My heart pounds in my chest, galloping like a herd of wild horses trying to outrun a wrangler.
“Harrison? What’s wrong? You’re pale.” Delaney’s concerned eyes pierce me, and I hate that I’m causing her to worry. I inhale deeply through my nose and release it through my mouth.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. You ready?” I try to force excitement I’m not feeling into my voice, and it sounds fake, probably because it is.
At the last minute, we opted not to use our bikes but to enjoy a leisurely walk through the park today. Since we always ride on the left path, Delaney wanted to take the right one, and I didn’t know how to tell her no. So, we’re goingthere—the part of the park I hate.
I grab Delaney’s hand and move my legs, heavy as lead, down the dirt trail. Dad always said this kind of terrain was perfect for running because it’s easier on the knees than concrete. We ran this trail several times a week.
Then he died, and I haven’t been on this path for thirteen years.
Until now.
We trek along in silence for a few minutes, then I sneak a glance at Delaney. She’s biting her lower lip, and her gaze is downcast. I hate seeing anything but happiness on her face.
“So, what did you think of Lester’s place?” I ask.
After seeing her expression, I’m desperate to get her mind off whatever she’s thinking about. Plus, I could use a distraction right now as well.
She peers up at me for a moment, then turns her focus straight ahead.
“It was nice. I could see myself living there.”
My stomach drops. I don’t want her to leave the cabin.
“Yeah, it’s probably not an awful place to live, if you like grumpy old men.” I’m careful to keep my tone light.
She snorts and laughs simultaneously, and her cheeks immediately turn intensely red. I found out the secret word for it that she thinks only she and Layla know—snuckle.It’s incredible how quickly you can get information from a six-year-old when twenty dollars is involved.
“I figure I can handle it. I like grumpy younger men, so how different can it be?” She playfully bumps her hip into mine.
“Hey, I’ve not been so grumpy lately, right?”
She tosses me one of those radiant smiles that, as far as I can tell, she reserves just for me.
“No, you’re right. Now there are only hints of him.” She hesitates for a split second, but it’s long enough for me to notice. “Though I saw a little bit of him when I asked you to step outside so I could talk with Lester. Why are you so against my living there?”
I sigh, feeling like an asshole for being so obvious.
“It’s for completely selfish reasons. I don’t understand why you won’t stay in the cabin.” She opens her mouth to voice her objections, I’m sure, but I put a hand up to stop her. “I know the reasons that you shared, and I respect those concerns, but in the larger scheme of things, people are going to find out that we’re together. I think the benefits of your staying in the cabin far outweigh any potential negatives.”
“Oh yeah? What do you see as the benefits?”
“Well, there’s the obvious, like the fact that we would live very close to each other and be able to see each other as often as we wanted. Then there’s the enormous benefit that it’s close enough for you to walk to work. That would save wear and tear on Teresa.” I notice a smile unfolds on her face when I call her car by the name she’s given it. “Plus, it’s more of a home than the trailer or an efficiency. It has distinct rooms and a separate kitchen where you can cook, like you enjoy.”
“I don’t really mind the space difference. I don’t need much room to feel comfortable. But the cabin is beautiful, and it’s much closer to Meadow Creek.”
“What’s in Meadow Creek that the distance matters to you?” She’s really given no clue where she is going and what she is doing on the nights that she’s not around. Every Tuesday, some weekend nights, and every other Saturday, she goes somewhere for a few hours. I’ve learned her schedule well enough to know that those days are out for spending any length of time with her.
I’m watching her, and her mouth opens as though she’s going to speak, and then it closes again. There’s something she’s keeping from me, and I’ve not been able to get her to open up about it.
When I’m sure she’s not going to say anything more, I return my attention to the trail. That’s when I see it.
Less than twenty feet away is the entrance to the trail that my dad died on. How did we get here so quickly? My entire body tenses, and I slow my gait.
Delaney stops walking and looks at me.
“I know we haven’t been walking for that long, but I think we should turn around.”
