See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(47)

“I wish she would have listened to him. Do you know how hard it is to be an adult with a name like Izzy?" I asked, but I knew that I would keep that name no matter what. It was something of my mother’s that no one could take from me.

“Don’t think you are distracting me from my shotgun call. That shower is mine buster," I said before turning back to the shower.

After we both got cleaned up, we moved to the couch and watched a movie on my tablet. Ian found the Count of Monte Cristo and labeled it the only even remotely manly movie in the mix. We sat there watching the movie for about an hour before Kennan resurfaced. He came into the cabin dripping wet and looking just as pent up as when he had taken off.

“Can we postpone that ward lesson for the day?" he asked gruffly.

I just nodded as he moved his way toward the bathroom. The shower kicked on and he came out a few minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist. I was hoping it would fall, but no such luck. He grabbed some sweatpants and pulled them on, followed by a t-shirt. He dropped himself into the closest chair as Ian and I continued to stare at him.

“What?" he asked.

“Oh, nothing, we were just wondering if we could go ahead and start with the memorial service. We have been waiting on you there big guy," Ian said.

“Oh gods, I am sorry, Izzy. I totally forgot," his eyes filled with remorse.

“It’s okay, we still have time. But I think we might have to do it around this fire, because I really don’t think we will get one started out there," I said, pointing toward the now pouring rain outside.

“That would work just fine," Ian said as he piled more logs on the fire.

We spent the evening sitting on the floor in front of the fire exchanging stories of my mother. Both of them had far more memories to add than I. I laughed and cried as a mother I did not ever really get to know was honored. I was struck with how much of an imprint she had left on both Ian’s and Kennan’s hearts, and I wanted so much to be like her. I wanted to be able to change people the way she had, and leave such goodness behind. I hoped that I could honor her memory with my life.

We went to bed as the flames turned to embers. I slipped towards my room, as Kennan followed close enough to be my shadow. He leaned down as I reached the door and kissed me on my forehead and then my cheek. He sighed deeply before relinquishing his hold on me. I looked up into his eyes, awestruck. I wanted so badly to kiss this man, but I knew he was holding back. I did not want him if I could not have it all. So I stepped away from him and whispered my good night as I shut the door.





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NINETEEN





The next few weeks passed without much excitement. I continued working on my escape routes and my training with both Ian and Kennan. Ian was like a drill sergeant during our training, but would revert back to his jovial self immediately afterward. Lessons with Kennan were torturous. I wanted to focus and learn about wards and protection spells. My attraction to him made that a rather difficult prospect. I was sure that we spent more time restraining ourselves than we did with the lessons.

So the days went on. I found myself getting stronger and my reflexes growing sharp. I went through all of my hikes solo. I even managed to do the overnight hike on my own without freaking out. We discussed where I would go if something happened, and who to contact. I spent my days training and hoping that whatever was coming, I would be strong enough to face it. I went to sleep every night waiting for Xavier, but never finding him. It wasn’t until four weeks later that I had another vision and finally knew what needed to be done.

I was sitting in the living room after a long day of training, debating Ian’s methods of instruction, when I was struck by a vision. I heard a glass break and muffled voices as my surroundings disappeared.





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I was back at the bridge collapse, only this time there were two images. One superimposed over the other. I tried to remember what was happening and stood still long enough to get my bearings. This time it was easier to recognize the vision for what it was. I took in my surroundings, and saw in one vision a gaping hole where a bridge once stood, and the other held a bridge that was free from traffic. The latter had construction vehicles parked all around with detour signs for any oncoming traffic.

I tried to focus on the scene of the ruined bridge and remember what my mother and Kennan had taught me. I looked in all of the cars for a newspaper, cursing the new digital age with each failed attempt. Finally, I reached a car that had a paper folded under a briefcase. I saw the date was a mere week away. I looked for anything that might help me know where I was and saw a sign on the bridge saying it was the Bidwell Bar Bridge. I looked further to see if I could find any signs indicative of where this bridge might be. I found a sign saying highway 162. Well, that would probably be enough information.

Just as I was about to pull out of the vision, I saw Xavier standing on the other side of the yawning gap. He looked at me and smiled, and I did the most unladylike thing I had done in a long time. I flipped him the bird before pulling myself out.





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“Izzy, are you okay?” Ian asked, sounding shocked.

“Yeah, I am fine. I just had a vision. I know where Xavier expects to get his next big pay check. Well, at least I have a general idea and time. I also know we can stop it," I said as I looked down at the shattered coffee mug on the floor.