Chapter 12
What the Heart Wants
Serenity tried to be as talkative with the family as she had been when she arrived.
“The hospital is only about another 45 minutes away,” the old man explained from the back seat.
“Actually, I think it will be alright to just go home. I forgot that my mother gave me a knee brace a while back when I hurt my knee during a dance competition. That should take care of the problem.”
“Are you sure?” The husband was driving beside her.
“I think it might be best just to get checked out.” The woman leaned forward from the back seat. The old man voiced his agreement, too.
“Thank you all for caring so much, but I’m really fine. I wasn’t lost very long and I was able to find decent shelter for the one night. It’s nothing that a long sleep and a couple of good meals won’t fix. Besides, I need to contact a lot of people, like my professors.”
“Oh, are you a student?” Suddenly the family was asking her questions about her degree, her experience, and a host of other things that helped to get her mind off of the problems that she didn’t want to think about. The rest of the trip went relatively quickly, and they had Serenity back at her place. She thanked them profusely and promised to keep in touch before saying goodbye. Getting the spare key from its hiding spot, she entered the home and began getting ready.
Once inside, she went and found her knee brace. She collected some clean clothing, put her outfit in the washer, and headed to take another shower. Within an hour, Serenity was cleaned up and sitting at her computer. None of her friends would have heard about her disappearance and no one from Deep Water would bother emailing her. At some point she would need to get her bag, but at the moment she had no way of getting in touch with anyone who may have it.
“Oh, wait, Alaric should be able to help,” she muttered to no one in particular. Quickly she sent him an email that she and Ryland were alright and that she would need her bag returned. She asked if he could set up a way of getting the bag back since she didn’t have class again for a few days.
She had no more than stood up when she got a ping. Turning around, Serenity saw that Alaric had already replied.
You should be at the hospital.
It was the entire email. Serenity frowned, “What kind of an answer is that?” With a deep sigh, she tried to figure out another way to get her stuff. Without a phone, she couldn't contact Silas or Cora. “Only one way to fix this problem.”
Pushing herself up, she picked up her wallet, which she had left at home since she hadn’t needed it for the rafting trip, then headed out the door. Her walk took her to one of the nearby stores. There were several cheap phones that would do for now, so she bought one and began to head home. The smell of food lured her into a restaurant, and she decided to eat in and learn about the phone.
More than an hour had passed when she finally left and headed home to rest. Feeling exhausted, Serenity lay down, figuring she would trying to contact Silas or Cora after she rested.
When she woke, it was already dark outside. Groaning, Serenity rose and decided to just get ready for bed. She would start packing up the easy things that evening.
She was working on her second box of books when there was a knock on her door. Serenity frowned, turning to look at the clock. “Who on earth would stop by after 10?” Standing up too quickly, she twisted her knee. “Oh, damn it,” she muttered before heading to the door.
Looking through the peep hole, she saw Ryland standing on her step. For a moment she felt panic. How was she supposed to treat him now? There was no way she could possibly keep his interest, and the idea of losing him hurt.
“I know you are standing on the other side of the door.”
Serenity froze. “Why did you stop by?”
“First, I have your bag because Alaric said you asked to get it back.”
“What’s second?”
“I’ll tell you after you open the door.”
Serenity bit her lip and shut her eyes. “Alright, hold on a second.” She unlocked the door and peeked out.
“May I come inside?” He was looking at her with the familiar smile that looked hollow now that she knew more about him.
“As long as you promise not to drag me off to the hospital.”
“I promise that I won’t drag you off anywhere you don't want to go.”
Her heart was beating wildly, but her head was telling her it was a bad idea. Serenity paused for a second before pulling the door open. “Of course, sorry, come in. I’m still a bit drowsy.”
Ryland stepped into her place and slipped off his shoes. “That’s why you should be in the hospital.”
Serenity was immediately defensive. “You promised.”
“I did, but nothing was said about trying to persuade you to go.”
“Please don’t start right now, Ryland.” He gave her a strange look, then his eyes started moving around her place. “How are things going? Were they able to get the poachers?”
His face snapped back to her. “No, they had already moved on. The dogs brought back… they knew there were people around, so they slipped off. We’ll find them, it’s just going to take a while longer. Why are you packing?” Ryland’s blue eyes bore into her, as the question caught her completely off guard.
“Um, I just…” Serenity sighed. “Would you like something to drink? Have you eaten anything yet?”
“Water, please. And I am fine.”
Serenity gave him a knowing look before directing him to the couch in the living room. “Please sit down. I’ll be right back with your water.”
He nodded, then moved away wordlessly.
Serenity joined him a minute later with a small tray of food and the water. “Eat before you get too hungry.”
Ryland cocked an eyebrow at her, but there was no smile on his face. “What has happened? Why did you decide not to go to the hospital? And why are you packing?”
Serenity ran a hand over her forehead. “I'm not hurt enough to need the hospital. And I’m going to go back to the east coast.”
Ryland clenched his teeth, making his jaw even more defined than normal. “Are you too afraid here now?”
“Not afraid, just…”
He moved close to her and took her hand. “I am so sorry for failing to protect you, but please don’t leave.” His eyes begged her.
Serenity pulled her hand away. “I just don’t know…”
“What’s wrong? What can I do to convince you to stay? The idea of you leaving is…”
Serenity looked at him. “Ryland, what do you do for a living?”
“Oh.” There was an immediate change in his expression as Ryland closed his eyes. “I'm an actor. A fairly successful actor. A job that I did not choose and one I do not enjoy.”
“Then why do you do it?”
“Because what else can I do that will give me the tools to take care of everyone? My parents chose this career, and now it is too late to change paths.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“So you are going to leave just because of what I do?” His expression was slowly shifting into one of anger.
“I'm leaving because–”
His voice was like a low growl, “You promised not to get possessive.”
“I do not want to own you!” She moved away from him. “I wouldn’t even mind sharing you, but I can’t stand the idea of losing you. You are everything that I didn’t think I would find, and a few things that I didn’t want, but there is no way I can possibly keep your interest. How could I?” She stood up too fast, and immediately stumbled.
Ryland quickly stood and caught her. “I don’t understand what you are saying. If you leave you will lose me. If you stay, I… I don’t want to lose you. I have already lost so many people, I don’t want to lose you, too.” His hands were gripping her shoulders, but Ryland’s eyes seemed to be focused on something else. He moved his head and looked at her. “Please, don’t leave me.”
Serenity looked into the clear blue eyes. “I don’t want to be hurt any more. Men who can get someone else always do.”
“I don’t want anyone else. I don’t want to say goodbye. And I want to protect you, not hurt you.”
“But you will get bored of me. I know you will.”
Ryland put his hand under her chin and looked into her eyes. “A woman who can accept that I am a shifter, and prefers the outdoors to stores. A woman who puts more emphasis on her mind because it is more important than her looks, even though she is stunning. The man who thinks he will get better than that is a complete fool.”
Serenity began to fight back tears. “I want to believe you, but experience tells me that isn’t the way life works.”
Ryland let go of her and took a deep breath. “If it is a matter of your heart versus your head, all I can do is tell you that I am not like the men who hurt you before. I cannot force you to believe me. If you choose to leave, I will not stop you, but is that something you can live with? For the rest of your life? Is this something you can throw away without trying?”
“I…” A tear rolled down her face. “I–” The tears began to fall faster.
Ryland looked at her, waiting for her to collect her thoughts. When the tears started flowing, he reached out and pulled her to him. “It’s okay. I promise that it will be okay. Whatever you decide, life will go on. It will just be colorless without you.” The last sentence was said in a hush that she almost couldn’t believe he had said.
Slowly she wrapped her arms around him. The tension in his body was released and he kissed her on the top of the head. “I promise to take care of you. I promise.”
Serenity clung to his shirt. “Ryland, I'm scared.”
She could feel his voice through his chest. “Me too. But I’m also excited in a way I haven’t been in so long.” He stroked her head. “You are worth the risk of getting hurt.”
Serenity pushed into him. “I don’t think I am. I’m so–”
The hand moved from the back of her head to under her chin. Carefully he turned her face toward his. “Human. But I won’t hold that against you if you won’t hold my heritage against me.”
Serenity couldn’t help but giggle. Quickly trying to hide it, she looked away. “The only thing I hold against you is how little you have told me about yourself. If I would have known what you did earlier….”
“Last night never would have happened, and you would have dug further into yourself. My world would have remained nearly colorless and bland. I do not like my job and the rest of the time I am responsible for so many other people. You were the first thing in my life in forever that was not a chore or obligation. You didn’t want me because of a preconceived idea of who you thought I was – you were interested in me for me, and that is nearly impossible.”
“You are quite charming.”
“You don’t need to lie to me. I know I can be difficult and–”
“Stubborn.” She gave him a slight smile. “Nearly as stubborn as me.”
“Yes, very nearly.” His eyes moved down to her mouth as he brushed away a tear.
Serenity leaned her face into his hand. “Okay. I’ll stay. But don’t hide anything else from me. Please.”
“I wasn’t hiding it. I honestly do not like what I do. Would you want to talk about most of your classes when you didn’t have to?”
Serenity shook her head. “I get your point. It came as such a shock and I just…”
“It’s okay. I should have realized that something like that would be difficult, it’s just that it doesn’t seem that way to me.”
“I understand. I’m sorry.”
“You’ve decided to stay, so it’s okay. Just promise you won’t freak out again. Be more like the brave woman who had no problem dealing with me shifting into a bear.”
Serenity frowned, “Yeah, that’s a good point.” Her cheeks flushed and she began to feel embarrassed. “There was something far more unusual about you than you being a very successful actor.”
Ryland nodded.
“How can I make it up to you?” Serenity looked up at him. “I’ll do anything because I was being incredibly stupid.”
“Go to the hospital.” He didn’t even wait to respond.
“Oh, seriously. You promised not to drag me away.”
“You said anything.”
Serenity groaned, “It’s too late to go tonight.”
Ryland looked over at a clock. “I guess you are right.” He leaned over and picked her up, catching her completely off guard. “If you are really against going to the hospital, I guess I will need to stay here for a week or so to take care of you.” Before she could answer, he kissed her. “But I think that I want to spend that time in your bed. With you.”
Serenity nodded. “I’ll still owe you then because I want that, too.”
Ryland laughed as he carried her into her bedroom.
The End
Rescued by Emery
Deep River Shifters – Book 2
By Lisa Daniels
Chapter 1
Lingering Guilt and a Loving Deception
Cora tossed her phone on the bed as she hurried into the bathroom. “Of all the damn days to decide that he wanted to act more like my brother.” Cora watched the way her purple hair flipped after batting it with the brush a couple of times in a sad attempt to give the damp strands life. “Of course. Of course! Why would anything go right today?” She was very nearly screaming at the mirror. Disgusted with her failed attempt to fix her hair, Cora knew that there was nothing that she could do with the little time she had to prepare. She yanked the drawer open and threw the brush into a pile of hair bands, clips, and scrunchies. Several of the items flew out as she tried to slam the door shut. With a barely contained yell, Cora spun and hurried out of the bathroom.
“Slow down or you are going to get hurt.” A man’s voice emerged from a bedroom as she passed it on her way back to her own.
“Shut up, Jason. I wouldn’t have to rush if you would have been considerate enough to tell me yesterday.” The words were muttered and nearly unintelligible.
“Are you muttering? Should I not have told you about it?”
With a sigh, Cora stopped and walked back to the door where the voice was coming from. Trying to give him a smile, she responded, “Of course not, Jason, I just wish you would have given me a little more notice than 30 minutes. I mean, you didn’t tell me you were coming to visit either, but it’s not like I needed to prepare for that. Climbing takes a bit of prep time. You taught me that. So not giving me more than a few minutes seems a bit irresponsible. For you.”
“It slipped my mind. Sorry.” The man had short, sandy blond hair that curled, making him look more like a Greek god than her brother. It still took Cora by surprise because for the longest time Jason had kept his hair long. After graduating from college, he had decided to cut it after his long-time girlfriend had dumped him. They had been together for six years, but he had not been ready to commit to marriage. She had dumped him and moved on to some guy who was a few years older and was established in the financial industry. One thing she had always tried to get him to do was cut his hair. Cora approved of his petty vindictive move, partly because she had always hated her brother’s girlfriend, and partly because he really did look a lot better with short hair.
She flashed Jason a toothy grin that could have been interpreted as either thanks or annoyance. “I’ll be ready in a minute, just need to grab some of the gear.”
“Take your time, sis.”
Cora turned to go into her room before stopping and poking her head around the door frame. “It really is good to have you back. It was a little quiet around here without you.”
Jason laughed in response, “I really wish I had gotten you on record admitting it.”
“Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts because that won’t be happening again.”
“Of course not. Hurry, I’m leaving in 5.” As if to emphasize the time crunch, Jason stood up and started heading toward the door. Cora gave a little yelp and hurried into her room. There was no point in pointing out the contradiction – he had just told her to take her time, and then had turned around and told her to hurry up. Then again, that was her brother – and she wouldn’t want him to act any differently now. Throwing some gear into a large backpack, she slung it over her shoulder, catching her short purple hair in the process. “God damn it!” she yelled, trying to yank the bag off of her hair as carefully as she could. It took several seconds and she was near tears from the effort. Cora hurried back to the bathroom and picked up a couple of clips and bands that had flown out earlier. Stuffing them in her pocket and bag, the young woman hurried down the hall. It was more than she could possibly need, but she wasn’t sure how she wanted to do her hair yet – better to have options than to regret leaving any option behind.
She reached the door just as Jason was opening it. “Ah, it looks like you will make it after all.”
Refraining from sticking her tongue out at him, Cora slid her feet into a comfortable pair of sneakers.
Jason frowned, “You can’t wear those to climb.”
Slipping under his arms as he held the door and picked up his wallet, Cora said over her shoulder, “My boots are in the bag.” She gave her shoulders a jolt to emphasize where the footwear was.
“You sure you aren’t forgetting anything?”
“I’m sure I am forgetting something, but I don’t know what. Thirty minutes really isn’t enough time to prepare for a climb. And–”
“Then take a second to think about it.” Cora was about to reply as she approached the car when Jason said, “Alright, time’s up, let’s go.”
Cora was already at the car and pulling open the passenger door when he finished locking the front door. “Shotgun.”
“Really? You are going to make me drive? You know how much time I spent driving over the last week?”
“22.75 hours. You’ve told me several times. But I have to do a few things to prepare for the climb, and I don’t think you want me doing that and holding up the group.”
Jason sighed and slid into the driver’s seat. “Fine, but I want to go on record saying that I am not happy about it.”
“That’s okay, I’m not happy that I barely got any time to get ready. We are both unhappy, which is a very sad way to begin our trip.”
“Honestly, I thought you were going to decline.” Jason looked over at her before backing out of the driveway. “You have turned down three different trips so far. I admit that I am pleased you agreed to tag along for this one. By not giving you much time to consider, you didn’t have enough time to back out of it.”
“Well,” Cora looked down at her hands as images flashed through her mind. Images of being pulled back into the raft only to find that two other members of the group were gone. She closed her eyes. “I have to get over it at some point.”
“Yeah, you do.” He patted her shoulder as they stopped at the stop sign at the end of the street. “You will get there. It just takes time. And getting out of the home a bit for something other than school.”
Cora’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. How did you know that I have been skipping out on the trips? Or that I have been staying home more?”
Jason shifted a little in his seat. “Well, there has been some talk. Some people were concerned about you and how you have been a bit reticent lately. Ryland said that getting you out of the house would help get you back to normal.”
Cora’s eyes narrowed further as she looked at her brother. He was pursing his lips, which showed that he had just said something he wasn’t supposed to say. “Which part did he think would help? The part where you give me no time to plan? Or the part where you take time away from your studies to take care of your sister?”
Keeping his eyes on the road, Jason simply responded, “Yes.”
With a groan, Cora slipped down in her seat, no longer interested in making sure she had everything she needed. “You can just drop me off up here at the light and I’ll walk back.”
“What happened to all of the excitement?” Jason glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Everything turned out fine. And if you take a look at Ryland and Serenity, I don’t think that they are at all unhappy with the way things turned out.”
Cora mumbled something unintelligible under her breath.
“Good lord, Cora. Don’t tell me that you still have a crush on him.”
“You know, you can just let me out right here.”
Jason locked the door. “I came all this way up here to spend time with you, and you are going to bail on me at the first sign of something you don’t like?”
Cora looked out the passenger window. “It has nothing to do with that. I’m not 15 anymore, Jason.”
“Oh, right. 20 years old, so much more mature.”
“We are not having this conversation. If you want to talk to me, do it on your own terms instead of doing what your friends tell you to do. Here I thought you were interested in hanging out and having fun, but you are just here to act like a parent because people told you I wasn’t well. Screw that.” With that, Cora pulled the handle on the passenger side and before her brother could relock the door she opened it.
He quickly slammed on the brakes. Jason didn’t even look at her as he said, “It doesn’t matter that you have physically aged. You are clearly still the child I remember.”
With one foot out the door, Cora turned back to look at her brother.
He faced her, a stern look reminding her that this was the man who had been in charge of her most of her childhood. Jason knew exactly how to make her feel like a petulant child. He was only three years older than her, but sometimes it seemed like it was a lot more. His expression softened. “Look, I'm sorry that I haven’t really been there for you over the last few years. I won’t make excuses, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped caring about you. I did come up here because a couple of people were worried about you. Ryland told me what happened, but it was difficult to take his recounting as anything more than an update on you. It was Silas’s begging that I come visit that made me realize it was more serious.”
Cora snorted at this revelation, but she pulled her leg back in the car and closed the door. It was so like Silas to interfere, even though he didn’t know exactly why Jason was so overly protective of her. Her friend had learned when they were 13 to bug Jason when something seemed off about her. Her brother’s reaction was always predictable, even if her friend didn’t know why. It wasn’t surprising considering they had all grown up together – although there were some things that only Jason knew about her.
Her brother gave her a smile. “Thanks. I promise, it’s going to be a memorable trip. And not in the same way your last one was. This time it will be worth it and fun will be had by all.”
“Even if it has a terrible start?” Cora glanced over at him.
He smiled at her, then took his foot off of the brake. “Especially because it had a terrible start. It means I’ve neglected you too long and now I’m really going to have to work to make it fun. Even if you are making me drive, I will accept that as punishment for my sins.”
Cora giggled a little as he began to drive again. Jason fought back the urge to mention her reckless behavior in nearly jumping out of the car. Knowing that he was going to have to work to make her smile, Jason focused on the road. “It’s been a few weeks. There’s no reason for you to be so upset about it still. Why are you so hung up on it? If you don’t have feelings for Ryland, then things worked out incredibly well. Don’t know how long he’s going to be able to keep her a secret, though.”
Cora sighed, “Yeah, glad they are happy, but he’s going to have to give it up now if he really doesn’t want to share her with the rest of the world. It’s amazing that Serenity isn’t a model already with her looks.”
Jason gave her a sympathetic smile, “I haven’t seen her, but I doubt she’s as pretty as my little sister.”
“Eww,” Cora bunched up her nose. “I know you are trying to make me feel better, but that just… ewww.”
Jason laughed, “Hey, that’s what I'm here for.”
“You’d fall in love with her, too. I can’t even look her in the face now.”
Jason pulled onto the highway before glancing at his sister. “Why? Everyone says she doesn't blame you, and from the way you’ve talked about her, she doesn’t sound like she is just saying that to get attention. Why are you the only one still bothered by it?”
Cora turned away and pressed her face against the window. “I don’t know. It feels like it was all my fault. We should never have taken her. Things could have turned out so much worse, and I just can’t get this… sense of guilt out of my head.”
Jason glanced over at her, an understanding smile on his face as he patted her shoulder. Cora looked at him and knew it was supposed to make her feel better, but it didn’t. She just felt guiltier. Turning to watch the world passing by her window, Cora tried to hide her face as she answered, “I’ll be fine. I mean, nothing ended up happening, so I just need to get through it. You guys should let me do that in my own time. Luring me out of the house was entirely unnecessary.”
“You know why I’m worried. And anyway, it worked.”
Cora shook her head and turned to face her brother, a look of annoyance just barely hidden. “No shit, Sherlock.”
“Hey! Language.” He frowned as he looked at her for a second.
Cora couldn’t help but smile. “Hey, I’ve said so much worse.”
“Not in front of me, you haven’t.”
“Get used to it.”
“No, I don’t have to.”
“Are you threatening to stop visiting? Because that isn’t going to work. This is the first time you’ve been here in a year and a half, so that threat has lost its teeth. And you didn’t even come because I asked you to come – you are here because other people asked.”
He reached over and messed up her hair. “My little sister is starting to use logic.” With an exaggerated sigh, Jason sped up to get around a slow driver. It was then that Cora realized he had set the GPS. Jason had always been good about hiding what he was doing, so it wasn’t a surprise that in her excitement and sudden anger she missed that detail. Still, it was strange that he would need help getting where they were going – they had driven there so many times. It seemed impossible that a year and a half was enough time to completely forget the way there.
“Why on Earth are you using the GPS? I know that you know the way there. School couldn’t have pushed that information out of your head.”
“We aren’t going to the usual place.” His comment was offhanded as if he thought she already knew.
“Wait, what?” She sat up and looked at his profile. “What do you mean we aren’t going to our usual place? It’s too late in the year for the cooler places. After what happened a couple of weeks ago, I am not willing to do anything risky.”
“It was a part of the plan we had cooked up to draw you out. Apparently, that wasn’t necessary, but no point in changing the plans now. Since you were so eager to join me, I figured it would be a nice surprise. Should have known you would notice long before we got there, though.”
“Well, it’s not like I’m an idiot, even if you guys all treat me like I am.”
He frowned, “No one thinks you are an idiot. You just don’t think things through. And yeah, I knew you would notice something was up, just thought it would take a little longer. Still, this does give you time to mentally prepare for something a bit more challenging.”
“I need more than just to mentally prepare. We haven’t done anything more strenuous than the regular climb in a couple of years. And like I said, this is a bad time of year for pretty much anywhere else.”
Jason frowned, “Are you trying to tell me you and the gang haven’t been to Primitive Peak since the last time I was with you guys?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. It’s a long drive and it just didn’t feel right doing it without you there. I’ve never gone without you.”
Her brother chuckled, “Still sentimental about the strangest things. Well, I’m glad I could do something special. Beyond coming up here unannounced.”
“So you plan to do Primitive Peak today?”
“Yeah. Unless you still think that it’s too risky.” He gave her a sideways look that conveyed his skepticism.
“No, if you are there, I’m sure it will be fine.” Cora was beginning to get antsy again, this time with excitement. She pulled the bag up into her lap and began pawing through it. “I can’t believe we are going to do that. I mean, it is a bit risky, but we are all experienced. I’m sure we’ll be perfectly fine.” It almost sounded like she was talking herself up as she muttered into the bag.
Jason smiled at her, his concern starting to wane. Silently he promised his sister that he would make sure to be there for her more going forward. It had been a mistake to let school and work engross him so much. There had been a time when he had been somewhat resentful about having to take care of his kid sister, especially when he was just starting high school. Then he had almost lost her. It was the real problem with Cora – she appeared to be so bouncy and lively, the kind of person who could get over things quickly. But the truth was that she was just much better at hiding things than anyone else he knew. Every time he forgot that, she paid for it. For all the time they had spent with their parents, the two may as well have been orphans. Their parents had taken research jobs that meant they were virtually never home ever since he was nine and Cora was six. For the first year or so, Jason and Cora’s grandparents had been there, but eventually, they had decided to move elsewhere. Since it was a small town, both their parents and grandparents figured that the kids would be alright with just the occasional help from neighbors, but that had not been how it worked at all.
Silas and Cora had always been close before, but after their home became their own, he pretty much moved in with the siblings. Not that many people knew that. Cora and Jason never prodded him about why. His situation was clearly different as he would disappear for a couple of months every year, but they were more than happy to have him around to help. He and Cora were in the same grade, even though she was a year older. Silas had always been smart, and the school had let him start school a year ahead of schedule. Jason loved having him around to help Cora with her homework since that gave him some time to himself. One of their neighbors helped with the groceries and another took care of the lawn, so things were not too bad, just not the usual childhood.
Still they had been happy through most of it. Or at least he had thought they were until one night when he realized just how much Cora hid behind her bouncy façade. Silas never had any idea about what kind of trips Jason and Cora took with their parents, not any more than they knew about his time away from them. It was a lot for any adult to deal with – and Cora had been dealing with it since she was ten. It would have been better if their parents had completely forgotten about their children instead of forcing their kids out on the family trips that they did take.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched his sister as she seemed to return more to normal, her purple hair moving around as she dug through the bag. Every couple of minutes he would say something to help her complete the check, but he was just glad to see that she was acting more like herself. Silas had been right, something was off, but for now she appeared to be alright. Jason knew it was because he was there, and it made him worry about what would happen when he left.
For the next two hours, they chatted and laughed as they made their way to the most challenging rock climb either of them had done. They had always done it together, all three times that they had done it. The experience was never a disappointment, so despite everything else going on, they were both feeling excitement and anticipation when they pulled into the parking area for the climb.