“We did not finish the bluff yesterday. We should begin to terrace it, while I still have supernatural strength.”
I didn’t agree. Grant was fading. We ought to try something less complicated. “I’d rather we started on the trails. They’re so visible. When the owners see the results, it’ll be reassuring to them.”
“Very well.” Grant handed me a pair of gloves. “How shall we divide the labor?”
“It’s fine for you to tell me what to do.”
We worked in quiet communion, as I followed his completely effective grunts for direction. Another hour passed before we heard the faint shush of approaching feet.
“Hello,” someone called.
We both looked to the bend in the trail. A woman approached, stunning and elegant, her filmy mint sundress fluttering in the breeze.
Recognition arced through me in a painful jolt. It was Camarin Paxton. My brother’s Being.
No, please. No!
Grant took a step forward and held out his hand, palm up. “Camarin, it is a delight to see you again.”
She touched her hand briefly to his, her smile almost shy. “It is?”
“Indeed, but why have you come?”
“To offer my assistance...”
Her voice sent my body into total lockdown. Muscles frozen, jaw tight, hands clenched.
Their mouths moved, yet the words were muted. Even though the sun bathed us in golden heat, chills skittered across my skin.
I’d been doing so well at boxing up my worst memories. They weren’t gone; they had just been contained somewhere manageable.
Camarin’s appearance shredded my delusions of control, unleashing images that whisked me back to a February afternoon. I was in a sunroom with shrouded windows, its tile floor cold against my legs as I listened to my brother’s moans. Oh, dear Lord, those agonized moans.
And that voice. That smug, bossy voice.
Let it go, Sean. I’ve got this.
It didn’t matter that I’d misjudged Camarin, that her actual intention had been to serve Sean faithfully. My heart associated her with misery and desperation.
Her gasp drew me back to the present. “Sara, is there anything wrong?”
Of course, there was. Our history had always been wary to the point of hostility, and it wouldn’t get better until I apologized. But that wouldn’t happen today, not while my visceral reaction prevented me from functioning. I clutched Grant’s wrist and looked into his eyes, pleading for...I didn’t know what.
“Sara. It will be fine.” He drew me into his embrace.
I pressed myself against his chest, my head swimming and my body shaking, afraid to face her.
“There is no reason for fear. Trust me.” He settled me more securely in his arms. “Camarin, perhaps you should leave.”
“Oh. I am sorry.” She sounded subdued. “I shall go.” Her footsteps receded down the path.
Regret pierced my daze. If she left, I would lose my chance to set things right. And Scott continued to be worried about the wedding site. I could sense it under his smiles. If the presence of an extra person could ease his concerns, I should grab it for him.
“Stop.” The words croaked out in a hoarse whisper.
She spun on her heel and watched us cautiously. “Pardon?”
“Camarin can stay.”
