Mr. and Mrs. Bransford didn’t make it the whole way across, but they did so much better than previous tries. He could tell they were encouraged. And then there was no one left but Amanda and Ethan. Michael thought about letting the other man hang himself on his arrogance, but he couldn’t stand the idea of Amanda having to deal with it. Instead, he opted for standing behind Ethan as he made the attempt.
Michael kept his gaze glued to Amanda, tuned in for any sign that she might be ready to falter. He fed Ethan the information he needed to adjust to keep them both on the wires, but it was Amanda who held his complete attention. Amanda whose gaze he held as she and the other man worked their way to the trees. And when they tapped out and jumped down amid their teammates’ cheers, it was Ethan who swung her up into his arms, kissing her in triumph.
––––––––
“WHY DID WE agree to do this again?” asked Gabe, running backward so he could hit her with the full force of his glare.
“Because you love me and want to help me,” said Amanda. She gave him her bestyou know it’s truesmile and tried to even out her breathing as they headed up the hill. Beside her, Becca gasped for breath.
“I’m not sure I love you enough for this.” Becca was more yoga than cardio and Amanda could tell she minded running more than the rest of them.
Not every pair participated in every event, but the final event of the challenge was a relay and the entire team competed. It meant they each had to run a three-mile leg, which was why they were hoofing it around their childhood neighborhood before Sunday dinner at their parents’ house. At least there was pot roast and one of their mom’s peach cobblers waiting for them at the end of this endurance test.
“Sure you do,” Amanda said, fighting for breath as they crested the hill.
They’d barely gone a mile and a half and she was already struggling. At least they had the long downhill to look forward to.
“You owe us. Big time,” said Gabe.
She did. How many people had siblings who would give up six weekends to torture themselves just to help out? And it wasn’t even for her; she’d asked for Ethan, to make things easier for him and keep him from losing face in front of his boss.
“I do. You’re right,” Amanda said, picking up speed to keep pace with her brother. His breathing hadn’t changed. He might as well be out for a Sunday stroll. “Name it and it’s yours. Seriously, I really appreciate you guys doing this. I know Ethan does too.”
“We did it for you.” Becca stayed on Gabe’s heels, determination etched on her face as they reached the bottom of the hill.
“Speaking of which, where is the guy? Hello, Mrs. Smith,” Gabe called out, waving. The older woman was in her front yard, watering her sedum. She gave Gabe a grudging look, but when Amanda and Becca raised their hands, she waved back. Growing up, the Southerland brothers had been murder on her garden. Runaway skateboards and errant balls took out more than one prized plant over the years. From her expression, it didn’t appear she’d gotten over it.
“Yeah,” said Becca. “Why isn’t Ethan out here suffering along with us?”
The way she said his name made it clear her boyfriend wasn’t her sister’s favorite person. Unfortunately, the feeling was mutual, but he still could have shown up to train with them. He told her he’d be there in time for dinner, but given the way he felt about her family, she was half expecting to get a text any minute saying he’d have to take a rain check.
She was being unfair. Work kept him really busy. She didn’t know what it was like to have a job like his. She made her living guiding other climbers and working in the Next Mountain Supply Shop.She didn’t have to work overtime or take work home with her. Ethan’s job at Bransford was far more demanding than hers. He was responsible for people’s retirements, their whole life savings in some cases.
“He couldn’t get away, but he’ll be here for dinner,” she said, hoping she was telling the truth.
Gabe rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything. In a moment, they hit another hill, and Becca and Amanda were too busy trying to catch their breath to talk.
By the time they got back to their parents’ house, Amanda was seriously reconsidering ever agreeing to the challenge in the first place, let alone dragging her brother and sister along with her. But then she opened the door to her childhood home and the aroma of her momma’s pot roast reordered her priorities.
“We’re back!” she called, heading toward the delicious scents.
“In here,” called her mother.
She got to the kitchen just in time to see her mother bend over to grab a potholder out of the drawer and her father cop a quick feel.
“Eww,” said Becca, sounding a decade younger than her twenty-five years.
“I think old people in love are cute. Hey, Momma.” Gabe pressed a kiss to their mother’s cheek, and she swatted him with the oven mitt.
“Who are you calling old?” Their mother pressed the potholders against her brother’s chest. “You sweaty thing,” she said, patting his cheek affectionately. “Here, get the roast out of the oven for me.”
They moved through the kitchen, taking up their old roles as if they’d never left. Becca put ice in the glasses and Amanda set the table, while her parents dished up mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli to go with the beef and roasted vegetables. The feelings of family and home were so strong; it was like being snuggled in a blanket.
It had been too many Sundays since they’d all been home together for dinner, and she could tell by the expression on her mother’s face how much it meant to her. Emerson was the only one missing. He was out of the country again, for at least another week if she was remembering right.
“Is Ethan going to be joining us?” asked her mother.
“It would be just like him to miss the work and show up for dinner,” said her brother.
