand, I’m dirty as hell.”

“Amanda heard from Uncle K. He’s freezing,” Marisol interjected.

“Of course, he is. Did you know no one lives in Antarctica because it’s too cold? The only people who go to the South Pole are scientists doing studies and people who want to say they’ve made it there.” Rafe sighed. “I swear that boy has a death wish.”

~

Once Amanda arrivedhome, as she stowed the food she’d bought at the store on the way, her phone rang. She smiled at seeing Kasey’s name. “I feared you might not call because you have hypothermia.”

“I feared the same thing. When did you get the message?”

“Earlier today.”

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