I caught his laughing eyes and huffed. Of course I was joking. He and I would never suit.
“Can you taste the sea yet?” he asked. The terrain had become rocky and rough. “We are nearly there.”
“Does the walking path run all the way down?” We shouldn’t climb down. The house was already too far away.
He looked instantly contrite. “No. But the view ahead is incredible.”
I furrowed my brow. “Charlie, where exactly are you taking me?”
He kept to my pace and stole a sideways glance. “There is a cliff—”
“A cliff?” My heart stuttered, and I stopped walking altogether. “Heights are not on the list, Charlie. As you are well aware.”
“Please?” He ducked his chin. “I want you to experience this, and I promise to keep you safe. Let this view be my gift to you.”
“For what?” I narrowed my eyes.
He shrugged. “For beingyou.”
His words were so simple, so plain, but the earnestness in his eyes somehow cut through my fears, warming me through.
I wanted to oblige him, to make him happy. I wanted, despite my fears, to share a memory, a view, that was just ours. I took a few steps. “Well, then, this better be good,” I called over my shoulder.
He chuckled and followed closely.
More of the sky came into sight the longer we walked, and my thinly stretched nerves shredded into pieces. Charlie had seen me at my worst before, but still I wanted my dignity. Perhaps the drop would not be as dizzying as I feared. But if it was, I would not let Charlie see my terror. I paced faster, hurrying ahead.
“Be careful,” Charlie called from behind. “The cliffs are incredibly steep. Stay far back, Rosalind. I mean it.”
I believed him, but I had no idea how true his words were until, at last, the sea came into view. Spreading out as endlessly as the sky, more and more blue appeared far down below where I stood. I sensed the edge before I realized how close it was, and the awareness of danger prickled at my skin. Wind from the sea pushed me back as fear spread into every muscle, every limb, and I trembled, paralyzed with the thought that one single gust might tip me over.
“It is beautiful, is it not?” Charlie said when he reached my side, watching the edge all the while. Then he saw my face, and his excitement turned to worry.
“Rosalind? Are you breathing?”
“I cannot move,” I managed. My body shook with tremors. “I cannot move, Charlie.”
His eyes locked with mine, and his hands held my arms. “You can, Ros. I am here.”
I nodded, but my jaw was shaking too much for a response.
“Did you look over the edge?”
I shook my head. I could not even if I wanted to.
“Will you? If I help you?”
“I shall c-certainly fall,” I said. “Please, Charlie, take me back home. This is not safe.”
“You won’t fall.” He almost laughed but seemed to think better of it. “I will take you back home if you wish it, but I do not want you to miss this. Will you trust me?”
His eyes bored into mine. When we first met, I’d thought him anything but safe. But now? He’d been my most trusted companion these past weeks.
“Of course I trust you.”
“Then take my hand. I promise to keep you safe.”
His hand slid down my arm and wrapped around my fingers. I grasped hold of him, leaning against his side. His warmth was a welcome distraction. I concentrated on my breath, holding tightly to both his hand and his arm. With every half step we took, the sea reached closer, but my eyes focused on the grass at my feet. My legs felt like jelly.
