Then I take a bite of the muffin, and it might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
So my good morning continues.
Ben must recognize how happy I am. He slides an arm around me and gives me a squeeze. Then leans down to murmur into my ear, “All good?”
It’s better than good. I’m not sure how or why it happened, but the future is no longer one bleak narrow road. It’s opened up to wide vistas and gently rolling hills and an ever-changing cast of sunlight. I have no idea what might be waiting around each curve or incline, and it’s so much better that way.
I beam up at Ben. “All good.”
Two weeks later,Ben and I are taking a hike. It took some doing to convince him I’m ready for such a long exertion, but he finally caved.
And I feel good. Really good. I’ve got my hiking boots on and my pistol on my hip and my hair wound up in a knot to keep it out of my way. The mountain breeze is brisk and fresh, and the sky is clear and sharp.
I love it. I love all of it.
Ben keeps sneaking glances at my face, and I know it’s because he’s pleased to see me so happy. He’s happy too, and it’s impossible not to see how much.
“Have you thought about how long you wanna stay here before we go back?” he asks as we stand at the top of the trail and look down at the autumn landscape, the hills rippling like a rumpled quilt.
“I don’t know. What were you thinking?”
“I’m thinkin’ what I always think. I go where you go. Always.”
I pull down his big head for a quick kiss before I say, “Well, I don’t see any reason to rush back. We can’t join up with the others for a few more months, and there’s not all that much we can do alone. Maybe we can leave about a month early so we can spend a few weeks with Teresa, Mason, and the kids.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“That gives us a lot of time to enjoy being here.”
“Sure does.” He searches my face quickly. “You’re not gettin’ restless? Thought maybe you were.”
“I was getting restless to get more active, but I don’t need to jump back into the fight right away. I’m actually enjoying getting a break from that. You’re not bored, are you?”
“Never. One thing’s for sure, no way to get bored when I spend my life with you.”
We’ve madeit down the mountain and are walking beside a country road that curves through the trees for a few more miles before it reaches Halbrook.
Since we’re not in a hurry, we’re taking our time, and we step off the road as a courtesy when we hear an engine approaching.
It’s an old pickup truck from the old world, still rattling along the road decades after it was built.
Ben waves. Around here, he waves at everyone we pass.
The man driving the truck lifts his hand off the steering wheel in a brief gesture, but I don’t like the looks of him. I couldn’t even explain why.
Then, as the truck passes, I see a woman in the back.
It’s hard to tell because the vehicle is moving quickly, but something sounds alarm bells in my mind at the sight of her. Her expression is strained. She’s sitting awkwardly with her arms behind her, like her wrists might be bound. And her lips move when she meets my eyes.
Help.
It happens in the space of a few seconds, but I’m convinced she’s asking for help.
Ben must see the same thing because he runs to the top of the hill to look down at the truck as it drives away. “I see where it’s turnin’ off,” he says when I catch up. “Not much down that gravel road.”
It’s been a long hike. I haven’t done this much activity since I was shot. I’m tired and was looking forward to a rest this afternoon.
But I saw that woman’s face, and it spoke to me.
