“You did,” I turned back to Mason and said with a smile. “If you feel okay, try to take a few steps. I’m here for you tograbonto.”
Wesley nodded and cautiously tried to walk. He managed to get halfway across the room before he gasped and his knees buckled. Instantly I shot out and grabbed him, pulling him against mychest.
Wesley was panting heavily in shock. Without thinking, I gently stroked his hairsoothingly.
“Are you alright?” Iasked.
Wesley nodded and said breathlessly, “Yes. I just don’t think I canwalkyet.”
Gently, I helped him back to the bed, where he sat with a flushed face. I felt bad for him; I wished Mason and Charlie weren’t here to seehimfall.
“Wait here,” I toldWesley.
A moment later, I returned with a wheelchair and some of my clothes. “Here. You’re well enough to go outside. I don’t want to take that away from you anylonger.”
Wesley blinked down at the wheelchair. “I don’t know how touseone.”
“I’m going to push it for you. Come on, I’ll helpyouin.”
After giving Wesley something to wear that wasn’t a hospital gown, he sat down in the wheelchair. I took the handles and wheeled him out. He took one last glance at the office over his shoulder before we exited the main entrance hallway and entered the outside world. He blinked at the sudden sunlight shining downonhim.
Charlie and Mason followedusout.
“Where should we go first?” Mason asked. “Ooh, what about that ice creamplace?”
“I like the cafe we went to for your baby shower,”Charliesaid.
Wesley didn’t seem like he was listening to them anymore. His eyes were wide in awe as he took in his brand newsurroundings.
“Guys?” I told my friends. “Maybe this is something Wesley and I should doourselves.”
They exchanged glances beforenodding.
“Sure,”Charliesaid.
“See you guys later,” Mason said, waving us off. “Shit, nowIwant some ice cream…Let’sgo.”
They left, leaving Wesley and I alone together. I looked down at him. He hadn’t said a word since we left theoffice.
“How are you feeling?” Iasked.
“Weird,” hemurmured.
“Weird?”
“No, not me, I meant… everything is sodifferenthere.”
I followed his gaze and looked around. I was so used to my pack and town, but Wesley was seeing it for the first time. I tried to see things through his eyes. Of course, I didn’t have anything to compareitto.
“Is it… nicer than Scarlet Ridge?” Iasked.
Wesley paused. “It’sdifferent.”
A moment later I asked, “Do you know why it’s called IndigoMountainpack?”
“No.Why?”
“I’llshowyou.”
