Fledgling (18 page)

She leaned in closer, resting her forehead against his and closed her eyes. He rested his hand gently on her neck and could feel her heartbeat go from a quick sporadic beat to a slower, controlled rhythm within a few minutes.

Ana leaned in until her lips brushed against his, like a butterfly’s wing gracing the tip of a flower. She pulled away with her eyes closed and whispered, “I think with practice. I can do it without causing my heart any trouble.”

Chance smiled, his own heart pounding away, and laughed, “At least
I
don’t have to worry about
mine
.”

Serious again, he touched her cheek. “Thanks for telling me. It must have been hard for you. It’s better now that I know. I knew something was off.” He combed down her stray hairs while suppressing the unease that left him feeling vulnerable.

“How did you know?”

“Well, you got tired after our walks. Your fingers and lips are always purple.” He reached up, touching the tip of his finger to her lower lip. He hesitated to say the next thing, concerned she would be uncomfortable.

Ana probed, “What?”

“One day I noticed the faint scar on your chest.”

Ana reached up and placed her hand over her scar. “Why didn’t you ask me then? If you noticed so much, you must have known something was wrong. Why didn’t you just ask?”

Chance held her gaze while he answered, “I thought if you didn’t want to tell me, then I wasn’t going to ask. I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me-It didn’t really matter
what
your secret was.”

Ana breathed out her response in gratitude, murmuring, “Thanks-I never realized. I knew you understood me-I just didn’t know how well.” She smiled at him.

She felt lucky, something completely foreign to her. She reached down and held the Thunderbird talisman between her fingers while the anxiety in her stomach lifted away.

Eva’s voice broke the quiet, lifting above the trees, “AAAANNNNNNAAAAA!” The loud call disturbed nearby birds, making them take flight.

“She hasn’t gotten to see me yet. We should go back.”

Before Ana could raise herself from the ground, Chance was standing next to her with his hand extended. She accepted his help, and was lifted upright slowly.

Chance held her for a moment making sure she wasn’t lightheaded and smiled to reassure her. Bliss radiated from her after sensing his protectiveness. This was something she could adjust to.

She didn’t need to be strong enough to endure in silence any longer. Finally, she had someone to lean on for support.

As they walked hand in hand into the house, Melissa and Eva watched them with silent, cautious eyes. Ana knew what they where wondering, and put their curiosity to rest, “It’s okay-I told him.”

The relief was obvious on Melissa’s face as she sighed, rubbing her temples and Eva shrugged as though it never mattered much anyway. Eva embraced her sister so tight that Ana coughed in surprise.

Eva smiled and said, “I missed you today. Mom told me you have to go back in two weeks though. Can I go to
that
one?”

Ana and Eva turned to their mother who was frowning already. She seemed bothered, and took a minute to respond. The pressure built in Eva’s lanky body. Ana felt a tighter hold around her waist, forcing her to touch her sister’s arm in reminder. Eva loosened her grip and looked back at her mother in disappointment, assuming the long silence could only mean one answer.

“I’m not sure what to do about that. I just started this job, and my boss has been very understanding, but I’m just not sure if I can take another day off so soon. Tera said that she could take you Ana, but then Eva would be waiting around all day as well-and, now, don’t get mad, but I just don’t want you there, Eva.” Melissa lifted her brows as a challenge to Eva’s pouty lower lip. “I’d rather you stay in school. The clinic’s no place for you-you should be with your friends continuing your daily schedule.”

Chance held his hand out hoping to say something. “
I
can take Ana. It’s not a problem taking the day off. My parents wouldn’t mind, and to be honest I’d prefer being there than waiting here. If it’s okay with you.” He was asking politely, but Ana heard the determination lacing the offer.

Unable to hide her emotions, Melissa embraced Chance, only able to whisper, “Thank you.”

Chance flushed in embarrassment, uncomfortable with all of the attention. “I should probably leave you guys to relax, after your long day. I have a couple things I need to do anyways.”

“Okay, Chance. Thanks, again. We’ll see you later.” Melissa smiled and dabbed at her reddened eyes with a Kleenex.

He shuffled out of the house with Ana beside him.

They stopped at his truck and he secured her against him, initiating their goodbye. Ana welcomed the intimacy, now that her protective barrier had been splintered into oblivion. There didn’t seem to be any reason left to push him away, except habit. A habit she was cautious to break.

Chance pulled back some stray hairs from her bewildered face and tenderly said, “I’ll call you later. We can set something up for tomorrow-if you’re up to it.”

Ana nodded, speechless, and then backed away from the truck. She watched him drive off in silence, as the numbness crept in. The day had proven to be overwhelming. There was so much for her to process. She had not been prepared for Chance’s response.

She stumbled through the front door and into the welcome arms of her mother, who was waiting in the living room. Ana began crying so hard, at first it was silent, and then it grew into a torrent of gasping breaths and sobs. Melissa smoothed her hair and rubbed her back in large circles.

“I know Baby, it’s been a long day.”

Chapter 24.

“What are you going to work on at Aunt Tera’s today?”

“She’s gonna show me how to make pot roast,” Eva said excited, her eyes wide. She slipped a notebook into her backpack with bold block letters written on the top,
Recipes
.

“Mmm, can’t wait to try it,” Ana said enthusiastically, flinging her bag over her shoulder.

Over the last two weeks, while Ana bathed in the refuge Chance offered, Eva had been hanging out at Aunt Tera’s house everyday after school, becoming her aunt’s sidekick.

From the regular exposure to Aunt Tera’s cooking prowess, Eva’s knowledge expanded past hitting buttons on the microwave and boiling water. Now a budding chef, she discovered a whole new frontier she had never been exposed to before.

Melissa and Ana watched in awe as Eva flitted across the kitchen, grabbing pans and fresh ingredients, creating nutritious dinners that she planned with Aunt Tera’s help, most of them edible.

Aunt Tera was exuberant having a little apprentice to teach her abundant, ever-flowing knowledge to. This included having another set of watchful eyes to monitor Uncle Jace’s activities. He found himself stymied in the act of many ‘innocent’ attempts at new construction projects around the house.

Tera cheerfully vetoed most of his plans, citing sound or code ordinances. Eva stood in awe of her aunt, speculating how she knew such rules, wondering if she made them up.

With Eva occupied, Ana was able to enjoy her time with Chance even more.

She looked forward to their walk that afternoon. It was their last opportunity to relax and unwind before the trip up to Spokane the next day. Ana was trying not to think about the outcome of the procedure, and was focused on how Chance was taking it. He was soldering on in silence, which made her nervous.

Gripping the steering wheel of her van she drummed her fingers in rhythm with the radio music, and glanced over at Eva who was content, doodling in her notebook.

Ana stared at the lines on the road, and recalled the last couple of weeks. She and Chance savored their time together along hidden trails that entwined the mountainside behind his house, but never got very far before Ana required a rest. Chance waited, like a silent guardian by her side until she was able to continue, offering his hand when needed.

She grinned recalling how she ambled beside his powerful body feeling like the tortoise being escorted by the hare. An unlikely pair, though neither was interested in the finish line.

Nothing could match her blissful contentment right now; a strange new emotion which took some getting used to.

The elementary school came into view, and Ana dropped Eva off at the curb.

“Bye, Ana. See you later-have fun today!”

“Bye, D. Love you!” She waved as she pulled away.

Throughout the day Ana noticed how quiet Chance seemed. Every time she faced him and smiled, he returned a grin, but his eyes were distant and gray.

Now, staring at familiar scenery flying past her window as he drove, Ana turned and watched Chance’s face. His features were tight and drawn, and she wondered what he was thinking about.

Chance glared at the cloudy gloom outside, the weather matched his mood. While he drove up the hill he recalled that earth shattering night Ana revealed her secret.

After leaving her house, he sped home to tell his family. His mother was saddened, yet not surprised, explaining how after speaking with Ana she suspected something was being withheld. She grilled Chance on Ana’s condition so she could teach him more about it. But he sat with deaf ears, unable to hear anything.

Niyol remained silent, offering no response. He scrutinized his grandson with concern. That night he took Chance out for an evening hike so they could talk, although that did little to calm Chance’s fears. Grandfather couldn’t offer him what he wanted. Maybe he wanted too much.

He frowned and tightened his grip on the wheel, his knuckles turning white.

Ana looked at him from the corner of her eyes, scooted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, and he felt himself relax at her touch.

“So-did you let the school know you’re going to be absent tomorrow?” Ana asked, keeping her tone calm and light.

“Yeah-turned in a note. Also printed out the directions and filled up the truck. Ready.” But the tone of his voice said otherwise.

“So am I. I have everything I need packed in my bag.” Ana touched his arm and added, “Don’t forget I’ve done this plenty of times before-it’s old hat.” She sat up and played with her necklace between her fingers, regarding him from the corner of her eye.

“Right…I keep forgetting.”

Ana caught the distressed twitch of his hands, his fingers grasping the wheel so tight, they blanched from pressure.

The familiar sloping roof came into view and Chance visibly relaxed when he saw it, breathing out with a soft hiss.

After popping into the house to greet his father and grandfather, they went back outside to take one last walk before their road-trip the next day.

The habitual walking always satisfied. No longer needing to ask, it was assumed they wished to be outside together.

“Are you nervous?” Ana asked Chance and reached for his hand as they began along one of the trails that lead south down the mountain, through a dense grove of pine trees.

Chance grabbed Ana’s cool delicate fingers and attempted to hide his fear. His thumb brushed hers in a skittish movement as he answered, “A little.”

His own issues seemed like distant memories, giving him momentary relief, only to be replaced with another obstacle. Ana’s failing health caused him constant anxiety, keeping him on edge, making him irritable with his family. If only he could
do
something to help her. He feared losing her and couldn’t accept the thought of her in pain.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just a simple procedure-I’ve done it plenty of times.” She rubbed his shoulder with her free hand.

“I know. I just
hate
thinking about you lying helpless. I just don’t like it,” he frowned.

“Thanks for caring.” Ana kissed his cheek affectionately, trying to lighten the mood.

Chance slowed down, knowing that at this point in the trail Ana usually required a rest. He turned with a softened expression, something he reserved for Ana’s eyes only and caressed her cheek, evoking a shiver down her spine like a feather being drawn down her back.

“Of
course
I do.” A half bewildered and crazed expression touched his eyes, shocking Ana. He saw her surprise and calmed his intensity, pulling her near. He wanted to kiss her but held himself off, waiting to see if she was ready.

Ana leaned in, letting her lips brush against his, keeping it brief to retain control of her hysterical heart. His hands grasped her shoulders and she opened her eyes seeing a hunger reflected within his. He withdrew almost painfully, forcing his focus to the trail. A slight frown crossed his face and he dug his hands into his pockets.

“I want to take you someplace new. It’s just up ahead. Take another minute to rest and I’ll lead you there.”

His eyes traced the branches above as they sat on some mossy stones lining the well worn trail. Distracted by mountain jays flitting between trees, they allowed the forest to ease their minds. After Ana’s body calmed, she stood and found Chance at her side almost immediately. His quick movements were often hard to anticipate. It was something she admired but didn’t understand, as well as his overly observant nature.