by Trumbo, Kari
He laughed and sank down on her couch, his legs so long his knees stuck up a little as he leaned against the back. “What’s this really about, Isla? I’ve told you many times that I don’t do anything outside of work and training with you. And I’ve never complained about that.”
It was against her nature to avoid him; she’d always been taught to hit problems head-on, but trying to figure out Duncan and the new normal, made her want to. “But, Christmas. You said you needed to buy some gifts and you never come to our house. Where do you go? If not to someone’s house?” She couldn’t mention the gift outright. He’d tell her eventually, but she wouldn’t ask and make herself cry. Her stomach dropped and the words almost wouldn’t come out through her dry throat. “Someone important enough that you would buy a gift for them months in advance.”
He smiled at her, and his dimple just about did her in. “So, you’re concerned that I’ve got someone special and I’m spending so much time with you, that I can’t spend time with them? Well, that’s partly true. I haven’t been back to the place where I spend Christmas in far too long. After we’re done shopping, I’ll take you there and you can meet everyone. It’ll set your mind at ease and prove to you that there is no one else. You ready to go?” He slapped his hands on his thighs as he stood.
How could he just brush off the conversation? Unless it wasn’t as important as she’d convinced herself it was. “I’d like that. I don’t know much about your personal life, honestly.” She’d fallen for the man he was around her, but who was he around everyone else?
“It’s settled then. Quick shopping trip, then over to Minneapolis to a very special place, then home to put your groceries away. Good thing we live in Minnesota and nothing will spoil in my trunk.”
She rolled her eyes. “Unless you take forever and my lettuce wilts.”
“I don’t think we’ll be spending that long. In fact, I can almost guarantee it. Since this was more of a challenge for you, not a fun outing, I’ll make sure the next thing we do is more enjoyable.”
His blue eyes roamed her face and she wondered if he found her pretty? He’d hinted that he thought so, and he certainly didn’t look away. “I guess I should look back at my list and guess. You did say you might not get to everything.”
“That’s true. There are a few things that will be difficult to produce, but I’m working on making as many happen as I can.” He turned her chair around and pushed her over to where her coat hung on the wall.
“You know, there’s at least one on that list you could probably forget about. I was…sort of joking.” But not really, she thought, and especially not after being so close to him at Buck Hill.
“Really? You seemed pretty serious so far. I guess when I’m done, you can tell me if I forgot an important one.”
He was being purposely silly and the crinkles beside his eyes as she threw a look back at him almost had her laughing right along with him, even though they were at her expense.
“Fine. We’ll do everything on the list you say, but just so you know, I don’t expect you to.”
He bent and picked up her grocery list, still lying on the floor where she’d left it, and handed it to her, sending a cascade of questions through her. He’d paid for everything so far, Buca, Buck Hill, all the driving… She wasn’t about to let him pay for her groceries. She glanced through her bag to make sure she had her wallet. “I’m ready.”
He nodded and slid her hat on her head, then tugged it down over her eyes for a moment. For a brief second, she thought he’d kiss her, but as she slid the hat back in place, his playful gaze was still the same as always.
Duncan pushed her chair out to his waiting blue car and helped her in. Though she wouldn’t complain about riding with him, it was so much easier in her van. The problem was, it also cost a lot more in gas than his little sedan, so they always took his car. When she was comfortable, he closed her door and made his way around to his side.
After a few minutes of driving, he pulled into a small chain grocery store. Since you had to rent a cart at that store by putting in a quarter, Duncan wouldn’t be able to use a wheelchair as she’d challenged him. She opened her mouth to protest, but he headed her off.
“I know what you’re going to say. ‘There are no wheelchairs for me here.’ I know that. However, I shop at one of these stores and the aisles are a little wider, and there are only two shelves, so you’ll probably have an easier time of it. The only issue is that they don’t have little baskets, either. If you decide to shop here without me, you’ll need to bring a box or bags.”
Why did she even bother wondering if he’d thought ahead? He always did. Even when it seemed like he didn’t, there was a reason for his choice.
“I’ll give it a try.” This store was yet another new experience, one that she hadn’t had a chance to think about or prepare for. Duncan slipped a quarter into the chain on the cart and it freed the end one. He pushed it through the automatic doors and stood where it would stay open for her.
Once inside, he was right. Most of the offerings were in boxes that were on one of two shelves, the uppers were a little hard to reach, but if she got her chair close enough, she could. They were so much easier than other stores. Duncan walked by her side, and though she had to look down her list often since nothing seemed to be in the right order, the whole store only had six aisles, so they got done quickly. As they approached the checkout, she noticed the one obstacle the store had, the conveyors were higher than other places. She could hardly see over the edge, and the person doing the checking was on a raised platform even higher, so the payment machine would be impossible to see.
Duncan helped her put everything on the conveyor, then he pushed the empty cart through to collect the groceries again at the end. She felt like a child, straining to see, and there wasn’t anything she could do to make herself taller. She pushed down to the checkout and the woman was already half done with her groceries.
“Good evening!” The woman’s cheery voice came over the wall of the conveyor.
“Hello,” Isla mumbled, not sure if she should ask for help or if there was a way. She handed Duncan her card. He slipped it into the machine and when it wanted a signature, he made a big x over the line. Up until then, she’d thought she could do a trip alone to that store, but maybe not. Duncan took the cart along the wall and started bagging all the groceries into reusable bags he’d brought in his coat. She pushed herself out of the way of the next person in line and waited until Duncan finished.
“I knew that last part would be impossible, and I’m not asking you to come here every week, but if I offered to come once in a while, would you want to at least pick out your own produce instead of ordering it?” He loaded the few bags back into the cart to take them outside.
Why did he keep wanting to do more and more with her? Didn’t he give her enough? Where would his generosity end? “It would be nice, once in a while, but when? You’re already committed and I’m pretty busy too.”
“It’s just a suggestion. If you want to, I’m here.” He smiled at her and pushed the cart toward the door.
“Anyway, let’s go meet this person who is so important to you so we can get home. I’m actually pretty worn out tonight.” It could have been the emotional strain of thinking about Duncan all day and worrying her life with him was over, or maybe her schedule was finally catching up with her, but she was ready for rest.
“Well, let’s get these in the car and we can go. It won’t take long.” The glint in his eye cooled just a bit and she wondered if he was embarrassed. This person wouldn’t know they planned to visit; wasn’t that rude? Her own mama would be furious if she disrespected her so.
“If you don’t want to take me, you don’t have to.” She pushed her chair so he could navigate the cart through the small parking lot.
“Don’t worry about it. I think you’ll see soon enough why I just don’t talk much about Christmas and why there isn’t anyone more important in my life than you. It’s not t
hat I want to take you, but I won’t hide things from you. If you really want to know, then ask.” He opened her door, then went to the trunk to put her groceries inside.
After she got herself into the car, she had a few moments to think about his words. There isn’t anyone in my life more important than you. She’d felt the same way for so long. Was it possible he was telling her, without telling her, that he’d noticed a shift in their friendship too?
Duncan got in and grabbed her hand, running his chilly thumb over the back. “You’re cool, best get the heat on for you.” He smiled as if he’d needed that excuse to hold her hand.
“Where is this place, because I’m beginning to think it isn’t someone’s house.” For whatever reason, that made her crazy happy.
“It isn’t, most of the time. You’ll see. It’s hard to explain. It has to do with the time when I wasn’t in school senior year.”
Oh. That time. She’d hated it. Her parents had worried and prayed that someone would find Duncan. He’d been missing for a few months, when all of a sudden he’d shown up on their doorstep, cold and apologetic asking if he could warm up and stay the night. He was eighteen at that point and out of foster care. He had no home, no clothes but those on his back, nothing.
Everyone had been so happy to see him that they’d jumped to help him get back into school so he could graduate. He’d worked hard and miraculously finished on time and he’d held her hand during the graduation ceremony when the salutatorian got to make the speech instead of her. She’d never even bothered telling her parents she’d achieved valedictorian, because she didn’t want them to raise a stink when there was nothing that could be done after the fact.
Duncan stopped in front of a massive seven-story building in an old part of Minneapolis. The street was empty and the orange street lights did little to light the deep shadows and sense of unease in that area of town. Duncan came around the car to help her out, and once she was in her seat she saw the name of the building was Higher Ground.
“So, this is where you hid from us all those months?” It had hurt when he’d disappeared without telling her. One day she’d shown up at school, and the next, he’d been gone. He’d been getting progressively moodier, and she couldn’t draw him out. He never had admitted to her exactly why he’d left, only that he needed to go.
“Not all of it, this is where I ended up right before I came back. And this is where I go every Christmas, to help out.”
“Oh.” She’d never even considered he would volunteer, but why not? Didn’t he give so much to the church anyway? “Why here? Is this the reason you came back?”
He turned her chair and pushed her toward the door. “Not this place, one of the women inside. I’d be surprised if she’s not there right now.” He opened the door and got Isla inside. After the dark shadow and feeling of foreboding outside, it was clean and bright, not at all what she’d expected. An older woman came from a back room, her dark curly hair wrapped in a beautiful scarf of more colors than Isla could identify.
“Duncan! Heavens, it’s been months since you came in here. I thought you’d forgotten about us.”
Another twinge of guilt nibbled at her. Hadn’t she offered just a few hours ago to give him more time? Why hadn’t he taken it?
“And who is this? Wait.” The woman’s brown eyes widened. “This is…” The woman inhaled a huge breath and before Isla could prevent it, she was in the middle of a crushing hug.
“Ms. Nina, this is Isla Flores.”
“Oh, I know exactly who this is. Thank you so much for finally bringing her by.” She backed up just a bit but didn’t release Isla’s shoulders. Her smile grew as she stared at Isla’s face. “I am so blessed to finally get to meet you. We’ve been hearing about you for ten years. Ten long years. I was beginning to think you didn’t really exist.”
Ten years? He’d talked about her when he’d been there the first time. Isla swung her glance over to Duncan, but all he did was smile a confirmation.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” She wished she could also say she’d known about this woman, this woman who obviously knew Duncan so well.
“Should I put you down for serving like usual on Christmas Eve?” The woman finally stood back up and fixed Duncan with her happy, but penetrating eyes.
Duncan’s mouth tipped up just a bit, but there was some sadness there, too. “Not this year. I have somewhere very important I need to be.” His gaze slid to Isla and Ms. Nina gasped. Isla’s stomach did a little flip. Was he talking about her?
“Oh, Duncan!” Ms. Nina rushed to him, and this time it was Duncan getting the bone-crushing hug. Was she happy Duncan had finally found somewhere to spend Christmas other than the shelter? Wouldn’t she miss the help?
When Ms. Nina finally released Duncan, he stepped back, a little red around the ears. “I’ll make it up to you, maybe try to come Christmas Day.”
She shook her head. “You’ll do no such thing. We’ll manage just fine. You have a wonderful holiday, but make sure to come see me once in a while. I’ve got to know how you’re doing.” She made her way back down the hall and Duncan took a deep breath.
“Ready to go home?”
She was, but more, she wanted to understand what Ms. Nina was so happy about, and why she suddenly felt fluttery for no apparent reason.
13
The final race of the season glared at Isla from her desk calendar. Only a little more than a week to practice, but her focus was off. Duncan still had a few things left on her list and he’d warned her they’d do one of them in six days, next Sunday. He didn’t usually do anything after church, and many places were closed on Sunday anyway.
She rolled her chair back from her desk, ready to think about lunch just as someone knocked on her door. She stared at it for a second because no one had buzzed her, and she didn’t know any of the other people in her apartment building. As she rolled for the door, Duncan’s voice came through.
“Hey, Isla? It’s me. Someone let me in the front.”
She took a deep breath and opened the door for him. He’d gotten a haircut and had on a new green sweater that made him look even taller than usual. In fact, she hadn’t noticed until just then how she had to crane her neck to look up at him.
“Um…what are you doing here? It’s the middle of the day.”
He smiled and that blasted dimple made her belly all fluttery once again. “I thought I’d take you to lunch before I take you on a long trip outside the cities. You’ll be outside quite a bit, and this one will have the benefit of helping you race.” He stood a little taller and looked smug, like he’d researched it.
“Outside. Well, there were a couple things on my list that were outdoor things, but only one that could be outside the cities… Are you taking me riding?” Her voice pitched high of its own volition, ending in an excited squeal. She’d always wanted to ride a horse, but her parents had been terrified to let her try.
“Yes, exactly. I called ahead and they’re confident you can ride. If you want a handler to walk next to you for the trail ride, you can have one there. The woman I spoke to said that as long as your balance is good, and your core strength can handle it, there’s no reason you can’t ride.”
“There’s no reason you can’t ride,” Isla repeated in a whisper. How often had she heard just the opposite? “What kind of place is this?”
Duncan knelt in front of her, his excitement pouring off him, infusing her. “It’s this amazing place. They do camps for kids with disabilities of all kinds, from Downs to…anything. They even have camps for wheelchair racing in the summer.”
She hadn’t heard of any such thing, but if it was far out of the cities, she wouldn’t have looked. Her parents had always liked her to be close by.
“Let’s get your coat. Are you okay with leaving a little work for this evening?”
Probably not, but she wasn’t about to tell him no. Not when she could see one of her dreams right in front of her. “I’ll manage. Let’s go.” She sho
ved the rest of the way to the door, and he followed with a chuckle.
After a quick stop for pizza, Duncan drove the rest of the way out to the Ironwood Springs camp. It was mostly empty, as the majority of their business was in summer. A woman in a wool coat and worn boots trudged outside and gave them a smile. As Duncan got out, the woman approached then bent at the waist and waved at Isla.
“You must be Duncan. The stable is down that way.” She indicated where he should park and which way to go from there. “And Becka is waiting for you. She’ll take Isla on a short ride in the arena first to see how well she handles it, then you can go out on the trail.”
Duncan slid back in the car and pulled it into a parking spot. Isla shoved the car door open as soon as he had it in park. Every girl she’d known from about the age of eight on had wanted to ride a pony, and just being in a chair didn’t stop that dream. Duncan trotted around the car to catch her before she could reach her chair in the back seat.
“Whoa there.” He laughed. “We’ll get you to the arena and they’ll help you, see if you’re comfortable or if you want a wrangler to walk alongside you.”
She’d heard, but couldn’t wait a second longer. “Too much talking, not enough helping.” She laughed, but this exhilarated her even more than racing. He didn’t even bother to grab her chair, he just lifted her up and headed for the barn.
“Duncan! What are you doing?” It was like he’d left her legs behind. She didn’t usually go anywhere without her chair.
“It will just be in the way in here, you won’t need it.”
He crossed the threshold and two horses waited, standing by the fence, haltered and saddled. A woman stood next to them, tightening and checking the saddle of one of the horses. She waved and made her way over to them.
“Good afternoon! I’m Becka and this is Silver and that’s Dollar.” Silver was speckled red and white, and Dollar was black with huge chocolate eyes and long lashes. “They’re used to working all year long as therapy horses. We get the calmest animals possible and train them to act on certain cues.” She patted the red’s neck. “Silver will be your mount, Isla. She’s used to carrying people who have no ability to give leg cues. Though, most of our horses will just follow in a line during a trail ride anyway.”