Page 41 of Where Are You Now
“You told me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.”
“Right, but?—”
She hoisted herself up, a tiny tweak pinching her side. She held her breath and moved slowly, methodically, placing her feet in just the right spots and using her hands to guide her. The initial jump was the hardest part. The rest was just moving and stepping to the next branch.
“Ava. We aren’t kids anymore.” Lucas’s lips were set in a straight line.
“Come on!” She scaled the tree higher, the thrill of immersing herself in life outweighing the dull ache in her side.
With a loud exhale through his lips, Lucas grabbed the bottom branch and swung his legs up, making the climb. He finally clambered up beside her, but this time he made sureshewasleaning against the trunk, instead of the way they’d positioned themselves as kids.
“Now, what in the world would be worth this risk?” he asked.
She nodded toward the view. “That.”
The tops of gold-and-orange trees fanned out all the way to the blue-gray Tennessee Hills on the horizon, and just in front was the jagged Nashville skyline. The scene was so vast it made her feel insignificant in comparison.
“You know there’s an overlook along the trail that allows a fabulous view, and all you have to do is walk up to it,” he said.
She put her finger on his lips. “Sshh …”
A minuscule flinch shot through his shoulders at her touch, and the fear that flashed in his eyes told her that she could hurt him. She sent him a silent promise that she never would.
“Come over tomorrow to go fishing. You never did get to.”
“I don’t know.”
“Knowing you, I’m assuming you became a doctor because you love to help people.”
“Yeah.” There was pain in his answer.
“My dad can’t fish with me anymore, but you can. I know you fishing with me would help me because this walk has been the best thing I’ve done since the accident.”
Deliberation showed in his stare.
“I won’t ask anything of you. I’ve already said that. I won’t go back on it.” She held onto the branch and moved into his view. “I promise.”
“All right. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You get down from this tree and spend the rest of the walk on solid ground.”
She laughed. “Done.”
When Ava returned to the house, her side still ached a bit, but she floated in on a cloud of bliss. She danced her way into the kitchen.
Martha’s face was serious as she chopped carrots. The counter was full of ingredients for her chicken and dumplings casserole.
Ava went over to her mother, took her hands, and spun her around.
“Good walk?” her mom asked, a smile overtaking her.
“It was thebestwalk.” Ava dropped her mother’s hands. “Lucas is coming over tomorrow to go fishing, if that’s okay.”
“Sounds good to me.” Her mom dumped the carrots into the hot pan behind her, sending a sizzling sound through the kitchen.
Ava leaned in and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll tell you all about today over dinner.”
