Page 21 of Kidnapped By the Mountain Man

Kate swats me playfully against my chest. “Are you always this needy?”

Cora smiles. “He is. Isn’t it cute?”

The doorbell rings and we all twist to look out the front window. It’s Cora’s mom. She’s been lesion free for five months. We celebrate every month on the day.

“Would you mind letting everyone in?” Cora asks Kate. “I have to show Austin something quick.”

Kate rolls her eyes playfully. “Of course you do. No problem.” Fake vomit noises fill the room again.

Cora and I laugh then tuck into the bedroom. I can’t imagine what she has to say, or why she’s saying it now.

“What’s up?” I brush my hand down the side of her arm. “Do you remember that letter that I sent to the veterinary program?”

“Yeah. Did you hear back?”

She grins. “I did. I got in. I’m going to mentor with a local vet and take classes online to finish the degree. Can you believe it? I’m actually doing it. I’m living my life!”

I reach out for Cora and hold her against my chest, breathing in the soft scent of flowers in her hair. There’s nothing she can’t do.

“I’m so proud of you, bunny. Next celebration is for you. Cake, flowers, balloons, the whole thing.”

She slips her hand in mine and we step back into the living room where everyone is eating and chatting about life.

Cora steps into the kitchen and sets a few solo cups on the counter before grabbing the pitcher of lemonade from the fridge. One by one she pours each glass, handing me mine first.

It’s a simple thing, lemonade… but not everyone gets it right. Some people don’t add enough sugar. Others, too much. But with Cora’s, I knew on the very first sip…it was all I’d ever want.

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