Page 97 of Wolf's Chance

“I can almost feel it cleanse my lungs,” I told Doc with a smile.

“Was it that bad inside?” he asked me, half joking, but looking over at him, I saw he was as watchful and careful as he always seemed to be with me. “With Caleb, I mean.”

I hadn’t needed his clarification. Wrapping my arms around myself, I realized there was a chill I hadn’t noticed in the air. “Summer will soon be over.”

“Willow?” Doc took a step towards me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded vigorously, even though I was pretty sure it was a lie. “I just needed some air,” I told him, my voice sounding thin and shaky even to my own ears.

Doc didn’t believe me. I could see it on his face, but he didn’t push me. He simply took a step back, respecting my need to not talk about it.

I was grateful for the reprieve. For the unspoken acknowledgment that I just needed some space.

Turning myself away from his prying eyes, I looked and saw the mountain for the first time. It was stunning andhigh, and so damn steep. “I can’t believe I climbed this.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but I heard the huff of laughter from Doc. “Okay, I didn’t do it all myself,” I admitted with a grin he couldn’t see.

Yet again, my mind turned to Caleb. All I could think about was him. The pain in his eyes as I stupidly showed him my sketchbook. By trying to help, I had only caused more pain. I took another deep breath, filling my lungs with cool air as I steadied myself from the events of this morning.

“Did you eat my breakfast?” I asked Doc suddenly and was rewarded with a guilty flush. “That’s stone cold, Doc. Stone cold.”

“I’ll make sure you get double at lunchtime.”

“I’m hungrynow,” I reminded him. I wasn’t—the events of this morning had wiped out any appetite I had—but still, you didn’t eat someone’s breakfast. “I also have questions.”

For the first time, Doc looked uncertain. “Now isn’t the best time to ask them.”

“Why?”

His lips quirked into a smile, but he looked away. “Because I don’t have answers for you, girlie.”

“Girlie?” I thought about it. “Irish?”

“Scottish,” he corrected. “For a very brief spell, but my mum held onto some things and let go of others.”

“Like?”

“My dad.”

“Oh.” Awkward. I changed the subject. “When does the other doctor get here?”

“Later.”

Right, well that was helpful. “Until then, we do what?”

“You want to tell me more about yourself?” he asked me, and I wasn’t surprised when he plopped down on the grass.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Nah, I have hot blood.”

“You’re…mixed?” I hoped he wasn’t easily offended. I knew there was a better way to ask that question.

“Yeah, I get some perks, not them all.” Doc eased back on his elbows as he watched me. “Did you ever find it strange that your foster parents never adopted you?”

Wow.“Um…no.”The truth was I’d been grateful I had a home and people who cared for me, so I’d never really thought about it.

“You were with them for six years.” His head tilted to the side, his eyes searching mine like I was a puzzle. “It’s a long time.”

“I guess.” I heard the defensiveness in my voice and tried to hold back any emotion. “Not everyone gets adopted, you know. Being in the foster care system isn’t like being in a rerun ofAnnie.” Rubbing my hands on my jeans, I felt the chill even more, or maybe it was because I was feeling exposed that a shudder ran through me.

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