“What can I get you for breakfast?”
Ana pushed at the ridges in the tablecloth and said defensively, “I’m not hungry, Mom,”
“Wrong answer. How about some yogurt—or at least a banana?” Melissa said, holding out the yellow fruit.
“Fine.” Ana grabbed the banana. She took a bite and asked, “What happened last night, I don’t remember going to bed.”
“You fell asleep after Tera and Jace left. Then Chance carried you up to your room. He seemed really concerned about you.” Melissa faced out the kitchen window and avoided her daughter’s eyes. Ana appreciated that her mother maintained her promise to keep her thoughts private on the subject.
“I’ll call him. Let him know I’m fine.”
Ana took another bite of banana while she walked out the back door. She dropped onto a patio chair, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back to let the sun warm her skin. She called Chance and watched three red squirrels race across the lawn, scavenging for food.
“Ana?” Chance answered, breathless.
“Hey, I wanted to call you and let you know I’m feeling fine this morning.” She emphasized the word fine and said, “I just needed a little rest. It was a long week. Mom tells me you helped me get to bed—um, thanks.”
“Yeah, I was worried. I’m glad you’re feeling better now.”
A bird screeched from their yard and it echoed from the other end of the phone. “Where are you?” she asked, suspicious.
There was a pause before Chance answered. “Taking a walk in the forest. I need to head back though. Grandfather’s expecting me.”
He seemed impatient and she didn’t want to keep him. “Okay. You want to call me back later then?”
“Yeah. Thanks for everything last night. Your family’s certainly entertaining.” Ana heard his deep chuckle and joined in.
“Aren’t they? Well, I’ll talk to you later. Bye, Chance.”
“Bye, Ana.”
She snapped her phone shut and went back into the house, and her thoughts turned to the pile of homework that was due on Monday. It was time to come back to reality. To face her responsibilities. After she tossed the banana peel into the trash, she lumbered upstairs to her desk.
Chapter 12
Cool blades of grass tickled Ana’s exposed skin as she lay in the warm sunlight during lunch period. She heard muffled voices around her in the courtyard as though she were behind sheet glass.
Suddenly, the heat from the sun dissolved into cool shade. She opened her eyes and blinked at the form blocking her light.
Chance stood with an amused grin while Ana attempted to focus on him. She smiled and patted the grass next to her. He sat down beside her. Five sets of eyes turned to face Chance, while Laura threw a suggestive grin at Ana. Ana looked away and fixed her gaze on the Chance. A moment passed and the girls resumed their conversations.
Ana closed her eyes and said, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chance propped himself back on his elbow and asked, “Want to go on a nature walk tomorrow?”
Ravens squawked and pecked at some scattered chips strewn on the ground. Chance threw a pebble at them, and they scattered.
Without warning, hands balled up and his face darkened. Ana searched around, looking for the trigger of his bad mood. Then she heard the guffaws from across the lawn near the chain link fence and noticed some boys glancing over at them and laughing.
Ana propped herself up and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like what they’re saying.”
Ana frowned. “But, they’re too far away to hear. Just ignore them.”
Chance stared back over at the ravens, which had resettled around the spilled chips.
“So, I thought I’d show you what I do to unwind. I’ve tracked the area really well. There are some pretty sweet places I’d like to show you,” he said. The crows stopped their chatter and glanced at him.
“I’ll have to check with Aunt Tera—see if I can drop Eva off with her after school.” Then she added, “I’m not much of a hiker. Is the trail flat or rocky?”
“No worries. I’ll take care of you.” Chance’s serious face met hers and Ana nodded. She wanted to believe him but didn’t feel much relief from his assurance.
Later that day, when Ana got home with her sister, she called her aunt to make arrangements. “Aunt Tera, is it okay if I drop Eva off at your house after school tomorrow? Chance and I were going to hang out.”
Ana could just imagine the suggestive grin her aunt wore at that moment and could heard the smile in her voice. “Sure, sweetie. I can just pick her up from school if that makes it easier for you. Mel can swing by after work and get her before going home.”
Eva stared at Ana suspiciously, questioning what was happening on the phone. She began to tap her foot and narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed.
“Thanks, Aunt Tera, I appreciate it.”
Before she hung up the phone her aunt said, “You have fun and say hi to Chance for me.”
Ana pleaded with her sister as she flipped her phone shut. “Please? I bet Aunt Tera will make you those awesome chewy chocolate cookies if you ask.”
The thought of their Aunt’s cookies made Eva grin, and she nodded. Getting stuck at Aunt Tera and Uncle Jace’s house ensured, at the very least, that you’d be fed well. This was probably the reason for Uncle Jace’s pot belly.
Ana phoned Chance and he seemed to have anticipated her call, because he picked up before the first ring had finished.
“All right, we’re set for tomorrow. Aunt Tera’s gonna pick Eva up after school. So, I’ll be ready when the bell rings.”
“Excellent,” he said.
“Remember—take it easy on me,” Ana warned him.
“Scout’s honor.” He laughed into the phone.
“Are you even a boy scout? Anyway, are you taking me somewhere special, or is it a secret?” she asked, thinking about their nighttime trip to the lake.
“You’ll like it and I promise, no hiking.” Chance seemed to enjoy Ana’s curiosity. It was obvious he was excited to share his knowledge about the local wildlife.
“Well then, I can’t wait.”
An awkward silence came to saying goodbye. He cleared his throat and said in an undertone, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ana.”
“Bye,” Ana said and rested the phone against her cool lips.
Chapter 13
After school Chance, grabbed her hand and led her to the parking lot.
“Where’s the fire,” Ana asked, glancing from side to side in mock horror.
It was the first time he’d held her hand and her skin tingled at his touch. She enjoyed the closeness and familiarity it offered.
Chance squeezed her fingers and said with a twinkle in his eye, “Let’s get out of here. I want as much time possible outdoors before sundown.”
She slid into the familiar cab and Chance joined her within moments. He pulled away from school and after they left town he exited onto an unfamiliar stretch of highway. They drove along the river for turning onto a road that took them even closer to the water. Eventually they came to a dead end and parked.
Ana reached for the door handle and asked, “Where are we?”
“This is the Clark Bend River. If you go south as the bird flies your home isn’t far.”
“You go fishing here?” Ana remembered his reference to fishing with his dad when he spoke to Uncle Jace.
“This is a place I go. . .to observe animals.” One brow arched and his mind seemed engaged elsewhere.
When she got out of the truck the grassy plain stretched before her. Bright spring grass dotted with purple flowers and distant mountains shone bright with white capped peaks.
Chance held his hand out to Ana and he led her through the calf deep growth. Both of them avoided looking at each other, still nervous with physical contact. Ana’s palms prickled from the electricity shared between them.
Afte
r walking a short distance, Chance tilted his head and stopped. Ana looked in the same direction only to discover a small herd of elk grazing. One lifted its head and seemed to catch Chance’s gaze.
“Elk,” he said in an undertone. “They eat just like cows do and have two stomachs. They need a huge amount of food every day. They chew it, regurgitate and chew it again before it goes to their second stomach. This is a herd of females and that one, over there—” He pointed toward a round bellied female who was watching them. “Is pregnant. Her calf should be born soon. In the next couple of weeks.”
Ana listened intently, amazed at his expertise. “How do you know so much about them?”
“I’m outside a lot. Grandfather’s my guide. He knows everything about the wildlife here.”
They wandered along a faint trail while Chance pointed out plants and animals. Ana marveled at his knowledge and became enthralled with his hazel eyes as they flashed in the soft light.
“Here, this is for you.” He picked a yellow flower. The leaves formed a perfect heart shape and the flower itself reminded her of a yellow daisy.
“Heartleaf Arnica,” he said, his eyes staring straight into hers.
Ana spun it between her fingers. “I think I’ve heard of Arnica.”
“It’s used on the skin to prevent infections. It’s put in salves.”
“You could fill an encyclopedia with all of your knowledge.” Ana laughed and pushed against his solid chest. Distracted by his sinewy build, she dropped her hand slowly.
Chance’s breath caught. Her physical contact had clearly broken his concentration. He seemed lost in thought, unable to find words. Her stomach flipped, and she found a way to distract herself. “Umm, maybe you can tell me something about foxes. You know, I saw one near my house the other day. It was the first time I’ve ever seen one—it was so cute. It didn’t seem frightened of me at all.”
Chance coughed, his eyes went wide and he fidgeted with his hands before saying, “Red foxes. Well, they’re omnivores. They eat just about anything and have excellent hearing. They hunt alone and are at the top of their food chain. I mean, as long as coyotes don’t come around.” Chance scratched his head laughed to himself. “When they shriek, it sounds weird, like a human screaming. They’re cunning and wise. Native tribes view them as messengers.”
“Hmm, a messenger? Wonder what message it was delivering? Hey, aren’t they nocturnal?”
Chance answered slowly, “Yes, they’re known to be nocturnal, but can be active in the daytime.”
“Well, the one I saw was during the middle of the day. I wonder if I’ll see it again. Maybe its den’s nearby.”
Once Ana started thinking about all of her recent animal sightings, she also remembered the yellow eyes that tracked her while she stargazed. She saw them every evening in one of the fir trees above her rock. “What about owls?”
Chance’s eyes widened. She watched him shove his hands into his pockets and roll a pebble around with his foot. “Hmm?”
“What types of owls are around here? I saw a really big one the other night and I keep seeing eyes watching me when I’m stargazing. It must be injured though, it’s not very graceful. It doesn’t fly very well.”
Chance chuckled. Had she said something funny?
When her questioning gaze fell on him, his smile disappeared and he answered, “It could have been a horned owl. They can get pretty big.”
Although she’d held up fairly well during their walk, Ana’s body drooped with fatigue. They hadn’t gone very far—she could even see his truck from their vantage point, but simply standing was too much for her. As much as she didn’t want to draw attention to her exhaustion, she couldn’t hide from it any longer. “Do you mind if we find a place to sit? I’m feeling a bit tired.”
Chance nodded and led her down to the river’s edge. A granite boulder served as a perfect seat. They sat beside each other and watched the water swirl past. Occasionally Chance would point out the form of a fish moving below the surface. Ana wondered at his ability to see and hear the elements around them.
When Ana’s stomach growled, she realized how late it was. “I need to get home. I still have homework to do,” she said, throwing a smooth flat stone, skipping it across the water.
Chance stood and helped her up, his hands lingered on her waist while he helped her back onto the trail. “Me, too.”
***
Chance drove Ana to her car in the empty parking lot at school. He looked over at her wilted silhouette and didn’t want to leave her.
Ana shivered and rubbed her arms after a cool breeze blew through the valley. She reached in her pocket for her car keys while Chance pulled off his thin jacket and draped it around her shoulders. He caught the fragrance of her hair as he brushed past and drank it in. How could she smell so good?
She pulled her arms into the sleeves. “Thanks, I’ll return it tomorrow.”
“No problem.”
Chance held her gaze then walked to his truck and waved before he got in. He marveled at the physical pain it caused him to separate from her.
He waited for Ana to get into her van and leave before he leaned his head against the wheel. His feelings were stronger than anything he’d ever experienced and expanded into every cell of his body. Helpless to the power of attraction, he started his truck and started home.
Chapter 14
The rest of the week went smoothly for Ana. Happiness began to take hold where her loneliness had once reigned.
She came home after school on Friday excited about her plans that night with Chance. Dropping her bag to the floor, she filled her mother in. “Tonight we’re going out on the lake again. Then Chance wants to take me on another nature walk on Sunday!”
Melissa said while she kicked off her flats and sat on the couch, “That’s great, baby. Maybe you should take a light jacket tonight. It looks like it’s getting a little windy. Are you going to stick around for dinner?”
“Nope, Chance is bringing something for us to eat.”
Ana ran up to her room, changed into warmer clothes and tried to keep herself busy until he arrived. Finally, she heard tires on the driveway and ran downstairs. Her mother was in the kitchen with an unwrapped frozen lasagna dinner and a stack of bills beside her on the counter.
“Chance is here, Mom. I’m gonna go now—love you.” Ana leaned in and kissed her mother on the cheek.
Eva walked into the kitchen with a disappointed look. “You’re going out, again? Leaving me with Mom alone? I wanted to hang out with you,” she said, her shoulders slumped.
Ana rubbed her back. “I’m sorry D. We’ll hang out in the morning. I bet Mom would love doing something with you tonight.”
Melissa nodded and said, “You can pick the movie tonight.”
Eva shrugged and walked glumly back to the living room. She plopped herself down on the couch and slumped over just as the doorbell rang. Ana rushed to the front door to meet Chance and said, “Can you give me just a minute? I need to talk to my sister before we go.”
“Sure—I’ll be in the truck.” Chance turned around and walked down the front walk.
Ana shut the door and returned to the couch to sit beside her sister. She wrapped an arm around her and squeezed. “What’s wrong?”
Eva clutched her folded arms against her body. Her brow pulled down as though she was determined not to answer. Ana continued to hold her, waiting patiently.
Eva’s lower lip trembled. “You’re gone so much now. You don’t spend any time with me anymore.”
Ana took a deep breath. “I know, I’m sorry. You’re used to me being around all the time. Say, maybe I can check with Chance and see if you can come on our nature walk this weekend. Would you like that?”
Eva peeked up at her sister and the corners of her mouth pulled up in response. She shrugged and answered. “Sure.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Chance tonight and let you know tomorrow. Have a good time wi
th Mom and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Ana gave her one last squeeze, got up and waved to their mom who stood in the kitchen doorway monitoring the discussion. Melissa nodded and took Ana’s place at the couch.
With a heavy heart, she left the house. Ana hadn’t considered how her sister felt. Eva was used to being with her all the time and Ana had always been there for her. But now, it must have felt like she was abandoning her.
When Ana joined Chance in the cab, he noticed her mood and asked, “What’s wrong?”
He adjusted his body to face her, resting his fingers on her shoulder.
“It’s my sister. I haven’t been thinking about her much lately. She misses me. I’m normally around all the time, but now. . .”
Ana looked out the window toward the house and pulled some loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“We could take her along on our walk on Sunday. You think she’d like that?” he asked.
“That’d be great—thanks.” Ana hugged him, relieved that he understood. They pulled away awkwardly from each other, still unsure of the foreignness of physical closeness.
“All right, are we ready?” he asked. She turned around and peered out the cab’s rear window to inspect the boat strapped to the truck.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
While driving alongside the lake, Ana recognized the previous place they’d stopped when he took her out on the boat, but they passed right by it.
“Are we going somewhere new?”
Chance flashed his heart-melting smile at her, which caused her heart to flicker. “There are too many beautiful places here for me to take you to the same place twice.”
They continued to drive for another five minutes before he parked at a turnout and jumped out of the cab. Safely inside, Ana observed him carry the boat over his head down to the water’s edge. She couldn’t help but notice his muscles flex from use.
When Chance returned, he grabbed the oars and a basket from the back of the truck. Ana followed him to the shore and helped load their things into the boat. She climbed in and then Chance handed her the paddles before pushing the boat out and jumping in.
Chance glanced at the basket that lay between them at the bottom of the boat and retrieved the paddles from her. “So, I hope you like burritos. Something easy to eat, I figured.”
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