“I’ll never understand women as long as I live,” David complained.

Braxton laughed out loud as he stood by and watched their paragliding pilot adjust David’s harness before they lifted off. “You and me both, brother.”

It was a beautiful Sunday in Draper, Utah, and after watching Braxton and the pilot complete their tandem paragliding flight, he couldn’t wait to get in the air. He needed something to help take his mind off Candice and soaring a few thousand feet in the air felt like an ideal way to do just that.

David checked his helmet to make sure it was snug and fastened securely while the pilot double-checked everything else, from the reserve parachute to the canopy and brake handles. Once that was done, he stood behind David and attached their harnesses together before signaling Braxton to take a few steps back so they could launch.

David gave him a thumbs-up and seconds later he and the pilot were running downhill. The pilot pulled on the canopy, which inflated and rose high in the air above them, lifting them off the ground. It was an amazing rush of adrenaline when they were airborne, and as they flew through the air, David had never felt more alive.

While the pilot worked the controls, he soaked in the stunning views, from the rugged landscape to the Great Salt Lake and the mountains looming in the distance. He closed his eyes for a moment and savored the wind on his face, but he couldn’t stop his mind from wondering what Candice would think if she could see him now. He pictured her waving to him from the ground and the excited look on her face when it was her turn to fly.

Paragliding was just one of the things he wanted to experience with Candice. He had an endless list of adventures they could take together, but the possibility of that happening was steadily slipping through his fingers, and he had no idea what to do next. She was by far one of the most confusing women he’d ever met, but he wasn’t about to give up.

David opened his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts so he could enjoy the remainder of the flight, which lasted another half hour. As they made their descent, he saw Braxton leaning against his truck, and when their feet touched the ground, he started clapping. The adrenaline flowing through his veins made his heart race uncontrollably, and he was tempted to pay for another flight and do it all over again.

“Wasn’t that incredible?” Braxton called as David and the pilot slowly made their way back to the launch area.

He nodded enthusiastically. The pilot helped him out of his harness while he and Braxton compared notes and agreed to do it again soon. He was certain their pilot probably thought they sounded like two goofy adrenaline junkies, but they couldn’t help it. The whole experience was such a rush and something he’d never forget.

After turning in the equipment and talking to their pilot a few more minutes, David and Braxton headed home to Lehi. They’d spent the entire day fishing, kayaking, and paragliding, and they were both tired and ready to get home. When he called Braxton first thing that morning and relayed the events of his day with Candice and Sarah, Braxton promised to take his mind off his troubles for a while, and that’s exactly what he did.

“Thank you for getting me away from the house today,” David said. “It really helped.”

Braxton reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too. Truth be known, I was in need of a little getaway myself. Lynda and Andrea were planning on redecorating Andrea’s room today, and I didn’t want to get caught in the middle of that.”

David laughed when the image of Braxton surrounded by his daughter’s girly possessions crossed his mind. He envied the closeness he shared with his family, and it reminded him of his day with Sarah and being able to watch her experience some firsts like seeing a buffalo and petting a horse.

“I would give anything if Candice and Sarah would ask me to help them with something like that. I wish I could understand why Candice keeps pushing me away.”

Braxton didn’t reply, and as David looked out the passenger side window, he thought back to how Candice had met him outside her house instead of inviting him inside the day before. He was probably blowing it out of proportion, but perhaps she knew from the beginning that she didn’t want a relationship with him, so she kept that part of her life private.

“David, I know you don’t want to hear this, but in a way, I can understand why Candice feels the way she does. She’d dealt with a lot of loss in her short lifetime, and she’s probably afraid the two of you will get serious and she’ll have to uproot her family and move someday. I can’t imagine doing that. We’ve both lived in Lehi our whole lives, and this is home.”

David groaned. “But I don’t have any intentions of getting another job or moving somewhere else. I wouldn’t do that to her and Sarah. I like it here, and I love my job.”

Braxton started slowing down when the street light they came upon turned yellow. “Look, just hear me out a second. I know you don’t see that happening now, but from what you’ve told me, you’ve never been in one place for very long since you graduated high school.”

David crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “One of the reasons I accepted the job at MBC is because it’s more stable. Yes, I won’t deny it would be tempting if Aaron wanted me to oversee a job in another state, but I would just explain my situation to him the same way I’m explaining it to you right now. I’m getting older, and I’m ready to settle down and live in one zip code for the rest of my life.”

Braxton furrowed a brow. “And you let Candice know that too?”

David threw his hands in the air. “Yes! I tried, but I don’t think she believed me.”

They rode in silence for a few minutes, and David leaned against the headrest and closed his eyes. His temples throbbed, and he couldn’t wait to get home so he could take a long, hot shower and go to bed. “Has Aaron ever sent you to work on a project out of state?” he asked.

Braxton shook his head. “When he first hired me, I told him I needed to stay close to home, but he understood why. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of months before my high school graduation. She had to quit her job when she started chemotherapy, and my dad began working double shifts so he could pay her medical bills. I don’t have any siblings, so I was the only one left to care for her. I had the opportunity to attend a university on the East Coast on a baseball scholarship, but when my mom got sick, my life changed drastically, and I wasn’t able to go. I drove her to all her chemo treatments. I shaved her head when her hair started falling out in clumps, and I kept her spirits up when she felt like giving up because it was too painful. After a while, I realized I was right where I was meant to be and moving to the East Coast was out of the question. My mom’s cancer went into remission, and I started working at MBC. I could’ve chosen a higher paying job in Missouri, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to leave my mom. I met Lynda, and we fell in love and got married, and a year later, we had Andrea. A couple of years ago, Mom’s cancer returned, but this time, I had Lynda to help take her to chemo when I wasn’t able to. She’s in remission again, and once again, I’m thankful I was by her side through it all.”

David nodded. “I’m glad she’s okay. I would’ve done the exact same thing if that happened to my mom.”

A couple of minutes later, Braxton pulled into David’s driveway and turned off the engine. He glanced at his front porch, and he shook his head when he noticed his next-door neighbor’s German shepherd was asleep on his porch swing again. “Should I give Candice some space? What would you suggest I do? Giving up isn’t an option.”

Braxton leaned back in his seat. “And I still don’t think you should give up either. I wish I knew what to tell you, David. I really do. I know you enjoyed your time with her and Sarah yesterday, and I think that’s awesome, but they’ve both been through a lot, so a little space might help. Be her friend but don’t push. I know it probably sounds cliché, but if it’s meant to be, it will happen. Just make sure this is what you really want, and don’t become a fixture in their lives if you’re not a hundred percent certain you plan on staying there because that wouldn’t be fair to them.”

David sighed. “Do you think I’m not the type of man to settle down?”

Braxton shifted in his seat and put his hands on the steering wheel. “We haven’t known each other long, but I can tell you’re an adventurous person, David. You’ve told me yourself how much you enjoyed traveling and taking on construction assignments all over the United States while you worked for Owens Industries. I know you want to settle down and have a family and you can see yourself doing that with Candice and Sarah, so if you believe you’re ready to do that, then I believe you.”

They talked a while longer before David got out of the truck and Braxton left for home. As he stepped on to his front porch, the German shepherd lifted his head and gave him a curious look. David sat on the swing beside him and was surprised when the dog didn’t take off running.

“You know, if you’re going to keep sleeping at my house, then you should at least tell me your name,” he joked.

The dog’s ears perked up, and when David rubbed his neck, he moved closer and rested his head on David’s leg. He remained there and swung a long time while the dog napped, and as his thoughts turned to Candice, he tossed around a few ideas that would keep him close to her but not make him appear too pushy, like Braxton suggested. When his headache returned, he decided to give his plans a rest for the night and get some sleep.

“You have no idea just how good you have it,” he said to the dog.

No sooner had the words left his mouth when he heard a dog barking a couple of houses down, and the German shepherd jumped off the swing and started running. David peered over the porch railing and saw a cocker spaniel with a frilly pink collar around its neck sitting in someone’s front yard, and the German shepherd went right to her.

“Poor guy.” David laughed. “I guess I spoke too soon.”