She hesitated for a bit, chewing on her inner cheek to process those thoughts again. Patience was the key; had been sixteen years ago too.
“I love my job. Maybe not as much as I did when I first started but it’s familiar and comfortable and I know how to do it. For the most part it doesn’t feel like work.”
Zac nodded. “It’s a good feeling.”
“It is, but . . .” More hesitation. Zac didn’t dare move beyond snapping a few more pictures for fear of spooking her into clamming up again. “Before assigning me this article—with OtB—Claudia told me my work was slipping. That it wasn’t as believable as it was when I first started.”
“Is there any truth to her claim?” Zac knew the answer to that. When he’d pulled up old issues ofRock 'n' Ropes, the earlier articles outshined the newer ones by a mile. But he refused to fess up to doing the online stalker thing.
Tabitha fidgeted. He caught her nervous fiddles and wiggles with each snap of the shutter.
“Yes.” Her eyes glistened. But only for a second. She brushed away the hint of moisture and squared her shoulders. “Coming here was the first time I’ve climbed outdoors since . . . well. In a very long time. The tone of my writing changed because I wasn’t an active participant in the adventures I wrote about.”
“Why not?”
“I got hurt,” she stated matter-of-factly as though that would distance her from it.
“How?” Zac needed to know. He needed to find out what she’d hurt so he could cover it in kisses.
She sighed. Heavily.
Again with the patience. Zac remained behind the camera, taking photo after photo as her lovely features shifted to display a variety of emotions.
“I went climbing with a group of singles on my thirty-fifth birthday and I fell.”
The camera dropped. Thankfully he wore the strap that looped around his neck. “What? How?”
“My belay buddy was flirting with the belayer next to him. He wasn’t paying attention when I tried to clip my third bolt. Fed me too much slack.” She took a steadying breath before continuing. “I slipped before I could clip and decked.”
“Holy fuck, Tabitha!” Rage bubbled over as he stepped closer and grabbed her shoulders. “What were you thinking climbing with some rando? You could have been killed.”
She shrugged his hands off her. “But I wasn’t.”
“What did you hurt?” He’d tempered his anger, but no doubt she’d catch the nostril flaring.
“Left femur. Clean break. Not compound, thankfully. I got a metal rod and a handful of screws out of the deal.” She smiled sadly. “Oh, and six months of recovery and physical therapy.”
She’d gone through hell. And Zac hadn’t been there to help her. Why would he have been? He’d been out of her life, forgotten, long before the accident. Still, guilt seeped into him, and he dropped to his knees. Before she could ask what he was doing, his hands were gliding over her thigh. Inch after inch, he placed kisses along her goose-bumped skin. He paused at her surgery scars—had assumed they were scrapes and cuts from normal climbing activities, not because of some fucker’s negligence. He stood and cupped her face in his hands. Planted a hearty kiss on her lips.
“You were too scared to go out again?”
She bristled. “Right.”
“I’m not judging. Not in the slightest, tabby cat. I’m sorry you went through that. And I don’t blame you for not wanting to repeat history. And I’m proud of you for being brave and coming out here this week.”
He laid one more gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Anyways.R ‘n’ Ris going through major budget cuts. Claudia told me the OtB article was my chance to ensure I’m not laid off with the others at the magazine. I figured it's now or never. Time to get back on the horse.”
“Are you glad you did?”
“Yes. Falling boulders notwithstanding.” She chuckled and rewarded Zac with a chaste kiss. “I’ve missed this.”
“Me too.” Zac lifted the camera and resumed shooting.
“Can I ask you a question . . . about the past?” Tabitha asked, clearly trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
“Of course.” Here it came, but he was ready for it. There was no way they’d get through the week without it coming up.
